Jachin Lam - The Tufts Daily

Column

Another Bites The Dust: Finding love in K-pop is cancel-worthy

By Jachin Lam | April 24

When talking about fan-celebrity culture, K-pop fans, particularly the “ARMY” (BTS’s fanbase), do not have the best reputation online. Many of them would go to great lengths online for their favorite group or idols. However, it is also a norm within that culture for K-pop idols to appear ‘single’ for their fans. So when they get caught being in a relationship, scandal ensues. As a long-time participant in these fanbases, I wanted to use EXO’s Chen’s cancellation to highlight this phenomenon and what it says about parasocial relationships, because obsessive fan behavior is not exclusive to K-pop, especially when we live in a loneliness epidemic where people are desperate to seek out any form of attachment, even with someone on a screen.

Viewpoint

Disney’s never-ending prequels, sequels, remakes

By Jachin Lam | April 21

From the upcoming live-action “Moana” (2026) to “Toy Story 5” (2026) releasing this summer, Disney’s roster is filled with endless sequels, prequels and remakes. Much of the public perception of this creative decision has been negative, with many complaining that the films are full of nostalgia bait or are simply easy cash grabs for the company. Yet, these films have generated billions of dollars for the corporation. So, is this fatigue really the public’s dominant view? And is this phenomenon going away anytime soon?

Column

Another Bites The Dust: The Timothée Chalamet backlash really isn’t that deep

By Jachin Lam | April 3

With the Oscars closing out the awards season earlier this month, one of the most heated controversies leading up to the ceremony was Timothée Chalamet’s infamous comment about ballet and opera. I stumbled across his statement in the many clips and videos cut from his Variety & CNN Town Hall conversation with Matthew McConaughey. There were thousands of comments and online discussions about his remarks, with the majority criticizing Chalamet. However, upon taking a closer look at the video, as well as Chalamet’s Oscar campaign for his film “Marty Supreme,” I feel as if the internet’s reactions toward him are coming from a place other than simple criticism.

Viewpoint

Jubilee is stupid

By Jachin Lam | March 28

Looking through Jubilee’s YouTube channel, you might stumble across their bio — “Provoke Human Connection” — but right below, you’ll see videos like “Mass Shooting Survivors vs NRA Members” or “Men Rank Themselves by Penile Size.” Jubilee certainly provokes its viewers, but I’m not sure whether they really foster human connection with their videos.

Column

Another Bites The Dust: J.K. Rowling and Potterheads

By Jachin Lam | March 11

J.K. Rowling, author of the “Harry Potter” book series, has been a controversial figure online in recent years. Her cancellation has been of great interest to me because of my attachment to the aforementioned “Harry Potter” series growing up. So it is monumental to witness someone of such immense cultural and financial success fall from the public’s eye to such a degree.

Column

Another Bites The Dust: A deep dive into cancel culture

By Jachin Lam | February 18

Like many other kids, I was obsessed with “Harry Potter” growing up. I never enjoyed reading back then; it always felt like a chore. That is until my friend recommended the “Harry Potter” series to me.

Viewpoint

Are the Oscars really merit-based?

By Jachin Lam | December 8

As we await next year’s Oscars and nominees, I’ve been thinking about past winners — especially the 2023 awards season in which two actors, Ke Huy Quan and Brendan Fraser, made major Hollywood comebacks with Oscars in hand, and Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian woman to win Best Actress. The entire “Everything Everywhere All At Once” cast and crew swept that year’s award season, with much of their campaign gaining internet buzz due to the movie’s significance resonating with the Asian American community. One outlier in their success, however, was Jamie Lee Curtis’ first Oscar win, which many referred to as a ‘legacy Oscar.’ This prompted me to think more about how awards campaigns work — and whether some winners truly ‘deserve’ these so-called ‘legacy Oscars,’ or whether they should stop being handed out altogether.

Opinion

Netflix’s “Adolescence”: What is happening to young men?

By Jachin Lam | November 5

With awards season approaching, Netflix’s limited series “Adolescence” has gained significant traction from both the public and acclaimed critics, having already hadimmense success and historical wins at the Emmys last month. Much of the show’s attention surrounds its subject matter, tackling rising issues such astoxic masculinity and the online radicalization of young men, both of which have been plaguing the internet in recent years.

photograph-of-socks-the-cat-standing-on-the-press-podium-in-the-press-room-fd4356-1024.jpg

Viewpoint

Cat-didates or candidates? What a cat election tells us about the state of politics

By Jachin Lam | October 9

On Sept. 16, a new, special mayor was announced in Somerville: one who emerged from a tight, grueling race over the summer, in a campaign that had residents sitting on the edge of their seats. Oh, and the preliminary elections for Somerville mayor happened too.