Go Away With … Pictoria Vark

January 30, 2024April 26, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

“My favorite memory from my travels was when we were on tour in 2022 in Ventura, California, and I went paddleboarding by myself between load-in and soundcheck,” said Victoria Park, who performs under the moniker Pictoria Vark. “It was in this weird harbor and I thought it wasn’t going to be that cool because it wasn’t out on the ocean, but there was a whole family of seals resting on the docks and barking at each other. I got to be way closer to them than I would’ve otherwise. It’s a cherished moment I have just with myself.”

IU’s Evocative “Love Wins All” Music Video (featuring V) is Thought-Provoking

January 23, 2024March 16, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

It’s not easy for two well-known celebrities to immerse themselves in their roles so well that we don’t see them, but rather their characters. But watching IU’s music video for “Love Wins All,” I didn’t see pop stars IU and V, but rather a pair of anguished characters who were trying desperately to survive in this post-apocalyptic inferno.

Go Away With … Park Inje

January 23, 2024April 26, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

“When I was young, I wanted to go to Hollywood to shoot movies,” said Park Inje, who directed “Moving” and “Kingdom.” “I always learned from and studied Hollywood movies. But I think right now my dream is very simple. And it’s just to keep working on projects.”

Sistar19: Inside the K-Pop Duo’s Comeback

January 16, 2024January 21, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

Hyolyn and Bora talk about their first new music in seven years, how K-pop has changed over the years, and their dreams for the future. My latest article in Rolling Stone magazine.

Go Away With … Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix

January 16, 2024April 26, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

“We always love to tour in Japan,” said Pentatonix’s Mitch Grassi. “The Japanese culture itself is so beautiful and welcoming to us, and the crowds are so full of love.”

Go Away With … Shoji Morimoto

January 9, 2024April 26, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

“The percentage of my personal life has decreased considerably,” said Shoji Morimoto, author of the international bestseller “Rental Person Who Does Nothing”. “This is because I need to have more time outside for my work, rather than spending quiet time at home with just my family. However, it does not mean that I prefer either time more than the other. Both ways in which I spend time are equally important.”

South Korea is reckoning with the death of beloved ‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun

January 7, 2024January 8, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe speaks to syndicated columnist Jae-Ha Kim about the scandal that led to the death of beloved South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun. Note: This conversation has mentions of self-harm.

They Call Us K-Culture

January 2, 2024January 7, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

I was the first guest of 2024 on Phil Yu and Jeff Yang’s podcast, “They Call Us Bruce.” We discussed K-dramas, BTS, Lee Sun-kyun’s tragic death and how annoying it is when non-Asian members of the media co-opt our stories.

Go Away With … Alanna Ubach

January 2, 2024April 26, 2024 Jae-Ha Kim

“We filmed ‘Ted’ on the Universal Studios lot in Los Angeles – about a stone’s throw away from my all-time favorite theme park ride, Jaws!,” said actress Alanna Ubach. “I kept pinching myself every time I’d hear screams and laughter coming from the trams.”