Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
A self-described nerd who enjoys studying and learning, bestselling author Min Jin Lee said that law school prepared her well for the extensive research she puts into her books (“American Hagwon,” “Pachinko,” “Free Food for Millionaires”), where fact and fiction coincide to tell universal and relatable stories.
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?
How to watch “The Scarecrow” (my favorite show of the year), “A Bona Fide Killer,” and more during VIKI’s 4th Annual K-Drama Celebration
Simon D. Lee, attorney and founding partner of Pureum Law Office, answers all the complicated questions.
BTS don’t want anyone to do this. Here’s why.
“If I’m being honest, l didn’t know exactly what to expect when starting to pursue life as an idol,” says Michi, who hails from Hawaii. “I knew what an idol was, but it was difficult to imagine what a realistic daily lifestyle would be like. One thing that was different from what I had pictured was how many people work behind the scenes to assist the team to become who they are. There is so much effort and planning that goes into every song and stage.”
Would we have done well if we had stayed in Korea? Probably, because my parents were resilient. But would I choose to move to Korea permanently at this stage of my life? No, for the same reason that my father wanted to be buried here rather than in our family plot in Seoul. His family is here, he said, and he wanted to be near us even in death.
The Korean American author offers a fresh, modern take on “Chunhyangjeon.”
This charming fish-out-of water K-drama explores timeslips, shamanism, betrayal and, most of all, unconditional love that spans eras.
Ask him about stalkers, Wattpad, and Mr. Jigglypuff, and the Thai idol Prince Vatani will reply with humorous clarity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why Suga’s Korean-language book “MIND Problem” excites me more than the pop group’s worldwide tour.
“‘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!”
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.
Accusing a Korean adoptee of ‘not being Korean enough’ isn’t the slam dunk losers think it is.
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.
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.