Go Away With … Maria Menounos
“Greece is unbelievable, and not just because it’s the motherland,” laughs Maria Menounos. “The food there is amazing. I was eating so much homemade food that had fresh ingredients in it.”
Author: Jae-Ha Kim
Press Passes
I have a slew of press passes from concerts and red carpet events. The event that I was thrilled to cover was the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. John Kennedy Jr. was there and, as could be expected, he was very charismatic and charming. But the celebrity I was most excited to see was…Chris Rock! He and his date were alone behind a roped off area.
Go Away With … Misty Copeland
Ballerina Misty Copeland has the distinction of being one of the few African-American soloists in the world of ballet. In her newly released memoir “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina” (Touchstone Hardcover, $24.99), Copeland chronicles her tumultuous childhood, a late start in dance (she was 13) and joining the American Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet as a teenager.
If you want something for nothing..
Who doesn’t like a nice freebie every now and again? 😉 It’s easy to win! Good luck!
Go Away With … Les Stroud
I asked “Survivorman” Les Stroud if he ever felt he wouldn’t make it out of a situation. He said, “No. There are areas like in the middle of the Amazon jungle that have more than their fair share of dangerous moments. But I’ve done this a long time. I’m careful. I’m prepared and know how to survive.”
What exactly is “kimchee-scented Kleenex fiction”?
The worst book review I’ve ever read. Maureen Corrigan’s take on a Korean novel reeked of enthocentric entitlement.
Memories
Like a lot of Koreans of their age, my parents survived war and led very difficult lives. Books were an escape. My dad used to joke that had he learned Russian instead of English, we may have immigrated to the (then) Soviet Union instead of America.
Go Away With … RuPaul
RuPaul talks to me about some of his travels, including his early trips: “Well, my father was a gambler. We lived in San Diego at the time. He’d take us down to the race tracks. He’d take us to Tijuana. I would’ve preferred to do something else at the time. But looking back, they were good memories.”
“The Good Wife” is great
If you’re going through withdrawal as I am, now’s the perfect time to catch up on the previous seasons of “The Good Wife.” And for one lucky winner, I’ve got a box set of the fourth season to giveaway. #WinWithJae
Go Away With … Alana Blanchard
Surfer Alana Blanchard says the food in Sri Lanka was amazing: “We went to this town and went to this little restaurant that used to be a house and paid something like $2 for all-you-can-eat vegetables with spices. It was such a treat for me, because I’m vegan.”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day is sold as a day of romance, where you buy each other romantic gifts. And, if you’re alone, well, too bad for you. But Valentine’s Day really should be a day about love, not just romance.
“Shatter Me” trilogy
“Shatter Me.” “Unravel Me.” “Ignite Me.” Here’s your chance to win Tahereh Mafi’s best-selling trilogy! #WinWithJae
Go Away With … Tahereh Mafi
“I’ve definitely taken favorite bits and pieces of the places I love and reworked them into the stories I write,” says Tahereh Mafi, author of the popular “Shatter Me” series. Her latest, “Ignite Me,” in stores now.
“Diana”
I’ve got a new Blu-ray to give away. Actually, I have three! The lucky winners will each get a Blu-ray (or DVD) copy of “Diana,” starring Naomi Watts as the Princess of Wales. #WinWithJae
EXO continues to “Growl”
Super rookie K-pop boy band EXO continues to raise eyebrows, in a good way. The 12-member boy band was nominated for song of the year, new artist of the year, and top song for dance and electronic music with “Growl” at the Korean Music Awards. The group made its mark in the music industry where its first full-length album “XOXO” (Kiss&Hug) became a million-seller for the first time in 12 years.
Wannabe Girl Writer vs. Mommy Blogger
In which a male author calls me a “wannabe girl writer,” and then asks me to write about his book.
Go Away With … Molly Ringwald
As John Hughes’ muse, Molly Ringwald starred in a trilogy of films (“Sixteen Candles,” “Breakfast Club,” “Pretty in Pink”) that sweetly encapsulated the teen angst of the ’80s. Now 45, Ringwald (who played the mother of the lead character in the series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) is also an author.
Tae Kwon Do
The other day, my son and I were talking about bullies, and how it’s important not only to protect yourself, but to also look out for children who are getting picked on. I told him how I had been picked on when I was little.
Pororo Gift Pack Giveaway
Pororo is getting the movie star treatment, with a 103-minute DVD release in the United States, featuring the vocal talents of Drake Bell, Rob Schneider and Jon Heder. To celebrate, I’m hosting a gift pack giveaway that includes the movie, toys, a backpack and more! #WinWithJae
“The Little Penguin: Pororo’s Racing Adventure” (뽀로로의 슈퍼 썰매 대모험)
So, what the heck is a Pororo, you ask? If you can’t tell by the cover, it’s an adorable little animated penguin. In South Korea, where the “Pororo The Little Penguin” series made its debut in 2003, it’s the show for the preschool/kindergarten set. While it airs in more than 80 countries around the world (including Brazil, Australia, France, India and the United Kingdom), the show never made a concerted effort to break the U.S. market.