Year: 2016

Go Away With … Fredrik Eklund

Jae-Ha Kim

Born and raised in Sweden, television personality Fredrik Eklund, 38, says one of the reasons he moved to New York is because he remembered a childhood trip he took with his family to the Big Apple. “I came here from Stockholm as a little boy and was obsessed with the energy of the city,” says the real estate broker. “So, I made the city my life and work. Today, I’m selling the city. I am a part of changing it and its skyline.” Eklund is one of the stars of Bravo’s real estate reality series, “Million Dollar Listing New York.”

When “Mean Girls” are men

Jae-Ha Kim

Thinking about it now, I see so many things that I didn’t as a young reporter. I see their white privilege, which was tinged with racism, sexism and jealousy. How dare an *unqualified* Asian woman whose intelligence obviously was inferior to their own have a more prestigious and higher-paying job than they had? I must’ve gotten my job because I’m a woman. I must’ve been an Affirmative Action hiree. In their minds, I was the reason they didn’t have better jobs.

“The Moon that Embraces the Sun” (해를 품은 달)

Jae-Ha Kim

A sweeping dramatic series set in Korea’s Joseon era, the “Moon That Embraces the Sun” is a love story that at times is painfully heartbreaking. But, it’s also filled with hope and humor. That combination makes for an addictive series that will leave viewers hungering for more.

Go Away With … Daniel Henney

Jae-Ha Kim

Thanks to his striking good looks, Daniel Henney was cast in a Korean television series — despite the fact that he couldn’t speak any Korean at the time. Today, his work takes him around the world. With a resume that includes roles in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Hawaii Five-O” and “Big Hero 6” (he was the voice of Tadashi), Henney is one of the stars of the new CBS procedural, “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.” Fans may follow him on Twitter and on Instagram, where he posts photos of his travels and his dog, Mango.

“Secretly, Greatly” (은밀하게 위대하게)

Jae-Ha Kim

“Secretly, Greatly” starts off as a comedy and veers off into a drama with a graphic, violent ending. Had the film stuck to one genre, the result would’ve been more cohesive and effective. Still, it’s a worthwhile film that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Kim Soo-Hyun shows impressive range in his dual portrayal of a North Korean spy and the dimwitted village idiot that’s his cover.

Go Away With … Kim Coates

Jae-Ha Kim

Kim Coates is known to “Sons of Anarchy” fans for his portrayal of Alex “Tig” Trager. The prolific actor has been busy. Besides “The Land,” which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, he has five other projects set to release this year, including “The True Memoirs of an International Assassin” (with Andy Garcia) and “Goon: Last of the Enforcers” (with Liev Schreiber).

“Dream High” (드림하이)

Jae-Ha Kim

“Dream High” is one of those series that starts off with a ridiculous premise. But, if you stick with it, you’ll be amused, angered and (at times) deeply touched. Yes, this is a glossy high school musical with a love triangle. But it also deals with child abandonment, sexual assault and the abuse of children by the system set in place to manufacture “idols.” This isn’t just a Korea thing. Think about all the American boy band members who have revealed how they were abused by their predatory management.

Go Away With … Lisa Nichols

Jae-Ha Kim

Founder and CEO of Motivating the Masses, Inc., Lisa Nichols was once a single mom relying on public assistance to help make ends meet. Now a motivational speaker and best-selling author, Nichols says she feels grateful to be able to help others. The 49-year-old California resident’s latest book is “Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life and Achieve Prosperity Today” (Dey Street Books, $25.99).

“My Love From Another Star” (별에서 온 그대)

Jae-Ha Kim

Sold as a romantic comedy, “My Love From Another Star” definitely delivers on that front. But it’s also a wonderful story about true love, alienation and sacrifice.

Go Away With … Jessica Breland

Jae-Ha Kim

Born in New York and raised in North Carolina, where she played basketball for the Tar Heels, Jessica Breland has overcome so much to get to where she is today. The summer before her senior year of college, Breland was excited thinking about all the places she wanted to visit before school started. Instead, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and spent the next half-year undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

“Coffee Prince” (커피프린스)

Jae-Ha Kim

On the surface, “Coffee Prince” is your standard boy-meets-girl romantic comedy with a few roadblocks thrown in for good measure. Thanks to the chemistry shared by the attractive leads (Gong Yoo and Yoo Eun Hye), the series is highly watchable and I understand why so many fans are repeat viewers. But beneath the cute exterior, the series deals with issues such as sexual confusion, gender roles and poverty.

Go Away With … Ralph Covert

Jae-Ha Kim

For the early part of his career, Ralph Covert was known for his rock band, the Bad Examples. These days, his fans span a wider age range, thanks to his children’s music group Ralph’s World. “It’s fun performing for audiences whether they are four years old or grandparents,” says the Chicago-based musician. “When they get up and sing and dance along, it makes the concerts so much more fun.”

“Answer Me 1988” (응답하라 1988)

Jae-Ha Kim

One of the things that I really enjoy about the “Answer Me” trilogy is the lifelong friendships that that characters share. Whereas the first two series focused primarily on the teenagers, “Answer Me 1988” delves into the backstories of their parents as well. And that, to me, made this chapter a standout. The parents’ storylines were as interesting–if not more–than the who-will-she-marry premise that is predominant in each of the “Answer Me” installments.

Go Away With … Angélique Kidjo

Jae-Ha Kim

Grammy Award-winning musician Angelique Kidjo says that being named UNICEF’s International Goodwill ambassador in 2002 has been a fulfilling part of her life. “It gave me the opportunity to travel to all the other continents and meet incredible women who carry the continents on their shoulders,” says the New York-based artist. “They are the main inspiration behind my songs.”

Go Away With … Tim Love

Jae-Ha Kim

Chef and restaurateur Tim Love is one of the stars of CNBC’s series “Restaurant Startup.” The reality show helps potential restaurateurs by investing money in new restaurants. He says one way he keeps on top of culinary trends is via travel. “Cooking is really not the hard part,” says Love, 44. “When you travel, you experience different cultures and see how they do different things. This inspires me to incorporate new ideas and experiment with different cuisines, ingredients and flavors.”

“Answer Me 1997” (응답하라 1997)

Jae-Ha Kim

Everything that “How I Met Your Mother” did wrong (including its series finale), “Answer Me 1997” does right. Funny and poignant with superb acting by the entire cast, the series tells the story of 6 childhood friends whose lives are intertwined through adulthood. Kudos to K-pop Hoya (of the group Infinite) for his thoughtful (and unstereotypical) portrayal of a gay teenager who is in love with his best friend; and to the writers for not portraying it as “weird.”