“Money Heist: Korea” Reimagines Netflix’s Hit Series as a K-Drama — and It Works

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.

Go Away With … Park Hae-soo and Yoo Ji-tae of “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area”

Last week, Yoo Ji-tae – who portrays the mastermind of a group of thieves – and “Squid Game” star Park Hae-soo – who plays the gang’s charming but deadly leader – participated in this interview from Seoul and Los Angeles, respectively, to talk about “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” – the Korean adaptation of the hit Spanish series “La Casa de Papel.”

“My Liberation Notes” (나의 해방일지)

“My Liberation Notes” is very beautifully executed in presenting a slice of life that doesn’t offer a fairy-tale ending … or offer finite solutions to ease the characters’ lives. But what this K-drama does do is allow for growth. Who the characters are at the start of the series is not who they are by the finale, and that’s a good thing.

“Our Blues” (우리들의 블루스) Is One Of the Best K-Dramas in Recent Years

At first glance, “Our Blues” appears to be about a somewhat eccentric community of folks in Jeju-do — South Korea’s largest island. And it is. But it’s also about so much more. Over the course of 20 episodes, the series weaves together the complex stories of more than a dozen characters, creating a larger picture of love, forgiveness, and what it means to truly look out for one another.

Go Away With … Scout LaRue Willis

“We just went on a little mini tour of the coast of California and I had so much fun,” said Scout LaRue Willis. “I’ve been in the studio and then I’ve been working on a lot of music videos, so I haven’t done a lot of touring. I will go anywhere. I said recently I want my career to make my life a vacation.”

How K-pop Stars Are Leading Vital Mental Health Conversations

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Coincidentally, it’s also Mental Health Awareness Month. And while the latter designation draws attention to the benefits of taking care of our overall well being, mental health care traditionally has been overlooked by Asians – a mindset that experts say has trickled down to Asian Americans.