K-DRAMA REVIEWS (INDEX)
K-CULTURE WITH JAE-HA KIM is the space where I curate my reviews and views about Korean-centric things happening in the pop culture realm (and beyond) that pique my interest…and I hope yours, too. Won’t you join me?
ENHYPEN Share the Secrets of Their Seven Remix Albums: “The Sin : Vanish”
The members of ENHYPEN take us inside the lore and the production styles of their individual takes on “The Sin : Vanish” remixes. I interviewed the Korean group in an exclusive feature article for Rolling Stone magazine.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
True story: When I was in college, we didn’t have access to The Internets like all you young whipper snappers today. So, instead of drooling over all the photos of food on Pinterest and Instagram, I used to look at recipe books and imagine that I could be eating that instead of the dorm food my parents had paid for.
Music, music, music
I’ll be updating this page periodically to include music that’s piquing my interest at the moment. Song of the day: “Pretty Baby” by Blondie.
Korean Influencer Describes Spouse as “Just a Housewife”
“When a country experiences such fast economic growth, it doesn’t give generations enough time to adapt to modern realities. You end up thrusting people into modernity without changing the structures around them. In South Korea, gender roles within households remain stuck in the past.” — Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin
Go Away With … Arianna Davis
Arianna Davis portrays a college cheerleader on the NBC series “Stumble.” As someone who started dance lessons at the age of two, Davis – who is also a singer-songwriter – is a perfect fit for this mockumentary sitcom, which delves into the intense and cut-throat world of competitive cheerleading.
Interviews (Celebrity Index)
David Bowie, Keanu Reeves, Britney Spears, PSY, Idris Elba, BTS, Matt Damon, Justin Timberlake, Venus Williams… Just a few of the notable folks I’ve interviewed. Click on the photo or the title to read my profiles. Enjoy!
Go Away With … Sarah Kinsley
“I am hoping to escape to a chateau in the south of France this summer,” said “Fleeting” musician Sarah Kinsley. “I’ve been so desperate to go to the Dolomites, the mountainside of northern Italy, at some point in my life. I don’t know if that will happen this year or maybe next. As long as I get to see them with my own eyes eventually I don’t mind when it happens.”
Katseye wants to be the biggest girl group on the planet
The Washington Post interviewed me to share my thoughts about Katseye and their relevance in the global pop market.
How The Korean Folk Song “Arirang” Ties In With BTS’ March Comeback
On March 20, BTS will make their long-awaited comeback with an album called “Arirang.” Since it was announced, fans and media have been speculating about the cultural significance of the title, the album cover possibly being an homage to a group of 19th century Korean students studying in the U.S., and whether the title hints at what kind of music listeners can expect on the upcoming record.
Go Away With … Henry J. Star
“Growing up in the American South as a mixed-race person made me acutely aware of the complexities of prejudice.,” said musician Henry J. Star. “This had a deep impact on my perspectives from a very young age. It has informed my creative voice in more ways than one.”
Bruno Mars and Rosé’s ‘APT.’ Is a Hit, But What Does the Song Mean? Lyrics Explained
The TODAY SHOW asked me to explain what Rosé and Bruno Mars’ Grammy-nominated ‘APT.’ means. So I did.
Go Away With … Tanner Beard
“Forth Worth has proven to be such a film-friendly spot,” said Tanner Beard, 41. “My family has a ranch just outside of Fort Worth close to the Mineral Wells area and it’s become like a back lot to explore ideas and stories for my company, Silver Sail Entertainment.”
Go Away With … ARKAI
As the duo ARKAI, violinist Jonathan Miron and cellist Philip Sheegog won a Grammy Award this year for their album “Brightside.” The electro-acoustic string duo vividly remembered how hard they worked for their first professional gig almost eight years ago in front of an audience that included global leaders.
Go Away With … Shintaro Sakamoto
“I don’t think I’ve ever written songs while on tour, ” said “Yoo-hoo” musician Shintaro Sakamoto. “I compose music when I’m alone at home. As for lyrics, I sometimes think about them while traveling, sitting in a car or plane, but I always finish them when I’m back home by myself.”
Catch the Young: A Group of Rocking K-pop Idols “Evolve”
Ahead of next week’s full-length album release, “Evolve,” the South Korean rock group CATCH THE YOUNG sat down with me for an exclusive interview.
Go Away With … Marissa Chanel Hampton
“I have been several times and it would be a dream to film something there that would hopefully center the city as a main character,” said “It’s Not Like That” actor Marissa Chanel Hampton. “It’s beautiful. Also, the Uffizi Museum is a favorite of mine due to their extensive Botticelli collection.”
Why Isn’t More Being Done to Stop the Stalking of Jung Kook?
While it’s easy to blame the K-pop system for encouraging parasocial relationships between fans and idols, experts told me that the modern “celebrity machine” in general emboldens stalkers.
Go Away With … Irene Sofia Lucio
“Puerto Rico has the longest winter holiday season in the world,” said “Liberation” star Irene Sofia Lucio. “So it is very hard to beat a Puerto Rican Christmas. It is not a white Christmas with hot cocoa and PJs. It’s hot, loud and busy. You don’t cuddle by a fire, you go out to the beach or to the outdoor market, or to Old San Juan and likely run into live music.”
“Made in Korea”
Made in Korea doesn’t flinch in its portrayal of corruption by both the Korean government and its strongest ally, the U.S. military. Director Woo Min-ho presents a Korea where there are no heroes, but rather desperate survivors caught in the crosshairs.