Celebrity Travel: Go away with Sung J. Woo

For Sung J. Woo (“Everything Asian,” “Love Love,” “Skin Deep”), favorite locations often make appearances in his books. His upcoming novel “Lines” – which deftly weaves a story of love, loss and forgotten possibilities – is set in suburban New Jersey, downtown Manhattan, Waimea (Hawaii), Portland and Breitenbush (Oregon). “These are all places I've lived at or have visited,” the author said. “I adore integrating my travel experiences in my books. In fact, Breitenbush in particular plays a large part in this novel. They are known for their hot springs and it's the first time I was at a clothing-optional venue. Not sure there will be a second time, but it was memorable to say the least.” Scheduled for release on Oct. 29, “Lines” (Unsolicited Press) may be pre-ordered at https://www.newtonvillebooks.com/book/9781956692501. Woo shares his travels and work on Instagram (@sungjwoo)

Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself.

A: I turned 53 this year. I have to remind myself that if I'm talking to a kid in high school, that'd be like me at their age talking to somebody from the early 1950s – Truman and Eisenhower years. How on earth did I get this old? This is my 20th year living in Washington, New Jersey, which is apparently long enough for me to be included in Warren County's Wikipedia page under the notable people subsection. I give you my word that I didn't add that myself!

Q: Have you worked on any of your books on a plane, train or automobile?

A: I've suffered from motion sickness for as long as I can remember, so I can't do anything in a car outside of driving. But I can certainly write in hotels and I edited parts of my latest novel, “Lines,” in Brno, Czechia, in January 2019, at the Hotel Grandezza. There was snow on the ground. My good friend Mike and I walked those cobblestoned streets when I wasn't in front of the laptop.

Q: I know you love tennis. Where did you watch your favorite match?

A: The last match I saw is always the best. Emma Navarro vs. Marta Kostyuk at this year's US Open. The most memorable is in Doha, Qatar, in 2010, where I watched Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal close up, thanks to the cozy stadium. Playing-wise, red clay courts are a rarity in the US, so I relished hitting at Ala de Nun'Álvares de Gondomar in Portugal in 2023.

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you prefer a food truck or fine dining?

A: Fine dining, because I appreciate the entire experience. Don't get me wrong. I love food trucks and, of course, the taste and quality of the dishes matter more than anything. The fine dining establishment must have the fine cuisine to go along with it.

Q: Do you have any upcoming trips planned?

A: It’s my first time [in Montreal] right now and it won't be the last. Just a gorgeous city. We lunched at Toque! yesterday and it was haute cuisine at its finest.

Q: What is your favorite place to visit and why?

A: I have a two-word answer. Paris. Food. Of course there's Musée d'Orsay, the sound of their beautiful language, the river Seine, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower … but the food. Oh, the food.

Q: How do you separate work from vacation trips?

A: I never work while on vacation. Never!

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: Maybe it's because I'm literally here at the moment, but Montreal is so close to where I live – barely a one-hour flight – and it's a real find. Toque! is amazing, but so is this little sandwich shop, Shnoopi. As you can tell, I'm all about the food.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: For international trips, get a SIM card – or an eSIM, if your smartphone allows – before you leave!

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

A: Celebrating the new year in Vienna, Austria, with friends stands out. It was such a unique experience. They not only had the requisite fireworks, but the television channel also broadcast people dancing the waltz.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: I still dream of going to Sydney for the Australian Open tennis tournament. It's the only one missing on my Grand Slam resume. Such a long flight, though. And it's in January, so super hot, too.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: Like many people, I suffer from phone battery anxiety, so the external power brick goes where I go.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A: Fast food. Traveling is stressful, so I think it's stress eating.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)