K-drama Adoption Storylines Are Making Positive Strides, But There’s More Work to Do
“Having diverse characters leads to endless possibilities for storytelling. And there are infinite ways to tell an adoptee’s story…”
Author: Jae-Ha Kim
Go Away With … Ariana Ron Pedrique
“When I was a kid, my family would take me to Isla Margarita,” said “Ayar” actress Ariana Ron Pedrique. “We would go to all these beautiful beaches and eat empanadas for breakfast down at the seashore. This is by far one of the best memories I have of growing up in Venezuela.”
“Hellbound” (지옥)
Director Yeon Sang-Ha (“Train to Busan”) adapted “Hellbound” from his own webtoon of the same name. He makes it clear that cults are the true sinners, which manipulate people’s lives with fear. And that hell isn’t necessarily a place foreign to us, because it’s where we may already be living.
Getting Better All the Time: 7 Ajeossi Actors You Love to Watch
Being an ajeossi isn’t a pejorative. As Gong Yoo, Hyun Bin and Lee Jung Jae have proven, there is beauty to being successful and in demand in your late 30s and beyond. More power to these fine gentlemen.
Chili Crunch Oil
You know those chili oils at Chinese restaurants that come with your meals? I am a huge fan of spicing up my food with those. Though none of the jarred oils are as delicious as the homemade ones, some of them as still pretty darned tasty. I’m talking about you, Momofuku.
Lee Min Ho in the States: The Talk of the Town!
Lee Min Ho will next be seen in “Pachinko.” Given his recent visit to Los Angeles, we think it’s time to revisit “The Heirs,” which was partially filmed in Huntington Beach, California.
Go Away With … Nikki DeLoach
“’Five More Minutes’ is a movie about hope and faith in the face of loss and grief,” said Nikki DeLoach, who stars in the Hallmark movie inspired by Scotty McCreery’s hit song of the same name. “I lost my dad three months ago, so while this movie was emotionally hard for me, it was very healing and a way to honor my dad.”
Was BTS Just Lucky? Nope.
Did luck and timing play a part in BTS’ success. It’s important to remember that luck isn’t just something that happens while you’re sitting around doing nothing. As Jungkook said in an episode of “Burn the Stage,” “We’ve been lucky, but we worked hard for that luck.”
Go Away With … Sarah Brightman
“I always follow the food, because if you go to an interesting restaurant or street vendor, you will find yourself in an interesting square, and that square could be a palace, or a store or an art gallery,” said soprano Sarah Brightman.
“The Bros” (부라더)
Seok-Bong and Joo-Bong are estranged brothers who reunite for their father’s funeral. Neither one remembers having a close relationship with anyone in their family and dread the thought of spending time with them.
“You Are My Spring” (너는 나의 봄)
“You Are My Spring” stresses the importance of mental health care and normalizing treatment for everyone, rather than as something that’s just for the clinically insane. And … There’s also a serial killer element.
“Chief of Staff” (보좌관): Season 1 & 2
Lee Jung-Jae and Shin Min-A star as a political dream team working for opposing candidates. He is a former police officer, whose goal it is to become an assemblyman. She was an attorney and on-air journalist before becoming an assemblywoman.
“Dr. Brain” (Dr. 브레인)
If you could tap into the brain of a dead person (or a cat, yes, a cat) in order to save a life, would you? That’s the premise behind “Dr. Brain,” the first original Korean series to make its debut on Apple TV+.
“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (갯마을 차차차)
“Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” is one of those slow-moving K-dramas that makes viewers wish they had the same kind of relationship as the characters do — not just with love interests, but with their friends.
Top 5 Reasons “Young Lady and Gentleman” is a Must-See
Are you watching “Young Lady and Gentleman” yet? If not, you’re missing out on charismatic stars, girl power, adorable child actors and true love.
Go Away With … Dar Williams
“I walked in one park every day and watched it change with the seasons,” said singer-songwriter Dar Williams. “I’m a big walker but watching one place go through all these changes was very meaningful to me. Also, the wildlife really came out in force. I felt like we were all sharing the world.”
“Hit-and-Run Squad” (뺑반)
I’m so used to seeing Jo Jung-Suk play the good guy (“Hospital Playlist,” “Oh My Ghost”) that it was fun to watch him chew up the scenery as a bad-boy rich guy who is brutal, immoral and nasty.
Go Away With … Misty Copeland
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California, Misty Copeland understands her role as a trailblazer in the classical dance world. She is the first Black female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre.
“My Name” (마이 네임)
You know how in most action series, there is that one guy who can fight a team of gangsters, get stabbed and bounce back into action in no time? In “My Name,” that guy is a kickass woman.
Go Away With … Philipp Maximilian
“Being a part of a Disney blockbuster wasn’t anything I thought I could ever dream of,” said “Jungle Cruise” actor Philipp Maximilian. “Jean-Vincent Puzos built the most incredible sets for us, so filming this movie was like being a kid in a candy store for a Disneyland nerd like me. Jesse Plemons (Prince Joachim) and I had so much fun playing around with my character, Axel, and coming up with a lot of silly stuff.”