“Answer Me 1994” (응답하라 1994)
“Answer Me 1994” aims to leave viewers guessing as to which man Na Jung will marry. But more interesting is the lifelong friendship that these seven college roommates share.
Author: Jae-Ha Kim
Go Away With … Tim Love
Chef and restaurateur Tim Love is one of the stars of CNBC’s series “Restaurant Startup.” The reality show helps potential restaurateurs by investing money in new restaurants. He says one way he keeps on top of culinary trends is via travel. “Cooking is really not the hard part,” says Love, 44. “When you travel, you experience different cultures and see how they do different things. This inspires me to incorporate new ideas and experiment with different cuisines, ingredients and flavors.”
“Answer Me 1997” (응답하라 1997)
Everything that “How I Met Your Mother” did wrong (including its series finale), “Answer Me 1997” does right. Funny and poignant with superb acting by the entire cast, the series tells the story of 6 childhood friends whose lives are intertwined through adulthood. Kudos to K-pop Hoya (of the group Infinite) for his thoughtful (and unstereotypical) portrayal of a gay teenager who is in love with his best friend; and to the writers for not portraying it as “weird.”
Go Away With … Dominic Monaghan
Actor Dominic Monaghan says he enjoyed one of his best meals in Bengaluru, India. “I arrived at a beach and a gentleman asked me if I was hungry. I told him I was. He told me to go swim in the ocean and when I got back, he would have food. I watched him from the sea build a fire and make some bread. By the time I’d returned, he had made me a fantastic spicy chicken tikka and fresh naan bread. It was the best meal I’ve ever had and it cost me about $2.”
Sam Smith’s brush with racism
Singer Sam Smith got skewered on social media for a series of tweets. After witnessing his friend being abused due to his race, Smith said he was astounded that something like this could happen in London. His tweets clearly were well intentioned. But some folks wondered how he could be so naive as to not know that these things happened on a somewhat regular basis to people of color — especially since the anti-Muslim, anti-Pakastani, anti-Syrian sentiment in the U.K. has been covered extensively in the media there.
“Noble, My Love” (고결한 그대)
This 2015 Korean rom com is very pleasant on the eyes. The leads — Bang Sung Hoon (“Oh My Venus”) and Kim Jae Kyung — both have model good looks and share some really fun scenes. Though you know going in that the poor-nice-girl-meets-rich-cold-boy storyline will end with a wedding, I was happy to be on board. But, the main problem I had with this short series was the insufferable control issues that were played off as cute, rather than creepy.
Go Away With … Matt Marinovich
Author Matt Marinovich says that his ultimate excursion would involve his career. “As a writer, I would love to be able to cover a true crime story that would lead me to strange places across the country, preferably in a mid-sized rental car,” says Marinovich, whose latest thriller — “The Winter Girl: A Novel” (Doubleday, $24.95) — is set in the Hamptons. “I’ve always envied the backstory of how Truman Capote became involved with ‘In Cold Blood.’ It was one of the most memorable books I’ve read.”
“Ghost” (aka “Phantom”) (유령)
“My motto is, ‘Don’t believe anything with a mouth.'” That’s sound advice, coming from Kwon Hyuk Joo (aka Crazy Cow), the head of the cyber unit. And that’s also good advice when trying to figure out who’s telling the truth in this 2012 police procedural.
“The Master’s Sun” (주군의 태양)
As with many series, “The Master’s Sun” would’ve benefited from some judicious editing. Too much time is spent on whether or not this couple will get together. We all know they will end up together. That’s a given. The real meat of the storyline is Gong-Sil’s ability to put restless souls at ease. When she goes all Nancy Drew and he revs up his inner Remington Steele, they are perfection.
Go Away With … Isidora Goreshter
“Shameless” actress Isadora Goreshter says, “There’s nothing in the world quite comparable to Los Angeles, but I have visited Russia with my family and was able to see where my roots come from. I am first-generation American, so I was raised immersed in Russian culture, art and food; so Russia, in a way, reminded me of my childhood home.”
“Oh My Venus” (오 마이 비너스)
An easy to watch romantic comedy, “Oh My Venus” has its flaws (the fat shaming could’ve been toned down). But, overall, it’s a fun, addictive series that lives up to the hype. So Ji Sub and Shin Mina are the cutest couple ever and I seriously ship them. The chemistry these two share is strong!
“One Sunny Day” (좋은 날)
Ji Ho has just had his heartbroken, but it’s not so easy to feel sorry for him. He knew his girlfriend was engaged to another man, but that didn’t stop him from having a long-term affair with her. When she finally calls it off, he becomes even more solemn than usual.
“Always” (오직 그대만)
Don’t let this sunny photo fool you. “Always” (오직 그대만) just about broke my heart. Both So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo are appealing in their roles. They convey the right emotions, without being maudlin or resorting to histrionics. Some might say that the ending was cheesy, but I found it to be delightful and full of hope.
“Once Upon a Time in High School” (말죽거리 잔혹사)
Released in 2004, “Once Upon a Time in High School” is set in 1978. During this time-frame, South Korea was ruled under the brutal dictatorship of Park Chung-hee (the father of Korea’s current president Park Geun-hye). The movie depicts a bleak period where students had few rights and teachers could beat them at will. There’s a trickle down factor to that kind of abuse. The boys settle their differences not with words, but with fists, chairs and bats.
“I’m Sorry, I Love You” (미안하다 사랑한다)
A popular K-Drama starring So Ji Sub, “I’m Sorry, I Love You” (“미안하다 사랑한다”) is an uneven drama dealing with love, revenge and redemption. Too long at 16 hours, the series relies on its lead actor’s charisma to make up for the plot holes.
Go Away With … Adam Rosante
If you ask celebrity fitness instructor, Adam Rosante, what his goal is he’ll say that it’s to help people live healthy lives. One way of keeping your life in balance is with travel, he says.
Go Away With … Brendan Coyle
“Downton Abbey” fans immediately recognize Brendan Coyle as John Bates, the valet and former British Army batman to the Earl of Grantham in Julian Fellowes’ period drama series. Coyle, 52, now stars in the Esquire Network’s series, “Spotless,” where he portrays an East London mob boss named Nelson Clay.
Taekwondo: Kicking, punching, way of life
I’m not delusional enough to think that taekwondo lessons will make my son the victor in a schoolyard brawl. That’s not how “street fights” work. But, I do think that if he fought back, the other child would shed a tear or two, too. And, sometimes, that’s what it takes to make a bully leave you alone. I’m really proud of him for not resorting to violence. But, we have also told him that if he can’t run away from a fight, he should defend himself — and we will defend him.
Go Away With … Olga Fonda
Raised in Ukhta, Russia, actress Olga Fonda came to the United States to study and was later discovered by a modeling agent. A former competitive dancer who’s also proficient in krav maga and karate, Fonda puts her talents to good use on TNT’s “Agent X.” On the series, she portrays a fearless Russian spy.
Go Away With … Tia Mowry
Sixteen years after Tia Mowry became a household name on the sitcom, “Sister, Sister,” the busy actress stars in two series. She appears on TV Land’s “Instant Mom” and “Tia Mowry at Home,” her own lifestyle show on the Cooking Channel. Married to actor Cory Hardrict, she says her family travels all the time and never tires of it.