Since April 2024, this article entitled “Reporter’s Pick” has compiled recommendations from Tribune reporters, including books, movies & series, music, and "mat-zip" (good restaurant) sessions. We aim to expand Tribune readers' daily choices by providing our recommendations. –Ed.

<Movies & Series>

Oh Hyun-ju: “Mindhunter” is a series where FBI agents study the minds of notorious criminals through interviews. It's particularly fascinating because it accurately depicts real-life cases of heinous criminals. Why did they commit these murders?

Song Su-min: “Tick, Tick... Boom!” tells the story of Jonathan Larson, who once was a musical director with musical soundtracks. This would inspire the young who are wandering around, chasing their dreams.

Han Seung-hwan: Two main characters in the drama "Because This Is My First Life" agree to live in the same house while lying to others that they are married, but things do not go as planned. Because it is their first time in life, just like everyone else, the characters are always surprised and confused by the emotions they feel for the first time. It gives the message to the viewers that, after all, it is okay to be confused because it is our very first time living.

<Books>

Jung Da-gyo: A gifted writer, Dazai Osamu, wrote about hope in the middle of hopeless reality in “The Setting Sun.” His poetic and self-reflective literary language is grim but beautiful. I highly recommend this masterpiece!

Kim Ye-rin: The novel “Whale” was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2023. The main characters’ turbulent life stories encouraged me to go on with my life. The writer shares her extremely personal experiences on a trip to Europe in “Quiet Excitement.” The delicate writings made me listen to my emotions and senses and dream of my own trip.

<Music>

Kim Young-ji: The song "Artificial Grass" is about artificial grass envying real grass that can really breathe. I always listen to the album “PLAY” by AKMU when summer starts to visit. It has many nice songs to listen to while walking.

Choi Daniel: The song that I want to introduce is Jason Mraz's “I'm Yours,” released in June 2008. This song is really famous, as more than 10 million records were sold globally. The song is about love, confessing one's love to someone with sweet lyrics. Since it's really catching and cheerful, I'm pretty sure that you would like it.

<Mat-zip near Campus>

Jeong In-hu: ‘Rastar’ is an instant tteokbokki restaurant near CNU. Its service is very good, and you can eat delicious tteokbokki at a cheap price.

Bae Moon-seong: ‘Bboguri and Dulduri’ is my favorite flour-based food restaurant. Its food, including tteokbokki and gimbob, reminds me of the taste of home. It is a restaurant with great taste at a reasonable price!