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Jae-Ha Kim

Tomatometer-approved critic
Biography:

Jae-Ha Kim first started reviewing films alongside Roger Ebert when they both worked at the Chicago Sun-Times. She is an in-demand pop culture expert who has been quoted in outlets such as the New York Times, Associated Press, M온라인카지노추천, Korea Times, and the South China Morning Post. As a critic, Kim wrote about the history of Korean cinema for the Victoria & Albert Museum's Hallyu: The Korean Wave exhibit in London. Additionally, she is a popular guest lecturer, discussing the intersection of journalism and pop culture at the University of Southern California, Columbia College Chicago, North Central College and North Park University. Kim is an avid fan of K-dramas and reviews them for K-Culture with Jae-Ha Kim (Substack).

Reviews

Movies 온라인카지노추천 Shows
Forgotten (2017) 3/4 “Kang Ha-neul stars in FORGOTTEN, a film that tackles murder, memory loss, & mayhem in a clever way with lots of twists & turns that keep viewers intrigued. It centers on two brothers, neither of whom are as they seem, & a tragedy that ties them together.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Mar 29, 2025 Full Review Bogotá: City of the Lost (2024) 2/4 “There is a lot going on in “Bogotá: City of the Lost” — shootings, explosions, backstabbing and double-crossings. But when it’s all over, you realize that it was mostly much ado about nothing.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Mar 28, 2025 Full Review Officer Black Belt (2024) 3/4 “"Officer Black Belt" is an action-packed thriller starring Kim Woo-bin. Is it predictable? Yes? But is it a fun watch? Absolutely! Written by Jason Kim ("Midnight Runners," "Bloodhounds"), this film depicts what a man can do when given the chance.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Mar 28, 2025 Full Review #Alive (2020) 88% 3/4 “Led by Yoo Ah-in, #ALIVE begins with his character gaming and enjoying solitude. After a virus mysteriously turns citizens into zombies, everyone's ordered to lockdown at home. But what happens when food runs out and utilities are turned off?” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Nov 9, 2024 Full Review Arahan (2004) 2/4 “Sang-hwan is a ‘fraidy cat cop. But through his friendship with Eui-jin, who has extraordinary fighting skills, he learns that he has untapped super powers of his own. This revelation comes in handy when he has to save the world save the world.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Nov 9, 2024 Full Review Champion (2018) 90% 3/4 “If you watched Sylvester Stallone’s 1987 arm wrestling film “Over the Top” and hated it, don’t let that deter you from giving “Champion” a shot. Starring Ma Dong-seok (“Train to Busan,” “The Roundup”), the charismatic, buff actor has a knack for comedy. ” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Nov 9, 2024 Full Review Dream (2023) 44% 3/4 “Park Seo-joon stars as a problematic soccer star forced to coach a soccer team comprised of homeless players. IU portrays a documentarian who’s hired to concoct a feel-good documentary to bolster the athlete’s image.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Nov 9, 2024 Full Review Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror (2022) 83% 3/4 “"Cyber Hell" chronicles the Nth Room, which targeted Korean women and underage girls. After tricking them into sending nude 'modeling' photos, the victims were subjected to blackmail, threats, and violent degradation.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Sep 1, 2024 Full Review One Sunny Day (2014) 2.5/3 “Ji Ho has just had his heartbroken, but it's not easy to feel sorry for him. His girlfriend was engaged to another man, but that didn't stop him from having a long-term affair with her. When she calls it off, he becomes even more solemn than usual.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Apr 8, 2024 Full Review Always (O-jik geu-dae-man) (2011) 3/4 “Both So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo are appealing in their roles. They convey the right emotions, without being maudlin or resorting to histrionics. Some might say that the ending was cheesy, but I found it to be delightful and full of hope.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Apr 8, 2024 Full Review Way Back Home (2013) 2/4 “The filmmakers clearly believe that while Jang Mi-Jeong (the woman on whom "Way Back Home" is based) may have been guilty, her crime was less egregious than the way South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs botched her case.