Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“The Baxters” actor Josh Plasse is a former Golden Gloves boxing champion, co-screenwriter/actor/producer of the C. Thomas Howell film “Ride” and the author of his recently released fantasy novel “Dust” (Resolve Editions). Though the book is a work of fiction, Plasse said he utilized some of his travels as inspiration.
Gavin Rossdale is the lead singer and songwriter for the British grunge rock band Bush and an occasional actor (“The Trainer,” “Constantine”). He’s also the host of his own VIZIO WatchFree+ cooking show, “Dinner With Gavin Rossdale,” where he has conversations with guests like Serena Williams, Brooke Shields, Selma Blair, Common and Sir Tom Jones over meals that he prepares for them.
Born and raised in Germany, educated in the United States and now based out of South Korea, BAFTA Awards-nominated actor Teo Yoo (“Past Lives,” “Decision to Leave”) doesn’t take any of his success for granted. He had already spent many years turning down parts that cast Asian characters in a disparaging light. In his latest role in the espionage series “The Recruit,” he plays Jang Kyu, a South Korean intelligence agent, who teams up with Noah Centineo.
Before starring as a highly skilled bodyguard in the Disney+ sci fi thriller “Blood Free” – currently airing in the United States on Hulu – Ju Ji-hoon won acclaim for his portrayal of a determined crown prince in the Netflix zombie horror series “Kingdom.”
After debuting in 2019, the K-pop quintet CIX has had the opportunity to travel around the world, which the group acknowledges as a fun perk of their job. “I try to explore each city as our schedule allows,” said group leader and rapper BX.
“When you’re in a new country by yourself, there’s nothing greater for character development than putting yourself out there,” said P1Harmony leader Keeho. “Having traveled so much as a kid helped me adapt to new environments. Honestly, it was not difficult for me when I moved to Korea. There was some culture shock, but it was overall just fun for me.”
The Somerset Palace Seoul is located near two of the five grand palaces in South Korea—Gyeongbokgung Palace and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Changdeok Palace. While it’s not a 4-star hotel as it bills itself, it’s located in a central area. I would stay there again.
It is a stiflingly hot day in Seoul. But when Kim Jin-kwon – known professionally as Jinkwon – arrives for an interview at the Somerset Palace in the heart of the city, he appears cool in every sense of the word. The college student, 22, has a lot on his plate. Besides being the leader of the K-pop group Newkidd, he’s an actor who’s currently filming a new series.
“It’s fun to write lyrics inspired by travel because I feel like the concept of travel is quite similar to life in terms of new challenges,” said “The Uncanny Counter” star Kim Sejeong. “I’ve written tracks for this album over the past two years, so I believe my trips have been blended into the lyrics.”
For her upcoming novel “The Apology” (Little, Brown and Company) – which releases on Aug. 1 – Jimin Han culled on years of memories for parts of her book. “I’ve had fragments of it written out on my laptop for years but never knew what to do with them,” said Han, who resides with her family outside of New York City.
In the Netflix series “XO, Kitty” – which has been renewed for a second season – Peter Thurnwald plays the role of a high school teacher who happens to be a Korean adoptee who grew up in Australia. In real life, Thurnwald also was adopted from South Korea to Australian parents.
“The Sense of Wonder” is a revelatory book that takes a humorous look at pop culture, while also pointing out the inherent racism that pigeonholes minorities into what they can and cannot be. Matthew Salesses’ latest novel incorporates two of his interests: basketball and K-dramas.
The daughter of the Dutch national team’s dressage coach Sjef Janssen and dressage trainer Kerensa Muller, Kayden Muller-Janssen paved a different career path for herself. A former competitive baton twirler, the 20-year-old singer is best known these days for her acting career, which includes Disney’s “The Villains of Valley View.”
Marie Myung-Ok Lee’s linguistic skills and travels play a prominent role in her latest novel “The Evening Hero” (Simon & Schuster, $28.99), which centers on a septuagenarian doctor whose past in Korea threatens to upend his perfect American life.
At the time of our Zoom interview, AleXa had no idea that she would win NBC’s “American Song Contest.” “I’m just grateful for this experience,” she said. “I performed for a huge American network in front of a live audience. Hopefully, I can take this positive energy and move forward with it.”
“I want to fly to somewhere that I’ve never been before like Greece,” said The Rose frontman Woosung. “The pictures (I’ve seen) are beautiful. I like nature. I don’t like hiking, but I like the fresh air. Greece has a lot of cool architecture. Yeah, I want to go there.”
Trial attorney by day and content creator by night, Joanne Lee Molinaro is known to her millions of social media followers as the Korean Vegan. In her social media posts, she delivers beautifully crafted videos showing her cook, while she shares personal stories about her life and that of her parents, who had escaped North Korea as children before immigrating to the United States as adults.
“For me, traveling is like healing,” said CRAVITY’s Hyeongjun. “I think it allows me to get rid of (fatigue) and hardships that I experienced. I love listening to my favorite songs, eating delicious food and making new memories while I’m traveling.” Meet all nine members of the K-pop group.
Former Girls’ Generation member Jessica Jung tackles the world of K-pop in her Young Adult novel, “Shine.” “I took a lot of inspiration from what it was like for me,” says Jung. “I wanted it to be entertaining and authentic at the same time, so there’s a balance of real details and escapist fictional elements.”
Pop star Wonho has traveled the world. But the Korean musician says once this pandemic is over, he would love to travel around the United States with his family: “I want to show them all the great things I experienced.”