Black Holes and Revelations
Korean indie rock trio Galaxy Express hopes to expand their brand of music both at home and abroad.
by SEAN S. CHUNG
Celebrated as one of South Korea’s most exciting live bands, Galaxy Express brought its infectious brand of garage rock, punk and psychedelia to appreciative audiences in the States last month. The rock band performed at the world-renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference in Austin, Tex., for the second year in a row, as well as other music venues in the Lone Star State and Arkansas.
Formed in Seoul in 2006, the trio is made up of guitarist/vocalist Jonghyun Park, bassist/vocalist Juhyun Lee and drummer Heekwon Kim. Their 2007 EPs, To the Galaxy and Ramble Around, garnered high praise from critics and was followed up by their full-length Noise on Fire, a double album that would go on to win “Best Rock Album” honors at the 2009 Korean Music Awards. MTV Iggy has dubbed the energetic rock band “the best live act to come out of Korea since … well, maybe ever.”
In 2011, the band had a banner year, embarking on its first North American tour, opening for Linkin Park in Seoul and winning “Musician of the Year” at the 2011 Korean Music Awards. Last month, members of Galaxy Express took a moment from their busy touring schedule to chat with KoreAm via email.
How does touring in North America compare to touring in Korea or elsewhere in Asia? Continue Reading »
Culinary Combat
Chef Beverly Kim reflects on her experiences as a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef: Texas.
by Monica Y. Hong
Chef Beverly Kim used to make dinner for her parents on Valentine’s Day and cook French food for extra credit in junior high—any excuse to get her hands dirty in the kitchen. These days, inspiration comes from Asian flavors and the dedication to her craft shone through on Bravo’s Top Chef, where she competed against 29 other chefs, making it to the top 7.
After the 32-year-old Midwest native was eliminated, she proved herself a warrior when she bested a handful of other castoffs in the “Last Chance Kitchen” web series to get back on the show and ended up finishing in an impressive fourth place. The chef de cuisine at Chicago’s Aria restaurant took time out after a busy lunch rush to chat with KoreAm.
KoreAm Journal: Did you watch the show?
Beverly Kim: Oh, absolutely, I’ve watched all the episodes. It’s been sort of nerve-wracking to watch myself on TV. Even though I know what happens, it’s the first time I see how they’re going to edit it and how it’s going to be portrayed. So my whole body is shaking as it starts and my heart starts racing.
KJ: Do you think it was a fair representation?
BK: I think that it’s hard to capture the totality of anybody in a one-hour show. They portrayed me as a very nice person, a good person, a very open person, and a really hospitable person. Maybe a little bit on the meek side, but I think they tried to play it where my strengths really came out and that I was trying to prove myself through my work and my craft. I think that it was fair to who I am.
KJ: Did you feel like you were the underdog? Continue Reading »
Photo via San Francisco Chronicle
by Aruna Lee of New America Media
SAN FRANCISCO — The shooting that killed seven at a private Christian university in Oakland would never have happened in Korea, where owning a firearm is outlawed. That at least is the assessment of community members who point to America’s own thriving gun culture as a causal factor in this and other incidents.
“Gun possession is a major factor in the deadly shootings,” said Nam Paik, pastor of the Northern California Deaf Church based in Fremont, Calif. “Sometimes frustration and anger can boil over into direct and violent action through the use of firearms.”
The shooting, the Bay Area’s worst mass murder in nearly two decades, occurred Monday morning at Oikos University, in a business park between Interstate 880 and Oakland International Airport. Another three were injured in the slaughter, according to police.
The shooter has been identified as 43-year-old naturalized Korean American One (Won) Goh, a former nursing student at the school. A report in the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Goh may have been involved in a dispute with campus officials. He was apprehended an hour-and-a-half later in Alameda, after having fled in a victim’s car.
“Life as an immigrant in this country can be very isolating and lonely,” explained Paik. “Also, the violence in American culture… with high rates of gun possession and an entertainment industry that glorifies violence can definitely influence people.”
One of the victims, Hyun-joo Shim, 21, was enrolled in the school’s nursing program, according to Joo-young Hwang, a reporter with the Korean-language Korea Daily. Hwang says the victim’s father had been waiting just off campus for his daughter to come out. “I have a bad feeling,” he told Hwang, after failing to reach Shim by phone. Continue Reading »
Name: Brian Kim
Age: 18
Location: Washington, D.C.
Occupation: Student at American University
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents have definitely been the most influential because they have always preached to “be a good person.” They’ve never pushed me to extremes like a stereotypical Asian “tiger mom” would but always told me to try my best in all that I do. Not only do they instill these values in me, they practice what they preach!
What would you leave in your will for the person you care about the most?
Every penny I’ve got. Will it matter when I’m dead?
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning? Continue Reading »
On March 31, 2012, join the mayor’s volunteer and service campaign, “We Serve LA,” and the Los Angeles Food Policy Council as they partner up to hold “Good Food Day-LA.”
This citywide day of service will be dedicated to learning about, celebrating, and volunteering to strengthen the local food system of Los Angeles. A unique cabbage cooking contest, “From Kim Chee to Cole Slaw,” will take place under the Spring Street Bridge at Metabolic Studio (1745 N. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA) near Chinatown.
The contest’s categories are: Best fermented dish (kimchi, sauerkraut), Best fresh dish (coleslaw, curtido) and Best cooked dish (cabbage rolls, cabbage soup).
Former LA City Councilman Mike Woo will host the contest and judges will include Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold, Chef Josiah Citrin, Councilman Eric Garcetti, among others. Continue Reading »
FOR ONLY $28!
Featured Event
One of the the biggest Asian cinema events to hit Southern California opens on May 10. The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, presented by Visual Communications, features the latest works by established and emerging filmmakers, along with seminars, panel discussions and symposiums on topics relevant to Asian Pacific cinema.
Opening Night features “Shanghai Calling,” directed by Daniel Hsia and starring Korean American Daniel Henney, who plays a Chinese American expat lawyer navigating his way through the mean streets of Shanghai (the picture above also indicates he is a raisin smuggler). But does he take off his shirt? Go watch the movie to find out! read more
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