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.
Tag: Rolling Stone
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.” My cover story for Rolling Stone Korea.
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.” My latest interview for Rolling Stone.
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. My latest essay for Rolling Stone.
James (Rolling Stone review)
The British rock group James understands that simplicity can be an elegantly powerful tool in concert. On its first tour of the United States, the seven-man band played an exquisitely stripped-down show in Chicago, proving that while the hype machine may be turned on full gear, the group is more than capable of living up to any hyperbole thrust upon it.
Queensrÿche (Rolling Stone review)
Intelligent heavy metal is an oxymoron in today’s rock world. Too many bands rely on videos featuring nubile models rather than honest musicianship to sell their songs. The member of Queensrÿche stand out in this world, not because they are the prettiest, loudest or raunchiest, but because they treat their music as art rather than product.
New Faces: Loey Nelson
“Venus Killed the Moon” is Loey Nelson’s impressive debut. My interview with Nelson for Rolling Stone.