American melancholy: The real loss in “Past Lives” isn’t love

Jae-Ha Kim

In the Academy Award-nominated film “Past Lives,” the Korean concept of inyeon is used to lead viewers into believing that Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae-sung (Teo Yoo) are destined to be together – if not in this lifetime, then in the future. Or perhaps they were together in a distant past that neither can recall. The introduction of the word leaves moviegoers hoping that these two can have a happily-ever-after ending, despite his living in Seoul, 7,000 miles from her apartment in New York City.

Epik High’s Tablo on Trauma, Triumph, and the Truth

Jae-Ha Kim

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

Jae-Ha Kim

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

Jae-Ha Kim

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.

“Minari”: Deconstructing the American Dream

Jae-Ha Kim

Lee Isaac Chung is an astute filmmaker, who pays close attention to the smallest details. With “Minari,” he has created a universally relatable film, while inserting elements that are specifically Korean.

Go Away With … Babs Olusanmokun

Jae-Ha Kim

Babs Olusanmokun is having an incredible year. After returning to the “Dune” franchise as Jamis in “Dune: Part Two,” the actor will next be seen in Guy Ritchie’s “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, which opens in theaters on April 19. The Nigerian American actor is also a cast member of the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” series, portraying Dr. Joseph M’Benga.

Go Away With … Sahra Nguyen

Jae-Ha Kim

“My parents escaped Vietnam on a boat after the war ended in 1975 and they came to the United States as refugees,” said coffee entrepreneur Sahra Nguyen. “I was born and raised in Boston … surrounded by lots of immigrant families from the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. I attended the Boston public school system, which was as diverse as the city of Boston. Having a lot of exposure to diverse cultures at a young age helped shape my love for culture and community.”

Go Away With … Mai Whelan of “Squid Game: The Challenge”

Jae-Ha Kim

“At eight years of age, it was an easy transition [to the U.S.],” said “Squid Game: The Challenge” winner Mai Whelan. “The hardest was learning English, because there are so many tenses. In Vietnamese, we have general, formal and no tenses.”

Go Away With … Adrian Sutherland

Jae-Ha Kim

“I didn’t feel comfortable writing in Cree before, but as I’ve become more comfortable with writing songs and making music, now it feels like more of a natural fit,” said “Precious Diamonds” musician Adrian Sutherland. “I’m pleased with how the songs turned out.”