Suga’s ‘Perp Walk’ Wasn’t Necessary
Suga’s ‘perp walk’ wasn’t necessary: Due Process vs. Freedom of the Press
Category: Issues
Has the Korean Press Learned Nothing After Lee Sun-kyun?
Suga isn’t stupid. He knows he’s one of the most famous men in South Korea, and that the news media and the public would literally love to catch him in a scandal. And since he hasn’t been caught in a dating scandal or a bankruptcy scandal or a family scandal, the news is making do with what they have: scooter-gate.
K-pop Members Shouldn’t Be Forced to Participate in Every Interview
By Jae-Ha Kim Substack August 9, 2024 A few days ago, journalist Lily Dabbs shared on Twitter that she had interviewed the K-pop group ZEROBASEONE and included a link to her article. Before I go […]
Does Racist Vintage Art Get a Pass?
This is how stereotypes work. Westerners have depicted Asian men as being effeminate since forever.
Peak Performative Activism: K-pop Edition
It’s my contention that the majority of online antagonists are adults. Why? Children simply do not care about old people’s opinions about anything.
Why Are Korean Celebs Still Apologizing?
One of the strangest things about Korean celebrity culture is the number of famous people who are essentially forced to issue apologies for doing normal, everyday things (that their detractors themselves are probably doing).
South Korea is reckoning with the death of beloved ‘Parasite’ actor Lee Sun-kyun
NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe speaks to syndicated columnist Jae-Ha Kim about the scandal that led to the death of beloved South Korean actor Lee Sun-Kyun. Note: This conversation has mentions of self-harm.
They Call Us K-Culture
I was the first guest of 2024 on Phil Yu and Jeff Yang’s podcast, “They Call Us Bruce.” We discussed K-dramas, BTS, Lee Sun-kyun’s tragic death and how annoying it is when non-Asian members of the media co-opt our stories.
How South Korea’s stringent anti-drug laws played a role in the death of “Parasite” actor Lee Sun-kyun
Following Lee Sun-kyun’s death, you are going to read a lot on social media and in newspapers about how South Korea has the highest overall suicide rate of all countries. And while someone will surely write a think piece about South Koreans being predisposed to dying by suicide, it’s important to remember how South Korea came to be an economic powerhouse and how its citizens’ well being was secondary to the country’s greatness.
Part 2: That Podcast & BTS’ Relevance to Korean Diaspora
A reminder that it’s really gross to tell people that their identity is determined by what language they speak — or what language they choose to sing in. Part 2 of my coverage of that problematic NYT K-pop podcast.