Tag: Japan

Go Away With … Alexandra Metz

Jae-Ha Kim

Alexandra Metz isn’t a doctor, but “The Pitt” star contemplated becoming one when she studied at Brown University. After graduating with a degree in human biology, she deferred med school for two years while she gave acting a shot. “On the surface, it felt like a perfect backup plan, making my [acting] choice seem less risky,” said Metz, who portrays Dr. Yolanda Garcia on the hit series. “At my core, though, I always knew I wouldn’t follow through with medicine, because I wasn’t excited by the journey. Acting moved me in an undeniable way. While I found medicine incredibly inspiring, I knew it wasn’t for me.”

Go Away With … Chloe Qisha

Jae-Ha Kim

“I’ve always said my ultimate dream would be a headline show at Red Rocks in Colorado,” said singer-songwriter Chloe Qisha. “There’s something about that amphitheatre that’s really legendary. At night, especially with how it’s lit, it looks beautiful. I also like venues where there’s staggered seating or standing because you can see everything clearly. It’s somewhere I’d love to see a show, but also somewhere I’d love to play.”

Go Away With … Stephen Bishop

Jae-Ha Kim

“When I was five, my mom took me on a bus from San Diego to Key West, Florida, to see my relatives, ” remembered “On and On” singer Stephen Bishop. “Looking back now, with a child of my own, I have no idea how my mom kept me sane with one comic book for almost five days. We did not fly. It was not fun. It was hot and exhausting. So was the ride back.”

Go Away With … VVS

Jae-Ha Kim

Leading up to the release of their infectiously catchy single, “Tea,” VVS released a series of enigmatic videos under “The 5 C’s” umbrella. The cinematic shorts presented the members as kickass warriors armed with swords, guns and roundhouse kicks – all of which was choreographed by “John Wick” stunt director Koji Kawamoto.

Go Away With … Gavin Rossdale

Jae-Ha Kim

Gavin Rossdale is the lead singer and songwriter for the British grunge rock band Bush and an occasional actor (“The Trainer,” “Constantine”). He’s also the host of his own VIZIO WatchFree+ cooking show, “Dinner With Gavin Rossdale,” where he has conversations with guests like Serena Williams, Brooke Shields, Selma Blair, Common and Sir Tom Jones over meals that he prepares for them.

Go Away With … Devin Kawaoka

Jae-Ha Kim

“Charlie is the kindest, most level-headed, ever-patient husband you could ask for,” Devin Kawaoka said of the character he plays on the new Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.” “He feels deeply, sees the best in people and is always up for adventure – or some quality time over a glass of wine. He’s easy! If that’s not a good travel partner, then I don’t know what is.”

Go Away With … Shoji Morimoto

Jae-Ha Kim

“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.”

Go Away With … Kearran Giovanni

Jae-Ha Kim

“I’m Black and I grew up in the South, so I can only say that I’ve heard certain countries aren’t friendly to minorities,” said “Walker” actress Kearran Giovanni. “But honestly, I’ve felt unwelcome in places within my own country my whole life so nothing can shock me at this point. It wouldn’t stop me.”

Go Away With … Kentö

Jae-Ha Kim

“You can hear these influences a lot in my music wrapped up in a little pop bow, of course,” said musician Kentö. “I grew up listening to singers from all over the world like Freddie Mercury, Ivete Sangalo, Ayumi Hamasaki and Sylvie Vartan. (They’re) very different artists, but all iconic voices that I tried to emulate growing up and, in my own way, shaped the style and tone of my voice today.”

Go Away With … Pia Mechler

Jae-Ha Kim

“I first traveled (to Japan) as a kid with my father, who was a flight captain for a big German airline,” said “Devils” star Pia Mechler. “I was lucky to have seen many exotic destinations already at a young age, but Japan took my breath away. It’s a culture clash between the hyper-modern and the extremely traditional. I have loved it ever since and I cannot wait to travel there again.”

Go Away With … Sarah Wayne Callies

Jae-Ha Kim

“I’ve always loved Japan,” says “Council of Dads” actress Sarah Wayne Callies. “It’s ancient and modern at the same time, from the food, to the clothes, to the architecture. I stayed in a ryokan that had been in the same family for 16 generations and ate kaiseki dinner every night.”

Go Away With … Karen Fukuhara

Jae-Ha Kim

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.

J-Pop Stars Perfume Talk Coachella, Influences and Sourdough Bread

Jae-Ha Kim

One of Japan’s most popular groups, Perfume became the first J-Pop act to ever take the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with a performance last weekend. Formed in 2000, the electro-pop trio will do another set at the fest’s Gobi Tent on Sunday. That concert will conclude Perfume’s U.S. tour to promote their album, “Future Pop.” Nocchi (Ōmoto Ayano), Kashiyuka (Kashino Yuka) and A-chan (Nishiwaki Ayaka) made the most of their Coachella experience: The group caught a bit of Ariana Grande’s show and attended parties hosted by Interscope and Moschino. The experience, they said, was a dream.

Go Away With … Josh and Jesse Feldman

Jae-Ha Kim

The Feldman brothers are on a hunt for more than treasure. In their new Travel Channel series, “Lost Gold,” Josh, 39, and Jesse, 44, seek to find forgotten gold mines and other pieces of history throughout America. The Arizona natives say that getting to see the world is a big perk of their job. “From my travels, I have learned to appreciate different cultures and to be open to new experiences,” says Josh. “I believe where we are from influences who we are. I think this is a beautiful thing and it should be celebrated.”

Go Away With … James Lee

Jae-Ha Kim

Not long after James Lee celebrated his 27th birthday, the Royal Pirates bassist was involved in a freak accident in Seoul that nearly severed his hand and left it permanently damaged. No longer able to feel the strings of his bass, he quit his band and returned home to California, where he was born and raised. Lee, 30, is celebrating his burgeoning solo career, which includes performances at KCON LA, a premiere party for his EP “The Light” and an acoustic duet of “Let’s Get Away” with his good friend Sooyoung (of Girls’ Generation).