Mirai Nagasu: Did You Know You’re an Immigrant?
Do you think it’s appropriate to refer to a person who was born in the United States as an “immigrant”? Yeah, me neither.
Go Away With … Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki — a world-famous, Grammy-nominated DJ and producer — has collaborated with artists such as will.i.am, Linkin Park and Fall Out Boy. Most recently, he worked on the remix of BTS’ hit single, “MIC Drop,” which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Known to foodies as the son of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, he does philanthropic work through his Aoki Foundation, which supports brain science and research areas.
Go Away With … Julia Marino
The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics will mark Julia Marino’s debut as an Olympian. A gold medalist at the 2017 X Games, the 20-year-old snowboarder specializes in Slopestyle and Big Air. A resident of Westport, Connecticut, Marino says that the best souvenir she hopes to bring home from Korea is a medal for Team USA.
“Go Back Couple” (고백부부)
If you could go back to your past, would you? And, if so, what would you change? That’s the premise for “Go Back Couple,” a thoroughly-enjoyable drama filled with charismatic leads and a plot that is both funny and touching — especially for those of us who are already parents.
Go Away With … Paxton Ingram
Born in Louisiana and raised in Florida, Paxton Ingram won over viewers with his magnetic personality and gorgeous vocals during his stint on “The Voice.” He says everyone expected him to pick Pharrell to be his on-air coach. Instead, he selected country superstar Blake Shelton. Ingram, 21, recently released the single “Bad Luck.” He will be performing a showcase at this year’s SXSW.
BTS: Boys to Men
I cringed at the way Vogue infantilized BTS by referring to the musicians repeatedly as as “boys.” The youngest member is 20. The eldest is 25. They are old enough to vote and serve in the military. Then, too, there is already the disgusting stereotype of Asian men as not really being men, but servile, effeminate boys.
Go Away With … Kenny Leu
Actor Kenny Leu was three months old when his family emigrated from Taiwan to the United States. Best known for playing Sgt. Eddie Chen in National Geographic’s series “The Long Road Home,” Leu also appeared on “NCIS” and “Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope.” A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in mechanical engineering, Leu resides in Los Angeles.
“Fish for Jimmy”
#SonOfJae reviews “Fish for Jimmy.” Katie Yamasaki’s beautiful book is based on her family’s real-life experiences and has been selected to be included in the newest version of McGraw-Hill Education’s anthology textbook for fourth grade students.
Go Away With … Erin Burnett
Host of CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” Erin Burnett has reported from Cuba, Afghanistan and Israel. Traveling is a big part of her life and the journalist says she is close to reaching her goal of exploring 100 countries. “I’ve visited 90, and I know I’ll always want to see more,” says Burnett, who is based out of New York.
“Somehow 18” (어쩌다 18)
Some might say that there is no way that a young man who looks like Choi Min-Ho (of the idol group SHINee) — even if he’s wearing glasses and having a bad-hair day — would be bullied. But what I liked about this casting was that it reinforces the point that no one is immune from being harassed. And no one is immune from being depressed and wanting to end their lives.
“Fight for My Way” (쌈 마이웨이)
One of the things I enjoy about Korean dramas is that many tend to focus of the main characters’ childhood friendships and how that camaraderie evolves into their adulthood. Such is the case here, where four friends grow up with each other and, eventually, end up falling in and out of love with each other.
Go Away With … Min Jin Lee
New York Times best-selling author Min Jin Lee spent four years in Japan doing research on her sweeping novel, “Pachinko” (Grand Central Publishing, $27), which was a National Book Award finalist. The time spent overseas provided valuable insight for the New Yorker, who “was based in Tokyo, but I traveled often to Kyoto and Osaka. I had to research Osaka extensively, because so much of ‘Pachinko’ was set there.”
Go Away With … Martin Garrix
Voted by fans as DJ Mag’s No. 1 DJ in the world, Martin Garrix was also handpicked last summer to be the face of Armani Exchange. Some of his collaborations include “Scared to Be Lonely” with Dua Lipa and “So Far Away” with David Guetta. Asked what he enjoys most about working with other artists, Garrix, 21, said, “I love to see how everyone works with music in a different way. I think for every artist, it’s interesting to see how someone else is working. Lana Del Rey is still on my wish list for collaborations and I would love to go into the studio with Shawn Mendes.”
Favorite Tweets: 2016 to 2017
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.
Honolulu Cookie Company
Recently, a work colleague sent me some Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread cookies. And they were gooooodddd. How good? About as good as the shortbread cookies I used to make way back when.
Go Away With … Aleks Paunovic
Stuntman, musician, boxer and active supporter of The Red Cross/Impact Anti-Bullying Campaign, Aleks Paunovic’s acting resume includes “War For the Planet of the Apes,” “Personal Effects” and Syfy’s “Van Helsing,” where he portrays an aggressive vampire named Julius. The son of a Croatian mother and Serbian father, the 6-foot-5-inch Canadian actor may next be seen in the Keanu Reeves feature, “Siberia,” and Liam Neeson’s “Hard Powder.”
Go Away With … Patrick Gilmore
Asked which of his characters he thought would make a fun travel buddy, Patrick Gilmore said, “Tom Drexler from ‘The Killing.’ He’d pay for everything — nothing but the best — and then he’d most likely get arrested and leave me to enjoy the trip by myself.”
Go Away With … José Andrés
Chef Jose Andres was no novice to helping people who suffered catastrophes. After Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey, he worked with local chefs to help feed the survivors. But those events didn’t prepare him for the devastation he saw when he landed in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit. Working with his nonprofit World Central Kitchen and local chefs, the Michelin-starred Andres set up shop in the parking lot of a stadium to feed anyone who needed a hot meal.
Why You Gotta Sue It?
That time I tweeted about being offered an interview … contingent upon them suing me if I wrote anything “negative” … and thousands of K-Pop fans said I was wrong to turn down that “great opportunity.” 🙄
Go Away With … Sam Heughan
Before moving to London at the age of 22, Sam Heughan studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The Scottish actor has returned to his roots to portray Jamie Fraser on the hit Starz series, “Outlander,” which is filmed in Scotland. Based out of Glasgow, the 37-year-old philanthropist also is the founder of My Peak Challenge, a charitable foundation that advocates for a healthy lifestyle.