Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“I am not one of those people that must have an itinerary and visit the must-sees when I travel,” said “The Housewives of the North Pole” actress Tetona Jackson. “I like to obviously research different areas and the best places to stay and the best places to eat, but I kind of just go with the flow.”
“Sisyphus: The Myth” has an intriguing premise, in which an inventor creates a time machine. And as with many time travel stories, you have to suspend your belief in reality to enjoy this production.
Lately, there have been some compelling K-dramas where the female lead is more than just an object of desire. Rather, she is the capable one who is an integral part of the plot. Here are 11 K-dramas from recent years that exemplify female empowerment.
As the year winds down and we get ready to welcome 2022 in less than two weeks, it’s time to give ourselves the gift of relaxation. If you’re lucky enough to get a few days off from work, why not snuggle under your blanket and treat yourself to a K-drama or two (or more!)?
“The Silent Sea” is based on director Choi Hang-Yong’s short film of the same name. Starring Bae Doona and Gong Yoo, the eight-part series is set on the moon, where the astronauts have been tasked with recovering research from the previous mission.
Narrowing down the best-of list to just 11 K-dramas was painstaking. But these shows from 2021 are must-sees that you will want to add to your watch list. Below, dive into the best K-dramas of 2021.
“I am a Disney fanatic,” said Lynn Chen, who portrays Dr. Michelle Lin on the ABC medical series, “Grey’s Anatomy.” “(My dream trip would be) visiting all the Disneylands outside of the United States with my entire family – the nieces, nephews, in-laws, everyone.”
Set in the 1990s, “Tune in for Love” is a beautiful slice-of-life film focused on a young couple who meet as teenagers, lose touch, and reunite on and off throughout their twenties.
2PM’s Chansung is getting married and expecting a baby with his long-time fiancée! Let’s catch up with the idol actor and his bandmates.
Teen Vogue asked 54 music writers to pick their favorite K-pop songs of 2021. I chose Monsta X’s “One Day,” which features gorgeous harmonies, along with heartbreaking lyrics that may make the listener sob in commiseration. Radio really dropped the ball on this song.
You asked for more ajeossi actors and we’re here to deliver. Who do you think made it onto this list of six top actors of a certain age?
“When I shot ‘The Last Son’ in Montana, I actually chose to drive there all the way from Nashville instead of flying in for filming,” said Emily Marie Palmer. “I’ll take any excuse to get out on the open road!”
There are still 18 days left until the end of the 2021 — and Gong Yoo’s “The Silent Sea” doesn’t even makes its premiere until December 24. But I don’t know that there will be a better K-drama this year than “Happiness.”
“Inspector Koo” starts off strong, with a whip-smart teenage serial killer manipulating her victims, teachers and the police. She is as much a sociopath as a psychopath, which is explained away during a backstory that involves childhood trauma.
In many ways, “Nevertheless” is a primer for how women are manipulated into diminishing their own wants and desires for a man.
Aigoo or aegyo? Sunbae or hoobae? Is there anything more frustrating than watching a K-drama and not understanding what’s going on, even when you have the subtitles turned on?!
“My family traveled every year to the great American West, as my mom called it,” said Kate Siegel, who’s currently filming the HBO series “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” “We explored Moab, Utah, Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and many more. I remember it fondly now, but as a child I was very grumpy about all the hiking and driving.”
I’m most grateful that Asian American children today have pop culture role models who look like them. It’s so important for children to see themselves represented. When I was my son’s age, there were no famous artists in the U.S. who were talented, young, handsome, great role models AND Korean! I’m so happy that he has BTS to listen to, laugh with and look up to.
“Having been raised using Korean in her family, a Korean American journalist said that she still struggled to speak Korean fluently, and this experience led her to question why Korean entertainment writers and consumers failed to question improbable stories, such as that of ‘Vincenzo,” Lee Kyung-eun — the director of Human Rights Beyond Borders — wrote in her OpEd piece. The journalist she is talking about … is me.
Hwang Jung-Eum is one of my absolute favorite actresses. I love everything about her, especially the forthright way she delivers her dialogue. Her chemistry with both leading men is on point and viewers can see the family-like dynamics shared by the trio. Choi Won-Young and Yook Sun-Jae are superb actors whose subtle (and overt) mannerisms speak to viewers without them having to utter a word.