What Happened to Kim Sae-ron was a Tragedy
Two things can be true: You can commit a crime, and you can atone for your actions without being harassed to death. But that wasn’t the case for actress Kim Sae-ron.
Category: Reviews
Young Posse’s Music Video for “Cold” Addresses Abandonment & Objectification
The K-pop girl group Young Posse released the stunning music video for “Cold” on March 2. It’s by far one of the most meaningful videos I’ve watched in a long time — maybe since K. Will’s “No Sad Song for My Broken Heart” and IU’s “Love Wins All.”
All-Time Best K-dramas
Each of us has our own favorite K-dramas that are informed by our own personal experiences (and access). For instance, I was never able to get my hands on South Korea’s early dramas like “Death Row Prisoner,” which premiered in 1956. Therefore, my picks are influenced by what I’ve seen, which are primarily shows from 2000 onward.
“Study Group” (스터디그룹)
Being No. 1 certainly is an achievement. But what “Study Group” tells us is that the process of learning is the true achievement, and that these small victories are worth celebrating.
“Melo Movie” (멜로무비)
This emotionally-engaging show is less of a rom-com than it is a slice-of-life K-drama that explores how familial loss greatly impacts who we are today.
“Bogotá: City of the Lost” (보고타: 마지막 기회의 땅)
There is a lot going on in “Bogotá: City of the Lost” — shootings, explosions, backstabbing. But when it’s all over, you realize that it was mostly much ado about nothing.
Teo Yoo: The “Past Lives” and “The Recruit” Star Gets Real
An interview with the Korean German actor on why he joined the cast of “The Recruit”
“Squid Game” Season 2 heads back into the arena
NPR invited me back on their Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast to discuss the second season of the Korean series “Squid Game.”
“Squid Game Season 2” Ending Explained: Major Character Deaths, Plot Twists, and More
“Squid Game” season 2 introduces a whole new set of compelling characters. Will they make us forget fan favorites like North Korean defector Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) and Pakistani immigrant Ali (Anupam Tripathi)? No, but the star power of veteran K-drama stars, including Park Sung-hoon (“The Glory”), Park Hee-soon (“Moving”) and Im Si-wan (“Misaeng: Incomplete Life”), is a nice concession to killing off nearly all of last season’s characters.
13 Best K-Dramas of 2024
It was an excellent year for Korean dramas — and with Squid Game season 2 on the horizon, there’s more to come.
“Love in the Big City” (대도시의 사랑법)
Based on Sang Young Park’s bestselling novel of the same name, the K-drama adaptation was overshadowed by the film version, which stars Kim Go-eun (Little Women) and Steve Sanghyun Noh (Pachinko). But this series is so relevant as it matter-of-factly addresses homosexuality — a topic not often depicted in South Korean media in any meaningful way.
“The Trunk” (트렁크)
Adding a twist to the contract marriage trope, “The Trunk” tackles the plot device from a film noir perspective.
“Family By Choice” (조립식 가족)
If there’s one thing this K-drama gets across, it’s that keeping secrets from children about their own history is never the way to go.
The Making of Jin’s Sweeping “Another Level”
Jin’s vocals on “Another Level” (from his debut EP “Happy”) blew away co-songwriter Ben Samama.
Big Ocean: Meet the Deaf K-Pop Group That’s Breaking Barriers
Big Ocean’s Hyunjin, Chanyeon, and Jiseok talk about their remarkable journey and what they want to do next. My latest exclusive for Rolling Stone.
“Love Next Door” (엄마친구아들)
“Love Next Door” is written as a love story between two childhood neighbors. And it is. But it’s also about loving yourself enough to follow your convictions, despite objections from those you love.
“No Gain No Love” (손해 보기 싫어서)
Starring Shin Min-a and Kim Young-dae, “No Gain No Love” falls into the contract marriage trope. But, oh, it offers so much more.
“Officer Black Belt” (무도실무관)
“Officer Black Belt” is an action-packed thriller starring Kim Woo-bin. Is it predictable? Yes? But is it a fun watch? Absolutely!
“Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror”
The Nth Room targeted Korean women in a lower socio-economic class who needed money. They also set their marks on underage girls, who were too young to handle what they had been tricked into. These crimes are continuing, but now with with teenage boys at the helm.
“Like Flowers in Sand” (모래에도 꽃이 핀다)
A mystery thriller as much as it is a wrestling saga, Like Flowers in Sand is set in a small town where everyone is obsessed with ssireum, traditional Korean wrestling.