Idols and Actors: BFFs!
V and Park Seo-Joon. Jungkook and Yeo Jin-Goo. EXO’s D.O. and Jo In-Sung. Which are your favorite idol/actor bromances?
Go Away With … Katherine Castro
Born in the Dominican Republic, actress Katherine Castro (“Someday”) has a minimalist’s approach to hitting the road. “Travel light,” she says. “Less is more. If it doesn’t fit in your carry-on, you don’t need it.” A resident of West Hollywood, Castro says it’s helpful that she speaks several languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Arabic), but stepping outside of your comfort zone can make trips an enjoyable learning experience regardless of your level of fluency.
Go Away With … Karen Fukuhara
Best known for playing Katana in “Suicide Squad,” Karen Fukuhara will next be seen in the Amazon series, “The Boys” (premiering on July 26). Her resume also includes the feature film “Stray” and Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.” An avid traveler, the actress says she’d like to explore Southeast Asia next.
Doyoung, Ryan Reynolds and Jungkook on “The King of Mask Singer”
What do NCT 127’s Doyoung, BTS’ Jeon Jung-Kook and “Deadpool” himself, Ryan Reynolds, all have in common? The A-Listers have all appeared on “The King of Mask Singer.”
Go Away With … Margaret Brennan
“Face the Nation” moderator and CBS News’ chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan has seen the world. She has reported stories from Havana, Kabul, Beijing, Tehran and throughout the United States. “A lot of the traveling that I have done is for work,” says Brennan. “I’ve been to spots in Afghanistan and Iraq that are lovely, too, but I wouldn’t put those on travel itineraries.”
BLACKPINK: Variety Show Princesses
Everyone already knows that BLACKPINK are polished performers who slay at their concerts. But the quartet also is quite at home on variety shows. Funny, smart and not afraid of making fun of themselves, Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa are sought-after guests.
Go Away With … Howie D
Nearly 20 years after their last No. 1 album, the Backstreet Boys’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their latest release, “DNA.” As the group prepares to kick off their North American tour, Howie D (born Howard Dorough) is also celebrating the July 12 release of his debut children’s album, “Which One Am I?”
We Will Miss You, D.O.!
Though he could’ve gotten an extension, EXO’s D.O. chose to enlist on July 1 to begin his mandatory military duty. It’s a fact of life that all able-bodied South Korean men have to serve their country in the armed forces. K-Pop idols aren’t exempt from this, no matter how famous they are.
Kim Soo-Hyun is Back!
Hallejuah! July 1st is a great day for Kim Soo-Hyun fans. The “My Love From The Star” actor will be discharged from his mandatory military duty.
We’ll Always Have “Descendants of the Sun”
Are you as sad as we are? Superstar couple Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye-Kyo have announced their plans to divorce.
BTS’ ‘Bring the Soul: The Movie’ Gets Global Theatrical Release
BTS will be back on the big screen this summer. The Korean pop group announced today that their latest feature film, “Bring the Soul: The Movie,” will have a global release on August 7. It arrives just six and a half months after the septet’s last film release, “Love Yourself in Seoul.”
Go Away With … San Holo
Better known by his stage name of San Holo, Dutch DJ, guitarist and producer Sander van Dijck, 28, says that he often finds inspiration for his music in his travels. “Traveling has affected my music a lot,” he says. “Seeing new places and meeting new people — it always gives me fresh insights and new perspectives on life, which tend to have an effect subconsciously when I write music.”
“Ms. Hammurabi” (미스 함무라비)
Like most Korean dramas, there is a love triangle in “Ms. Hammurabi.” The difference is that there are so many interesting plots developing here that I cared more about the human rights issues that the judges were fighting for than the romance.
Stay Cool This Summer with KOCOWA’s Rom-Coms!
If you’re like me, watching K-Dramas is a year-round event. But in the summertime when you’re tired of swimming and want reprieve from the sun, there’s nothing better than watching a fun rom-com, Korean-style. So grab a bowl of cup ramyun and some Pepero sticks and get started.
Go Away With … Tim Lounibos
Veteran actor Tim Lounibos (“Hawaii Five-0,” “Criminal Minds,” “NCIS”) is best known for his portrayal of Ed Sung on Amazon’s “Bosch.” Well-traveled and always ready to explore, the actor said he learned a valuable lesson from his treks around the world. “We all might look different and have differing perspectives, but we’re all essentially the same.”
Speak Yourself
When stan culture gets in the way of critical thinking, it doesn’t benefit anyone — least of all the groups we love.
Who’s Your Favorite K-Drama Appa?
Ahn Nae-Sang is one of my favorite actors. He has a small role in this K-Drama, but it’s pivotal. He plays the king, who prepares his son (played by Kim Soo-Hyun) for his role as the nation’s leader. He comes across as cold in the beginning, showering little affection of either of his sons.
Go Away With … Avan Jogia
Born in Canada, Avan Jogia came to the United States with a challenge. His parents gave him six months to get an acting job or return home and finish school. He has remained in Los Angeles ever since. Best known for his roles in Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” and STARZ’s “Now Apocalypse,” he can be seen in Samuel L. Jackson’s reboot of the feature film, “Shaft.”
Do You Know Jung Hae-In?
You probably know of Jung Hae-in from K-Dramas such as “Something in the Rain” (also known as “Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food”), “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” and “While You Were Sleeping.” His latest series is “One Spring Night,” where he plays a single dad and pharmacist.
Go Away With … Nathaniel Potvin
“My first trip I took as a child was to New Orleans,” says “Five Points” actor Nathaniel Potvin. “When I was there, I hated it. As my mom describes it, I was sick with an ear infection. How could you not hate that? But I recently went back and loved it. It is truly an amazing town full of good food and the best jazz.”