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Mar 15, 2024 Full Review Past Lives (2023) 95% 4/4 “In this extraordinary Academy Award-nominated film “Past Lives,” the Korean concept of inyeon is used to lead viewers into believing that Nora and Hae-sung are destined to be together – if not in this lifetime, then in the future. ” – Salon.com Mar 8, 2024 Full Review The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019) 97% 2/4 “"The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" is not a great film, but it's watchable because its star is Ma Dong-seok. The burly actor stars as a mob boss whose street credibility takes a beating when he is nearly killed by a floppy-haired serial killer.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Oct 14, 2023 Full Review My Heart Puppy (2022) 2/4 “After learning that his long-time girlfriend is deathly allergic to dogs, Min-soo sets out on a journey to to find a new home for his beloved golden retriever. In the end, he realizes that the solution to his problem was nearby the whole time.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Sep 27, 2023 Full Review Rebound (2023) 3/4 ““Rebound” is based on the true story of Busan’s Jungang High School basketball team. Long past its glory years, the team isn’t a priority for the school’s administration. But led by newbie coach (Ahn Jae-hong), this feel-good film is a winner.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Sep 27, 2023 Full Review Midnight Runners (2017) 100% 3/4 “An entertaining cop-buddy film, “Midnight Runners” does a great job of blending comedy with action, while delving into the world of human trafficking and organ harvesting. The film is driven by the camaraderie between leads Park Seo-joon and Kan Ha-neul.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Aug 21, 2023 Full Review Way Back Home (2013) 2/4 “The filmmakers clearly believe that while Jang Mi-Jeong (the woman that "Way Back Home" is based on) may have been guilty of smuggling drugs, her crime was less egregious than the way South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs mishandled her case.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Aug 1, 2023 Full Review The Man Inside Me (2018) 3/4 ““The Dude In Me” is a body-switch film that centers on a high-ranking gangster and a high school student. When the latter accidentally falls from a roof, he lands on the mobster. While neither dies, the mishap somehow switches the pair’s bodies and minds.” – Jae-Ha Kim Jul 31, 2023 Full Review The Bros (2017) 2/4 “Ma Dong-Seok and Lee Dong-Hwi are an unlikely pair to cast as brothers. They look nothing alike, but therein lies the genius. Familial ties can be a curse, but woe be the outsider who tries to come between family. ” – Jae-Ha Kim Jul 31, 2023 Full Review The Thieves (2012) 71% 2/4 “A blockbuster hit in Korea, it reunites Jun Ji- Hyun and Lee Jung-Jae, who had previously shared the big screen in “Il Mare” — the 2000 film that was later remade as “The Lake House” with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Jul 31, 2023 Full Review Cheese in the Trap (2018) 2/4 “Based on the 2016 K-drama, "Cheese in the Trap" — which was based on the webtoon of the same name — this film adaptation is a good primer, but it's lacking in telling the characters' full stories.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Jul 28, 2023 Full Review Be With You (2018) 80% 3/4 “I knew going in that “Be With You” is a love story, where the plot is driven by the wife’s death and a fantastical premise of coming back to life. But the ending was unexpected…in a good way…and tied the film up in a way that gave me all the feels.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Jul 28, 2023 Full Review Always (2011) 3/4 “Both So Ji Sub and Han Hyo Joo are appealing in their roles. They convey the right emotions, without being maudlin or resorting to histrionics. Some might say that the ending was cheesy, but I found it to be delightful and full of hope.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Jul 28, 2023 Full Review Parasite (2019) 99% 4/4 “"Parasite" has already made history for South Korea as the country's first film to win a Best Picture Academy Award. There are some moments I can't wrap my head around though, and one of them was the inclusion of Illinois State into the dialogue.” – Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) Jul 28, 2023 Full Review Whales (1997) 2/4 “With narration by Patrick Stewart and a theme score by new age musician Yanni, you’d think that “Whales” would be smooth sailing. But the Omnimax film is a visual drag that lasts for 40 very long minutes.” – Jae-Ha Kim Jul 28, 2023 Full Review
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