When Strangers Destroyed Our Korean Lunch
To them it may have been smelly and weird. To us, it was a taste of home.
Category: Musings
Losing My Korean Didn’t Make Me Any More American
Back in my era, the teachers encouraged immigrants to only speak English at home so that we wouldn’t fall behind. But what they didn’t know at the time — or perhaps they didn’t really care about — was that in the rush to make us understand English, many of us lost our ability to converse in our birth language.
On Being Reprimanded for Writing About More Than 1 Korean “Boy Band”
To many misguided editors, one Asian is enough. Two Asians is overkill. Three Asians will get you called in to the office to be reprimanded. And also… Epik High is not a boy band. But they wouldn’t know that, would they?
Do Koreans Swear?
Do Koreans swear? You betcha! You’ve probably heard them plenty of times in your favorite K-dramas, but they weren’t subtitled as such.
Would “Friends” Work in the 2010s?
I’ve always been one who has loved TV and never understood people who said, “I don’t watch TV.” I love TV and wish I had more time for it. I really don’t watch much TV these days — not because I don’t want to, but because of lack of time. When I do have an hour or two to spare, I watch K-dramas (Korean Dramas). They’re just more interesting to me now.
South Korea’s Criteria for Military Exemption is Outdated
BTS’ Kim Seok-jin announced today that he is preparing to enlist in the Korean military, which is required of all able-bodied Korean males. There are exceptions for athletes, classical musicians, and some academics. So why didn’t the Korean government exempt BTS, whose global achievements are unparalleled?
What Makes BTS Standout?
Boy bands generally don’t get a lot of respect from journalists regardless of what language they speak. But if BTS was a white boy band singing in English, I’m positive their songs would get more attention and radio play.
And the Haters Gonna Hate, Hate, Hate, Hate, Hate
Combatting racism isn’t accomplished by whoever makes the first social media post or writes the first article. It’s a lifelong commitment that focuses on the victims —all of them — and not just one specific group that you happen to favor.
The Social Significance of BTS in the U.S.
I’m most grateful that Asian American children today have pop culture role models who look like them. It’s so important for children to see themselves represented. When I was my son’s age, there were no famous artists in the U.S. who were talented, young, handsome, great role models AND Korean! I’m so happy that he has BTS to listen to, laugh with and look up to.
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.”
Stan Culture’s Ugly Habit: Making Things Up
It shouldn’t matter what language a group chooses to sing in. And yet, it has become a huge deal in K-pop, with some stans saying BTS are sellouts for singing their last three singles in English. I disagree, just as I defended Monsta X when they released an album sung all in English. But that’s not how some people chose to remember it.
All Aboard the Pile On
Minority journalists should have the same opportunity as white reporters to tackle prestigious assignments. Maybe their take won’t be better than their white colleagues. Maybe they will. But how will we ever know if they’re not given a chance?
These Are a Few of My Favorite Tweets
The very nature of Twitter is that tweets roll by and then disappear — or, rather, get hidden by a mountain of more recent tweets. These are some of the tweets that I would like to remember.
Reader … That “Famous Journalist” is Me
IU, D.O., V, Suzy, Park Hyung-Sik and Chanyeol are a few of my favorite Triple Threats. Who are your top picks?
Being Held to a Higher Standard
Here’s the thing: Mistakes happen. Sometimes they’re our mistake. Sometimes the outlet inputs errors. Sometimes parts of the review or article are cut out due to space issues. It’s not the end of the world. And unless we specifically say that we hate your favorite member, just assume that we don’t, OK?
Say What You Mean & Mean What You Say
Chris Pratt’s and Lisa Kudrow’s reactions are my favorites! 😂 They take such glee in reading the tweets, which were intended to mock them. Honestly, that’s how trolls should be addressed — with humor and a little appropriate pettiness.
Happy 2020!
It’s the first day of the new decade and I want to approach every day — or as many days as possible — like Park Hyung-Sik’s character does in “Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon.”
Favorite Tweets: 2019
The very nature of Twitter is that tweets roll by and then disappear — or, rather, get hidden by a mountain of more recent tweets. These are some of the tweets that I would like to remember.
A Korean, Aussie, Frenchman on Twitter: Mayhem Ensues
A Korean journalist, Australian woman and a French man run into each other on Twitter. Mayhem ensues.