Chung Ha Shares the Next Step in Her Evolution
“I knew that I had to have a comeback eventually, because I had promised my fans that I would,” says the adventurous K-pop star Chung Ha. “This is what I love to do”
Tag: Rolling Stone
Sistar19: Inside the K-Pop Duo’s Comeback
Hyolyn and Bora talk about their first new music in seven years, how K-pop has changed over the years, and their dreams for the future. My latest article in Rolling Stone magazine.
The 100 Greatest Songs in the History of Korean Pop Music
What follows is not only the story of Korean popular music, and how it birthed the K-pop business, but also how a small peninsula nation learned how to make art in the face of colonialism and political change, culled sonics from all corners of the globe, and keeps striving to find new ways of distilling the purest, most thrilling aspects of the human experience into four-minute packages of pop revelation.
The Rose: Inside the Korean Rock Group’s Biggest Year Yet
Playing Lollapalooza, recording with their friend Suga, and finishing their next album — The Rose are enjoying it all. My exclusive interview for Rolling Stone magazine.
Epik High’s Tablo on Trauma, Triumph, and the Truth
A year ago, Tablo wasn’t sure there would be another Epik High album. Now the Korean hip-hop star is ready to talk about it all — from their new EP, ‘Strawberry,’ to the trauma he faced from an online troll campaign, to his next collaboration with BTS’ RM. My exclusive interview for Rolling Stone.
ATEEZ Do It All for the Fans
At their Chicago concert, ATEEZ had mentioned that they’ve now experienced the first snowfall of this tour. In South Korea, there is a romantic notion that who you spend the first snowfall with is someone who will remain in your future. It feels right that for ATEEZ, this snowfall landed on a day they spent with their fans. My exclusive interview for Rolling Stone.
“Money Heist: Korea” Reimagines Netflix’s Hit Series as a K-Drama — and It Works
The Spanish TV phenomenon gets remade and reset in an imagined North and South Korea, complete with charged political commentary and BTS namedropping. My latest review for Rolling Stone.
Lee Byung-hun: The Rolling Stone Interview
Actor Lee Byung-hun told me, “I experienced touching emotions, and found consolation and hope ever since I read the script for ‘Our Blues.’ I hope that this drama will be able to comfort all wounded souls.”
Tiffany Young’s “Over My Skin”
Tiffany Young was 15 when she left her native California for Seoul, South Korea, where she hoped to become a music star. Within two years, the teenager made her debut with Girls’ Generation, which would become one of the most successful K-Pop groups ever. She’s back in the U.S. and has a new solo single, “Over My Skin.”
How BTS Are Breaking K-Pop’s Biggest Taboos
In modern South Korea, pop stars and politics don’t often mix. While some hip-hop acts (such as Epik High) address controversial topics, many idol groups stick to a slick, apolitical formula with a proven record of success. BTS, who just became the first K-pop act ever to top the Billboard 200 album sales chart, have become a record-setting success story in part because of their willingness to buck this convention.