Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
It’s always fun to see Korean groups like BTS, Blackpink and Day6 being interviewed on American talk shows. But it’s also eye-opening to see international acts having fun on South Korean programs, whether it’s Tom Cruise appearing on “Running Man” or NBA star Stephen Curry on “Infinite Challenge.” But one of the most charming segments I’ve seen in a long time is 5 Seconds of Summer’s guest appearance on “YO~! WELCOME TO KOREA!”
Breaking up is never easy. But for celebrities, they have the additional burden of having their private lives exposed in public. Unlike Song Hye-Kyo and Song Joong-Ki — who in June quietly announced their plans to divorce — Ku Hye-Sun and Ahn Jae-Hyun are having a more contentious dissolution of marriage, thanks to a series of social media posts in which Ku claims she doesn’t want a divorce. Ahn responded by saying that what his wife acknowledged publicly doesn’t align with her actions.
Just two months after his military discharge, Hallyu superstar Kim Soo-Hyun is ready to get back to work. But before he has his official comeback, he’ll make an appearance in the finale of the K-Drama “Hotel Del Luna” (set to air on Aug. 31). Production is being hush-hush, so we don’t know if his role will be that of a mortal or a ghost guest.
The old amnesia plot device isn’t new, but it’s something that K-Drama fans have come to love (to hate, sometimes). While it’s a trope, I must admit that many scriptwriters do an admirable job of keeping viewers guessing as to what will happen next.
Recognizing these cultural differences and relating to even the most unrelatable stories are all part of what makes watching Korean dramas so satisfying. Where else can you experience second lead syndrome (where you’re actually rooting for the other guy to get the girl and not the main guy), eat instant ramen along with the characters, and learn a few foreign words in the process? Daebak! Read more in my article for MTV News.
My name isn’t uncommon in Korea. But, as you can imagine, I never had to worry about a classmate sharing my first name after we immigrated to Chicago. On the other hand, whenever my friends and I went to the mall to buy keychains or anything that had a name pre-printed on it, I never found my name listed anywhere along with the Julies and Kevins. Imagine my delight when I started watching Korean Dramas and saw characters who share my name!