Month: March 2018

“BTS: Burn the Stage”: Episodes 1 & 2

Jae-Ha Kim

I imagine that for the members of BTS, presenting an idealized version of their real selves was par for the course. But with “Burn the Stage,” they have come to terms with who they truly are and are confident enough to show it to the public. It is difficult to explain why this first episode was so moving for me. Certainly, there is the aspect of seeing Asian Representation so beautifully presented; and in a manner that doesn’t exoticize these young men as strange creatures from a foreign land.

Go Away With … Maks Chmerkovskiy

Jae-Ha Kim

“One of the things I love about dance is that it has given me the opportunity to see the world,” says Maks Chmerkovskiy, who grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, and New York. “It gave me the opportunity to see things I never could have dreamed about as a little boy.”

Go Away With … Alex and Maia Shibutani

Jae-Ha Kim

After winning two bronze medals at the PyeongChang Olympics this year, Alex and Maia Shibutani made history by becoming the first skaters of Asian heritage to medal in ice dancing. “It was really special, because there hadn’t been a tradition of ice dance success for Asians,” says Alex, 26. “Whenever we compete anywhere in Asia, we always feel adopted and embraced by the locals.”

Go Away With … Chelsey Crisp

Jae-Ha Kim

Though Chelsey Crisp is a scene stealer for her portrayal of Honey on ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat,” the actress says she often goes unrecognized when walking around with her husband, screenwriter Rhett Reese. “It takes hair and makeup a long time to turn me into Honey,” Crisp said, laughing. “I’m very pale, so they have to put a tan on me and make my hair very big. It really is a process, but it’s so much fun playing her.”

“Hwarang” (화랑: 더 비기닝)

Jae-Ha Kim

“You get to decide what kind of King you are going to be.” Don’t remember that line from “Hwarang”? That’s because it’s a quote from the blockbuster film, “Black Panther.” When the newly crowned king, T’challa, worries about how he will rule over his subjects, Nakia tells him, “You cannot let your father’s actions define your life.

Go Away With … Chandler Kinney 

Jae-Ha Kim

“Lethal Weapon” actress Chandler Kinney says that “Tokyo is one of my favorite places. My mom, my two brothers and I were there for four days. Two of our days were spent at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. We took our last day to explore the surrounding districts and towns of Tokyo.”