I’m a long-time auto enthusiast, and I have the video game Gran Turismo and the Dodge Viper to thank for that. I have a soft spot for all cars, trucks, and SUVs. However, I am most fond of anything coming out of Korea and Japan. Over the last seven years as an auto journalist, I’ve been in countless vehicles, but it’s always the well-executed, attainable machine that manages to get me excited.
I got my start at MotorTrend, where I was an Associate Online Editor from 2014 to 2020. That was where I made myself known as “the Korean car guy.” Everyone else loved their European brands and American icons. Some were die-hard JDM fans, myself included. No one else went as deep as I did when it came to Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, and it showed.
Fast forward to December 2020, I started contributing to Alex on Autos and Wrecked Media Group’s EV Pulse, the latter of which specialized in electrified vehicles. These are crucial points because they helped me grow professionally. I’m now a specialist in electrified vehicles, I got more on-camera time as a presenter, and became social media savvy through creating short-form content on Instagram and TikTok. This helped expand my horizons and positioned me better because of the new knowledge and skill set.
Outside of cars, you’ll find me dabbling in food. This is my cultural link to the world. I began cooking extensively in college, which eventually helped me become more hands-on with my health and allowed me learning new recipes and put my twist on them. Sharing food customs with friends and family, and introducing people to new cuisines, is a big deal to me. It’s a way to show love, care, and appreciation for others.
My other interests include martial arts. I’ve been involved in it since I was 13, when my mom forced me into classes after I was bullied. What I initially didn’t like is now one of my passions; after the first week, I was hooked. After a hiatus between 2014 and 2019, I have returned to martial arts full-time. I received my first black belt at 15 in 2004. In November 2023, I got another black belt in American Kenpo, followed by my second-degree black belt in the same style in April of 2025.
As for my education, I have a BA and MA in History from California State University, Los Angeles. I did as many research classes as I could so I could write about different topics on the Cold War, pop culture, cars, Soviet gulags and dissidents, and LGBTQ+ People. I’ve won money for my research project on LGBTQ+ communities in post-Soviet Russia, which was a labor of love and one of my most prized accomplishments, especially as an LGBTQ individual.
If you’d like to see my recent professional work, feel free to peruse my work in the links below. My Instagram is also on here if you’d like to get a hold of me quickly.
MotorTrend (2014 to 2020)
Alex on Autos (2020 to 2021)
EV Pulse (2020 to 2022)
Flat Sixes (2020 to 2022)