K-DRAMA REVIEWS (INDEX)
K-CULTURE WITH JAE-HA KIM is the space where I curate my reviews and views about Korean-centric things happening in the pop culture realm (and beyond) that pique my interest…and I hope yours, too. Won’t you join me?
Tag: Substack
“My Royal Nemesis” (멋진 신세계)
This charming fish-out-of water K-drama explores timeslips, shamanism, betrayal and, most of all, unconditional love that spans eras.
GHOST9’s Prince Vatani is One of K-pop’s Most Entertaining Idols
Ask him about stalkers, Wattpad, and Mr. Jigglypuff, and the Thai idol Prince Vatani will reply with humorous clarity.
“Teach You a Lesson” (참교육)
There is a contingent of people who do not approve of adults hitting children. I am one of those people. But I also recognize that in a fictional setting like this, it can be incredibly cathartic to watch morally reprehensible youngsters getting their comeuppance — especially for real-life victims of school violence whose lives were treated as dispensable by those who were supposed to protect them.
Oreos, BTS, and Me
Even though this collab between BTSxOreo has absolutely nothing to do with me, the fact that it exists makes me feel 정 for this amazing group of Korean artists. They helped create a cookie that evokes all these memories of home for those of us who are no longer there.
“The Scarecrow” (허수아비)
Based on the real-life Hwaseong Serial Killer who brutally murdered 15 South Korean girls and women from 1986-1994, The Scarecrow covers much of the same ground as Bong Joon-ho’s 2003 film Memories of Murder. But this K-drama more than holds its own, adding fictional twists to keep viewers engaged and guessing.
Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung is in Her Renaissance Era, and She’s Nowhere Near Done
In her latest role in the second season of “Beef,” Youn Yuh-jung, portrays the powerful billionaire of a South Korean chaebol conglomerate, who buys an expensive California country club as an investment property. A ruthless businesswoman, her one weakness is her much-younger and inept plastic-surgeon husband (played by Song Kang-ho), who she dotes on.
BTS’ Suga Co-Wrote a Music-Based Book About Autism Therapy
Why Suga’s Korean-language book “MIND Problem” excites me more than the pop group’s worldwide tour.
“What Kind of Asian” is Stella Choe? The Kind Who Dances at the 2026 Academy Awards.
“‘What Kind of Asian Are You?’ is what I wished I could do when that question has come up,” said actress and dancer Stella Choe. “But most of the time I’m just in shock and so annoyed [that] I don’t know what to say. The video version of myself is a lot more witty and sassy. I wish I was that quick to clap back!”
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” Won an Oscar and a Grammy, But is It K-pop?
A college student asked me what made K-pop, well, K-pop. The gist of what I said was that K-pop has to maintain a Korean element. In my latest newsletter, I dig deeper into this with a K-pop expert.
In The Latest Edition of ‘You’re Not Korean Enough,’ the Internet Attacks a Transnational Adoptee
Accusing a Korean adoptee of ‘not being Korean enough’ isn’t the slam dunk losers think it is.
How The Korean Folk Song “Arirang” Ties In With BTS’ March Comeback
On March 20, BTS will make their long-awaited comeback with an album called “Arirang.” Since it was announced, fans and media have been speculating about the cultural significance of the title, the album cover possibly being an homage to a group of 19th century Korean students studying in the U.S., and whether the title hints at what kind of music listeners can expect on the upcoming record.
Catch the Young: A Group of Rocking K-pop Idols “Evolve”
Ahead of next week’s full-length album release, “Evolve,” the South Korean rock group CATCH THE YOUNG sat down with me for an exclusive interview.
Why Isn’t More Being Done to Stop the Stalking of Jung Kook?
While it’s easy to blame the K-pop system for encouraging parasocial relationships between fans and idols, experts told me that the modern “celebrity machine” in general emboldens stalkers.
“Made in Korea”
Made in Korea doesn’t flinch in its portrayal of corruption by both the Korean government and its strongest ally, the U.S. military. Director Woo Min-ho presents a Korea where there are no heroes, but rather desperate survivors caught in the crosshairs.
Korean Radish Soup aka 무국
Easy-to-make muguk recipe with ingedients you probably have at home already!
“Dear Juno,” Persimmons, and Language Loss
How a children’s book reflects on the profound impact of losing your first language
“As You Stood By” (당신이 죽였다)
“As You Stood By” examines domestic abuse and how people are reluctant to help victims — most often because they are afraid of how their actions could be detrimental to their own lives (which is also a subplot in Our Unwritten Seoul).
Bestselling Author Baek Se-hee Dead at 35
Since the release of her book “I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki,” Baek Se-hee opened up dialogue about depression and the importance of normalizing mental health care. May she rest in eternal peace.
What is Happening with South Koreans in Cambodia?
The 2nd season of “Taxi Driver” depicted a fictional storyline that is eerily similar to what is happening now in South East Asia.