Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
It’s not easy for two well-known celebrities to immerse themselves in their roles so well that we don’t see them, but rather their characters. But watching IU’s music video for “Love Wins All,” I didn’t see pop stars IU and V, but rather a pair of anguished characters who were trying desperately to survive in this post-apocalyptic inferno.
“When I was young, I wanted to go to Hollywood to shoot movies,” said Park Inje, who directed “Moving” and “Kingdom.” “I always learned from and studied Hollywood movies. But I think right now my dream is very simple. And it’s just to keep working on projects.”
Hyolyn and Bora talk about their first new music in seven years, how K-pop has changed over the years, and their dreams for the future. My latest article in Rolling Stone magazine.
“We always love to tour in Japan,” said Pentatonix’s Mitch Grassi. “The Japanese culture itself is so beautiful and welcoming to us, and the crowds are so full of love.”
“The percentage of my personal life has decreased considerably,” said Shoji Morimoto, author of the international bestseller “Rental Person Who Does Nothing”. “This is because I need to have more time outside for my work, rather than spending quiet time at home with just my family. However, it does not mean that I prefer either time more than the other. Both ways in which I spend time are equally important.”
NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe speaks to syndicated columnist Jae-Ha Kim about the scandal that led to the death of beloved South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun. Note: This conversation has mentions of self-harm.
I was the first guest of 2024 on Phil Yu and Jeff Yang’s podcast, “They Call Us Bruce.” We discussed K-dramas, BTS, Lee Sun-kyun’s tragic death and how annoying it is when non-Asian members of the media co-opt our stories.
“We filmed ‘Ted’ on the Universal Studios lot in Los Angeles – about a stone’s throw away from my all-time favorite theme park ride, Jaws!,” said actress Alanna Ubach. “I kept pinching myself every time I’d hear screams and laughter coming from the trams.”
Following Lee Sun-kyun’s death, you are going to read a lot on social media and in newspapers about how South Korea has the highest overall suicide rate of all countries. And while someone will surely write a think piece about South Koreans being predisposed to dying by suicide, it’s important to remember how South Korea came to be an economic powerhouse and how its citizens’ well being was secondary to the country’s greatness.
“I’m currently planning a trip home to Kauai,” said Vie En Rose founder Malea Rose. “I haven’t decided my New Year’s Eve plans. I’m a last-minute gal. But I’ll be traveling to the most beautiful places in Thailand in February to visit the set of [the third season of] ‘The White Lotus.’ I’m super excited!”