“Where Are You Really From?”
“Where Are You Really From?” Why many Asian diaspora don’t like being asked this question
Go Away With … Miist
“I don’t think I have a worst vacation memory ,” musician Miist said. “Well, OK, I had 20 mosquito bites in the first hour in Bora Bora. But I would still go back.”
Go Away With … Catch The Young
For westerners, K-pop has become the umbrella term for any artist performing songs in Korean (and usually dancing along). But South Korea has a long history of pop and rock artists who don’t adhere to that stereotype. Catch The Young is the latest band to showcase their musical dexterity as much as their singing.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ is a viral smash that crushes the songs
NPR invited me to talk about “KPOP Demon Hunters” on their “Pop Culture Happy Hour” podcast.
Go Away With … Shannon Purser
Emmy-nominated actress Shannon Purser is best known for her work in “Stranger Things” and “Riverdale.” But she’s also a talented musician who pens contemplative songs like her latest, “Leave (Good Ending).” More recently, she was part of the cast of the stage production “La Cage Aux Folles.”
I Eat Scalding Hot Soup in the Summer and You Should, Too
I am a bit of a weirdo when it comes to my food choices. My son will point out that I am always cold during the winter. But I still add ice cubes to most of my drinks and seek out ice cream. But when it comes to my love of hot (and spicy) stews in the middle of a summer heat wave, I have science to back up my choice. OK, maybe culture is the better descriptor. I don’t know. You tell me.
Go Away With … ATEEZ
The K-pop group ATEEZ has grown accustomed to breaking barriers. Since launching their career in 2018, the octet has had seven Top 10 albums in the Billboard 200. Their single, “Lemon Drop,” made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 in June. And their ongoing [IN YOUR FANTASY] world tour includes concerts in stadiums across the United States, as well as ballparks like Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
The ‘Squid Game’ finale answers questions, then raises one more
NPR invited me back on their Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast to discuss the third and final season of the Korean series “Squid Game.”
Not Every Korean Actor Can Sing and Dance — It Just Feels Like It Sometimes
By Jae-Ha Kim Substack July 1, 2025 The past few days have been disgustingly hot (and humid). None of that dry heat for us in Chicago. So…it just felt like the right time to share […]
Go Away With … Atsuko Okatsuka
“Big cities are more welcoming,” said comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. “There’s one city in particular where weird things happen all the time. I won’t name it. I’d been ni hao’d on my way into the theater I was performing at.”
7 Best K-Dramas of 2025, So Far
2025 isn’t over yet, but it’s already been an exciting year for some of the best K-dramas. Though “Squid Game” has come to an end (for now) that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of Korean dramas to obsess over.
“Our Unwritten Seoul” (미지의 서울)
Park Bo-young beautifully captures the nuances of both sisters and the struggles that each deals with daily. “Our Unwritten Seoul” presents everyday choices that may seem too much to bear, but also offers the kind of realistic hope that’s better than a pat, happy ending.
Ew, the VIPs are back in “Squid Game 3” and They’re as Horrible as Ever
The VIPs are back in the third season of “Squid Game” and they’re as insufferable as ever. Acting wise, the characters may actually be worse, sounding more like Sylvestor the Cat exclaiming “sufferin’ succotash” than a group of hedonistic oligarchs. Seriously, couldn’t the creatives have spread a wider net to cast actors who could…act?
“Squid Game Season 3 Finale and That Surprise Cameo Ending, Explained
With this third and final season of “Squid Game,” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk ties up loose ends in this blood bath, which kills off almost all our favorite players (and some we hate). Park Sung-hoon and Im Si-wan stand out portraying the best and worst of us.
Go Away With … Arden Cho
“’KPop Demon Hunters’ has been one of my absolute favorites, because Rumi is legit the coolest character,” Arden Cho said. “If I was a teenage girl, I feel like I would want to be Rumi. I’m still kind of geeking out that I get to be her voice.”
Ahn Hyo-seop Talks About Playing Jinu in “KPop Demon Hunters”
“I hope that KPOP DEMON HUNTERES reminds people that we all have darkness within us, and sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to just face it,” said Ahn Hyo-seop, who provides the voice of Jinu. “And at its core, this is a story about finding the strength to trust your own voice and move forward. So I hope it offers comfort and courage to those who actually really need it.”
“KPop Demon Hunters”
While “KPop Demon Hunters” could’ve been a cutesy story about a boy-crazy girl group flirting with a boy band, there is a strong subtext here with a profound message. The secrets that we keep and the lies that we tell may have started off innocently enough. But they ultimately lead to our downfall unless we deal with the truth.
Go Away With … Andy McCluskey of OMD
Now almost 50 years into their career, OMD is back on the road, playing in cities across the United States. On a break from their tour, Andy McCluskey chatted about the group’s early beginnings, some of the memorable venues they’ve played and how they stay fit on the road – hint, it includes dancing.
“Mercy for None” (광장)
If you enjoy the John Wick franchise, So Ji-sub’s “Mercy for None” will be right up your alley.
Go Away With … NOWZ
A couple months after celebrating their group’s first anniversary, NOWADAYS changed their name to NOWZ, indicating that they’re ready for a fresh start. This summer marks an important time for the five-man K-pop group. They recorded a new song, “Fly to the youth,” which features their label mate YUQI, from the girl group i-dle. And the group is eagerly looking forward to visiting Los Angeles in August to perform at KCON – which has been likened to the Coachella of Korean culture.