Category: Lifestyles

Your being white doesn’t make your adopted children white by osmosis

Jae-Ha Kim

Not too long ago, I fell down and ripped the top layer of skin off my knee. As the wound started to heal, the scab, too, started to fall off. But enough of it was still dangling from my knee to be uncomfortable. To many people who don’t want to hear about white privilege, I am that scab. My experiences, words and I are annoying reminders that life isn’t always what you want it to be.

Dude Bros vs. Asian Men

Jae-Ha Kim

I do believe that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But it’s clear that for many people, who say these offensive things, they refuse to see beauty in men who they view as inferior. More than a decade ago, I wrote a piece about Asian-American actors. And the response from women was overwhelmingly positive. But several men felt compelled to e-mail the newspaper to inform us that Asian men are ugly and that no one in their right mind would find them sexy.

Go Away With … Edward Lee

Jae-Ha Kim

“I am always deeply influenced when I go to Korea. It is an endless source of inspiration for me. I have ties there, so it is special. But I also approach it as an outsider and learn new techniques and cooking traditions. I always look forward to going back again and again.” — Chef Edward Lee, star of “Culinary Genius” and “Fermented.”

North Face: These boots were made for walking

Jae-Ha Kim

I love boots. Besides providing warmth and traction, they also cover up a multitude of sins, such as cankles, unflattering pants and general slovenliness. And not that I’m into cosplay — because I’m not (not that there’s anything wrong with it) — but when I wear boots, I feel spritely. Like an elf. Not the Will Ferrell kind of elf, but the Legolas/Galadriel kind. Anyone else? No? Just me? Alrighty then… Moving on.

Dino Lingo

Jae-Ha Kim

Dino Lingo has reached out and given me FIVE foreign language-learning programs to give away to my followers. If you’re one of the winners, you get to pick from any of the 45 language programs that they offer (including Korean, French and Croatian). Dino Lingo will send a code to input at checkout to all the winners. #WinWithJae

“Yes, My Accent Is Real”

Jae-Ha Kim

Kunal Nayyar was so much fun to interview (see my post below). Many of you already know that he has written an autobiographical book called, “Yes, My Accent Is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You.” His publisher has given me a copy of his book to giveaway to one luck winner. Want it? Let me know! #WinWithJae

Korean cuisine beyond barbecue and kimchi

Jae-Ha Kim

When I was young, I went through a phase where I hated Korean food. My mother would make fresh, home-cooked meals from scratch. And instead of realizing what a treat that was, I would ask why we couldn’t just eat TV dinners like all my friends. But these days, there’s no cuisine I enjoy more than Korean. And if someone else is willing to cook it for me, all the better! So when my family and I traveled to South Korea this fall, eating well was a top priority.

Is Korean culture to blame for the Sewol tragedy?

Jae-Ha Kim

News organizations are making the claim that Korean culture is partially to blame for the Sewol ferry disaster. Some even insist that had these been American children onboard, they would’ve escaped death. Shame on them for blaming the young victims of this tragedy.