Journalism

Sharing the story behind everyone and everything

JENNA'S BEST JOTS

I value journalism for its noble endeavor in rooting out hard truths and its ability to document, inform and empower. In the role of a journalist, I aspire to be as selfless as possible — to listen and observe as much as I can, and only inject my voice when absolutely compelled. I hope to spot unique patterns, present what is and what could be and empower people to think critically in an increasingly post-literacy world. To dive below the surface with the gift of time, or carve it out if I must. And to learn, learn, learn, so that I may continue to serve others. 

Thank you for taking a look at some of my selected works below. 

You’re welcome (and encouraged!) to click on the pages below to access my full portfolio per publication:

Arts & Entertainment

Published on October 30, 2023
 

Breaking News: The morning after Friends actor Matthew Perry passed away, I raised my hand to travel to the apartment building in NYC to gather quick-turn multimedia footage and photos. While visitors gathered to pay their respects, I made sure to approach with sensitivity and interviewed nine visitors along the way. Even though the rain was pouring hard, I treasured this moment more than anything to share the legacy of Perry and how he inspired so many people.

Published on November 21, 2023
 

Long-Form Feature: Often, it’s the most unexpected combinations that pique my interest in a story. So, when I first learned of a Netflix docu-short about a gathering of six dads of LGBTQ kids on a fishing trip, I was instantly hooked. Each of the dads I interviewed, including Dwyane Wade and Dennis Shepard, as well as director Luchina Fisher, lured me to tell a robust feature about how people from completely disparate backgrounds can become one and find solace in fatherhood. 

Published on February 23, 2024
 

Long-Form Feature: Out of all my work at PEOPLE, I’m most proud of the pieces I championed in the K-pop realm. With a unique understanding of K-pop given my past YouTube and performing arts experience, I went hard at expanding nuanced and in-depth coverage on nearly two dozen K-pop groups. I not only improved my writing chops with every piece, but gained valuable insight into cross-cultural celebrity profiles. 

  • Twice is arguably one of Korea’s biggest girl groups — known alongside the ranks of BTS and Blackpink. The group reposted the piece on their X (formerly Twitter) account, which generated 267,000+ impressions.

Other K-pop pieces with writing I’m proud of: 

Laufey Reflects on Love, Life and Sisterhood with Modern Jazz That Leaves Audiences ‘Bewitched’: ‘Most Magical Thing’ (Exclusive) — PEOPLE

Published November 22, 2023

Long-Form Feature: As an Iowan Asian American who loves the arts, Laufey had always been an artist that captured my attention. She not only has a unique ability to mesh the old soul of jazz with a Gen-Z audience, but also has a twin sister who plays a monumental role in her success. After I pitched this story and had the opportunity to interview them both, what finally resulted was Laufey’s first-ever feature in PEOPLE, just a few months before she won her first Grammy Award. Because of my own life-long experience in music, I also found passion in carving out a niche in music, with a particular focus on K-pop that I exercised in the rest of my time at PEOPLE.

Culture & Community

How Chicago’s tea community is stirring up the way we connect — The Chicago Tribune

Published on May 21, 2024

Enterprise Feature: It’s so fascinating the way stories beget stories. What started off as just a profile of one tea shop owner led into a fascinating rabbit hole, where I learned so much about how the timeless drink could form modern-day connections. Eventually, I decided to make my first enterprise pitch to the Chicago Tribune, where it became the online piece attached and a full print in the newspaper!

How NU’s conservation lab battles the test of time to preserve historic archives — The Daily Northwestern

Published on May 5, 2024

Enterprise Feature: As a long-time diary writer since 4th grade, I’ve been obsessed about documenting my own memories — and thus, the preservation of them. While wracked with my own worries about how my diary pages would last the ages, I became curious about how libraries were able to preserve certain books for hundreds of years. As this story idea developed in my mind, it coincidentally was also National Preservation Week! 

Investigation & Business

Political bobbleheads get the nod of approval from visitors to the RNC — The Wisconsin State Journal

Published on July 19, 2024

Enterprise Feature: While I was reporting at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, I discovered that Milwaukee was home to the largest bobblehead museum in the world! A gut instinct knew they housed political bobbleheads, and I thought it’d be a creative and fun idea to explore how popular the sales of those figures were in connection
to their real-life counterparts. The State Journal found this business story fun, and it became both a Top Story and an Editor’s Pick.

Bienen concert ‘The Last Message Received’ becomes a superspreader event — The Daily Northwestern

Published on May 13, 2022 

Investigative: How did one choir concert become a COVID-19 superspreader event literally overnight? This was the question I pondered as I launched into my first investigative story with The Daily NU. I made sure to not only do research, but to ensure that both sides of the issue had a voice at the table. 

Evanston small businesses unite in raffle fundraiser supporting Everytown for Gun Safety — The Daily Northwestern

Published on August 11, 2022

News/Feature: After the tragic Highland Park shooting on the Fourth of July, I wanted to capture how the Evanston small business community came to rally in support of their neighbors through their raffle. I interviewed leaders and members that were present at the parade. 

Politics & Technology

Too Afraid To Ask: Why did Twitter suspend Trump? — North by Northwestern

Published on Jan. 28, 2021

This article de-mystifies the controversy surrounding Twitter’s decision to ban former President Donald Trump from the popular social media platform.

Slipping margins: key takeaways from the Nov. 2 elections — North by Northwestern

Published on Nov. 15, 2021

All eyes focused on the gubernatorial and mayoral races which took place only one year after the 2020 presidential election. The results provided a national consensus on the political environment heading into the 2022 midterms.

Video & On-Camera

BLACKPINK is Back In Your Area

With the release of Pink Venom, Blackpink has come back from its two-year hiatus and has still managed to shatter records and sell out tickets on their ‘Born Pink’ world tour. How has the K-Pop girl group maintained its popularity and shattered all expectations? Let’s take a deeper dive and see what Northwestern’s Blackpink fans have to say.

I fully created this video for my Social Media Reporting Class. I had so much fun using Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator to bring this package to life. I’m very proud of this one! 🙂