Music, music, music
I’ll be updating this page periodically to include music that’s piquing my interest at the moment. Song of the day: “Pretty Baby” by Blondie.
Tag: BTS
Go Away With … Kim Suhyun
Kim Suhyunโs bestselling book โI Decided to Live as Meโ (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.
Suga’s ‘Perp Walk’ Wasn’t Necessary
Suga’s ‘perp walk’ wasn’t necessary: Due Process vs. Freedom of the Press
Has the Korean Press Learned Nothing After Lee Sun-kyun?
Suga isnโt stupid. He knows heโs 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 hasnโt 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.
Interviews (Celebrity Index)
David Bowie, Keanu Reeves, Britney Spears, PSY, Idris Elba, BTS, Matt Damon, Justin Timberlake, Venus Williams… Just a few of the notable folks I’ve interviewed. Click on the photo or the title to read my profiles. Enjoy!
IU’s Evocative “Love Wins All” Music Video (featuring V) is Thought-Provoking
Itโs not easy for two well-known celebrities to immerse themselves in their roles so well that we donโt seeย them, but rather their characters. But watching IU’s music video for “Love Wins All,” I didnโt see pop stars IU and V, but rather a pair of anguished characters who were trying desperately to survive in this post-apocalyptic inferno.
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.
“BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star”
“BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star” isn’t always easy to watch. Very real issues are discussed, including severe depression that hints at suicidal ideation. But what comes through is that itโs the groupโs hope, friendship, humor and love that binds them together.
Part 2: That Podcast & BTS’ Relevance to Korean Diaspora
A reminder that itโs really gross to tell people that their identity is determined by what language they speak โ or what language they choose to sing in. Part 2 of my coverage of that problematic NYT K-pop podcast.
NYT’s Podcast Questioned Whether K-pop Should Only Be Sung in Korean
The thesis of the New York Times’ podcast questions whether K-pop is still K-pop if sung in English. It also questions whether Korean artists should even be singing in English, since there are so many Western artists who already sing in, you know, Englishโฆ