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?
The 7 Best K-dramas of 2026 So Far
Some people mistakenly describe K-dramas (even the best K-dramas) as soap operas. While daytime shows certainly exist in Korea—typically airing Monday through Friday for about 50 to 200+ episodes—the K-drama umbrella covers a multitude of genres. Read more in my latest article for Teen Vogue.
‘BTS: The Return’: Six Things We Learned From the Revealing New Documentary
The Netflix film “BTS: The Return” offers insight into the pressures faced by the superstar group as they came back from military service to make their new album, “Arirang.” My latest review for Rolling Stone magazine.
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.
“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.
Go Away With … AtHeart
“One thing I’ve always said is that I want to perform in all of the members’ hometowns, and of course in the Philippines,” said AtHeart’s Katelynn, who is Filipina. “I’d also love to perform at iconic music festivals and stadiums like Coachella, Lollapalooza and Wembley Stadium someday.”
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.
Go Away With … Jimin Han
“Traveling creates an energy that spurs me on to write,” said “Dreamt I Found You” author Jimin Han, who also teaches at the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. “I notice more things than I do when I’m home. Right now, I’m sitting on a terrace in a hotel in Myeongdong in Seoul. Already, I’ve written on the flight and [wrote] earlier this morning working on the new book. Fingers crossed I have another novel [published] soon.”
“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.
Go Away With … Rosalee Mayeux
In her debut comedy special “Rosalee Mayeux: Model Mom,” the former high fashion model-turned-standup comic shares stories about her life as a model, actress (“The Lawnmower Man,” “Blast from the Past”) and mother. “My first gig was at the World Famous Comedy Store [in West Hollywood] in the famous Belly Room,” Mayeux said. “It was such an honor and I had a blast! We had a fire audience, courtesy of one of their resident producers, comedian Jimmy Shin. So it was a very cushy beginning!”
Go Away With … Megan Lawless
Megan Lawless stars as Sarah in the hit horror film “Obsession.” “My character is one of four in the main friend group,” the Los Angeles-based actor said. “Sarah acts as a foil to the toxic relationship between Bear and Nikki and is fundamental to the theme of this cautionary tale. She is representative of the loss that comes with obsessive, toxic attachment and how one person’s actions can affect far more than just themselves. I love this character and am so glad to play such a fundamental part of this story.”
U.S. News Anchor ‘Jokes’ That BTS-Themed Cookies Spell Out “Death to America”
It’s completely normal for a journalist to joke around saying that a cookie bore the words, “Death to America,” right?
Go Away With … Robert Margouleff
Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer Robert Margouleff has worked with music legends such as the Isley Brothers, Jeff Beck and Depeche Mode. In his new memoir “Shaping Sounds: Stevie Wonder, DEVO, The Synth Revolution, And My Life Behind The Music,” the author shares stories about working with these stars. It wasn’t his intent at the time, but his work helped create an eclectic musical time capsule.
Go Away With … Maria-Christina Oliveras
In the Broadway production of “The Balusters,” Maria-Christina Oliveras portrays Luz Baccay, a Filipina housekeeper who has served the very wealthy Vernon Point community for 30 years. “Her power lies in observation and deep listening [and] in knowing what to say and what not to say,” the actress said in an interview from her home in New York City.
“BEEF” Tackles Korean Identity in Season 2
Saying “I don’t see color” doesn’t mean you’re not racist. How this second season of “Beef” tackles Korean identity.
“Yumi’s Cells” (유미의 세포들): Season 3
This charming trilogy ends with a happily-ever-after for our heroine Yumi (Kim Go-eun). Seasons 1 and 2 were all about her relationships with Woong (Ahn Bo-hyun) and Ba-bi (played by GOT7’s Jinyoung), who at various times seemed like the perfect men for her.
Go Away With … Sabrina Song
“I played SXSW in Austin in 2023 and some of my friends came to play in my band,” said “Big Trick” singer-songwriter Sabrina Song. “Our flight home was really early so we figured we would get to the airport late the night before and wait at our gate. We found out [it] was closed for the night when we got there, so we laid down on the floor with all our gear and slept at the entrance until morning. It was such a tragically funny ending to such a great week.”
“Phantom Lawyer” (신이랑 법률사무소)
In one of the most delightfully clever K-dramas of 2026, Yoo Yeon-seok portrays Shin Yi-rang, a smart attorney who no one will hire. Why? Because his now-deceased father had been accused of being a corrupt prosecutor, and no law firm wants to have their company associated with those allegations.
Go Away With … Alexandra Metz
Alexandra Metz isn’t a doctor, but “The Pitt” star contemplated becoming one when she studied at Brown University. After graduating with a degree in human biology, she deferred med school for two years while she gave acting a shot. “On the surface, it felt like a perfect backup plan, making my [acting] choice seem less risky,” said Metz, who portrays Dr. Yolanda Garcia on the hit series. “At my core, though, I always knew I wouldn’t follow through with medicine, because I wasn’t excited by the journey. Acting moved me in an undeniable way. While I found medicine incredibly inspiring, I knew it wasn’t for me.”
Go Away With … DoYeon Kim
With her gayageum, avant-garde musician-composer-vocalist DoYeon Kim blends traditional Korean music with free jazz, which she showcases on her upcoming debut album, “Wellspring”
Music, music, music
I’ll be updating this page periodically to include music that’s piquing my interest at the moment. Song of the day: “Pretty Baby” by Blondie.