Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“I grew up in San Diego during the ’50s, and it was a racist environment then,” said Academy Award nominated actress Margaret Avery. “I was taught at an early age that a colored girl must work 10 times harder than the whites. People that looked like me could not purchase homes in certain neighborhoods. Articles in the local papers about colored people were limited to stories of crime.”
“Squid Game” season 2 introduces a whole new set of compelling characters. Will they make us forget fan favorites like North Korean defector Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) and Pakistani immigrant Ali (Anupam Tripathi)? No, but the star power of veteran K-drama stars, including Park Sung-hoon (“The Glory”), Park Hee-soon (“Moving”) and Im Si-wan (“Misaeng: Incomplete Life”), is a nice concession to killing off nearly all of last season’s characters.
“I took a trip to New York with my brother when I was 12,” said musician Ginny Luke. “We went to look at art and saw ’42nd Street’ on Broadway. I was also lucky as a child to go to Boston a few times, because my brother went to New England Conservatory there. Every time we went, I got to see the Egyptian exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts and hear symphony concerts there. Now when I’m in Boston, I try to go to the MFA and hit Wally’s Café Jazz Club. And yeah, I always loved those trips as a kid. Coming from Dubuque, Iowa, it was pretty cool to be in a big city.”
It was an excellent year for Korean dramas — and with Squid Game season 2 on the horizon, there’s more to come.
“There are so many beautiful places to visit,” said “English Teacher” actress Stephanie Koenig, 37. “We traveled to Greece right after the pandemic and went to Athens, Zakynthos and Santorini. We were lucky, because Greece had just re-opened for tourists and there was nearly no one there, especially on the beach in Santorini. I absolutely loved the land and the people.
“I always like to find a bakery and try something new – a cookie, pastry, cake. Anything that sounds interesting to me,” said “How My Neighbor Stole Christmas” bestselling author Meghan Quinn. “When I was taking a tour through the Highlands, we found a little bakery in a small town and purchased this jelly biscuit. I still think about it ‘til this day. So good.”
The last time a president declared martial law in South Korea was in 1980.
“When I was eight years old, I went on a trip to New York City with my aunt,” Ruben Studdard said. “It stands out to me because I went to my first Broadway show. I think that trip showed me what was possible.”
Based on Sang Young Park’s bestselling novel of the same name, the K-drama adaptation was overshadowed by the film version, which stars Kim Go-eun (Little Women) and Steve Sanghyun Noh (Pachinko). But this series is so relevant as it matter-of-factly addresses homosexuality — a topic not often depicted in South Korean media in any meaningful way.
Adding a twist to the contract marriage trope, “The Trunk” tackles the plot device from a film noir perspective.
If there’s one thing this K-drama gets across, it’s that keeping secrets from children about their own history is never the way to go.
“Coming from Hawaii where so many different cultures influence one another, I was exposed to many different styles of music and have since built a grand love for all types and genres,” said “Moana 2” actor Hualālai Chung, of his burgeoning singing career. “My hope is to release music that can appeal to the masses.”
Referring to himself as Worldwide Handsome isn’t about Jin’s ego. It’s the affirmation that we all need.
After Wonho completed his 21-month mandatory military duty in South Korea this past September, the pop star had intended on taking some time off before making his “comeback” – K-pop parlance for releasing new music. But when the opportunity came up to be a part of the iHeart Jingle Ball lineup – which includes a Dec. 9 concert at the Allstate Arena outside of Chicago – he got to work, quickly.
Jin’s vocals on “Another Level” (from his debut EP “Happy”) blew away co-songwriter Ben Samama.
Big Ocean’s Hyunjin, Chanyeon, and Jiseok talk about their remarkable journey and what they want to do next. My latest exclusive for Rolling Stone.
Kim Suhyun’s bestselling book “I Decided to Live as Me” (Penguin Life) reminds readers about the importance of self-care and self-love. The Seoul-based writer said that reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations piqued reader interest. And she also credits BTS member, Jungkook, for spiking interest in her book after the pop star was spotted reading it.
“Between filming and traveling, I mostly just go home to water my plants and check on my avocado tree,” said Eloise Mumford, who will next be seen in the Prime Video series “Cross.” “[The show] takes place in Washington, D.C., and the city is a huge part of the fabric of the series,” she said. “We filmed pivotal exteriors there. But as often is the case, the majority of the show was filmed somewhere else to double as D.C.”
On her latest album “soft winds and roses,” two-time Juno winner Diana Panton offers her interpretation of classic songs like the Beatles’ “Here, There and Everywhere,” Elton John’s “Your Song” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.” Showcasing her beautiful, evocative vocals, the artist said her Scottish father’s record collection introduced her to jazz.
“Charlie is the kindest, most level-headed, ever-patient husband you could ask for,” Devin Kawaoka said of the character he plays on the new Apple TV+ series “Shrinking.” “He feels deeply, sees the best in people and is always up for adventure – or some quality time over a glass of wine. He’s easy! If that’s not a good travel partner, then I don’t know what is.”