11 Best K-dramas of 2020
11 Best K-Dramas of 2020: Rivals, Lovers, and Slow Burning Intrigue. These shows are must-watch television. My latest for Teen Vogue.
Author: Jae-Ha Kim
Cozy Up With These K-Dramas This Winter
The Christmas holiday means long weekends and more time than ever to settle down with a big bowl of popcorn (or ramen!) and bingewatch to our hearts content.
Go Away With … Sarah Brightman
“I was right in the middle of my Hymn world tour and had to postpone various tour dates in China and South Korea, which I hope to have rescheduled some time in 2021 to 2022,” said Sarah Brightman. “I do love touring and visiting incredible countries around the world and seeing fans, but I have enjoyed spending time at home with my dogs, as it is such a rarity.”
Go Away With … Amber Nash
“I’d love to spend a month in Thailand,” said “Archer” actress Amber Nash. “We had a trip scheduled for 2020, but that’s not happening. I want to spend time at an elephant sanctuary and on the beach. It’s incredibly affordable once you get there.”
What are Korean Men Really Like in Real Life?
With the worldwide interest in K-dramas comes some stereotypes about Korean men — many of which are far from the truth.
“Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol” (도도솔솔라라솔)
“Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol” had a promising start that was spoiled by an ending that came out of nowhere.
Thanksgiving and K-dramas? Why not?!
Happy Thanksgiving! But this year, how about watching some K-dramas along with football? Anyone?!
Go Away With … Dexter Darden
“So many people travel and get upset when it’s not like America,” said Dexter Darden, who is one of the stars of the “Saved by the Bell” reboot. “Abandon all privilege and immerse yourself in their lifestyle.”
BTS’ Global Press Conference for “BE (Deluxe Edition)”
By refusing to allow naysayers to define who they are or who they should be, BTS have remained true to themselves. And with their latest collection of songs, they are encouraging their fans to also just … BE.
Will K-pop’s BTS or Blackpink get Grammy nominations finally? Boys’ single, Dynamite, and girls’ debut album ought to help
The South China Morning Post recently interviewed me to chat about BTS and the upcoming Grammy nominations: “If BTS aren’t nominated this time, it’s not because of their lack of talent,” said Jae-Ha Kim. “All it will mean is that the Grammys are as clueless as they were in 1989, when they handed the trophy for best hard rock/metal performance to Jethro Tull, rather than Metallica.”
Go Away With … Daphne Maxwell Reid
“I do miss my international travel opportunities, which I usually have at this time of the year,” said Daphne Maxwell Reid. “I have had the pleasure of taking a few plane rides under very strict precautionary measures, the last being to Los Angeles to shoot ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion’ special for HBO Max (for) our 30th anniversary.”
A.C.E Talks Exclusively to KOCOWA about K-dramas!
“(Starring in ‘Twenty-Twenty” was) a very precious and unforgettable memory,” said A.C.E’s Chan. “The role of Sohn Bo-hyun was the best fit for me and the personality was the same as myself in real life. I enjoyed every second of the shooting. I am also very happy that I could play this role with great actors, actresses and staff.”
Are 3M’s Command Reusable Hooks Really Damage-Free?
3M advertises its Command Damage-Free Hanging strips as being … damage-free. Overall, the hooks worked well. But when I removed one of the hooks, a good chunk of my wall’s paint came off with it.
“Record of Youth” (청춘기록)
“Record of Youth” is Park Bo-Gum’s swan song before he enlisted to serve his mandatory military duty in South Korea. While it’s meant to be a traditional love story, the friendship between the three male leads and the woman Park loves was the real draw.
Go Away With … Garfield Wilson
“Working on ‘Snowpiercer’ was very special, considering the current climate,” says actor Garfield Wilson. “Casting was very cognizant to have an incredibly diverse cast and how that diversity can be portrayed on the show as a commentary on our present-day society.”
Go Away With … Linda Perry
4 Non Blondes vocalist Linda Perry said she is a light packer: “I can leave with only a toothbrush. I am a light packer. I don’t like to bring a lot and I feel (like) if I need something, I can just buy it. That’s what you end up doing anyways when you go somewhere — we consume.”
Go Away With … Pia Mechler
“I first traveled (to Japan) as a kid with my father, who was a flight captain for a big German airline,” said “Devils” star Pia Mechler. “I was lucky to have seen many exotic destinations already at a young age, but Japan took my breath away. It’s a culture clash between the hyper-modern and the extremely traditional. I have loved it ever since and I cannot wait to travel there again.”
Jessi Ho’s Journey to Superstardom
In a different world, Jessi may have been a part of Girls’ Generation. However, the New York-born rapper wanted a different kind of career. But like many Korean American entertainers, she had to leave the U.S. to pursue it.
Go Away With … Lisa Roth
“I remember taking the train from Boston to Miami to visit my grandparents when I was four,” said “Rockabye Baby” co-founder Lisa Roth. “We stayed in a hotel with a huge pool, which was all very exciting. I clearly remember climbing out of the pool with a tummy ache, climbing into my mother’s arms and throwing up into the front pocket of her polka dot, terry cloth coverup. It was a perfect aim and a great trip.”