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California Love: K-Pop Dreaming K-Pop Dreaming is about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles. Host Vivian Yoon takes listeners on a journey from K-pop's origins in Korean trot music and American presence in post-war South Korea to the 1992 LA Uprising and the booming global popularity of K-pop in the present day, all juxtaposed against Yoon's own coming-of-age as a second generation immigrant in Los Angeles, struggling to fit in and come to terms with her own identity. K-pop Dreaming is the second season of California Love, a podcast series from LAist Studios, which is a blend of memoir, pop culture analysis and oral history. In the first season Walter Thompson-Hernández was inspired by Tupac and Dr. Dre's "California Love"- a love letter and anthem for a generation. Walter invites listeners to join him in his family home, on horseback through the streets of Compton, and up into the sky to examine belonging.
California Love: K-Pop Dreaming

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K-pop Dreaming

California Love: K-Pop Dreaming

From LAist 89.3

K-Pop Dreaming is about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles. Host Vivian Yoon takes listeners on a journey from K-pop's origins in Korean trot music and American presence in post-war South Korea to the 1992 LA Uprising and the booming global popularity of K-pop in the present day, all juxtaposed against Yoon's own coming-of-age as a second generation immigrant in Los Angeles, struggling to fit in and come to terms with her own identity. K-pop Dreaming is the second season of California Love, a podcast series from LAist Studios, which is a blend of memoir, pop culture analysis and oral history. In the first season Walter Thompson-Hernández was inspired by Tupac and Dr. Dre's "California Love"- a love letter and anthem for a generation. Walter invites listeners to join him in his family home, on horseback through the streets of Compton, and up into the sky to examine belonging.

Most Recent Episodes

Special Feature: 'How To LA' at KCON

LAist returns to KCON in LA! How To LA host Brian De Los Santos caught up with K-pop Dreaming host Vivian Yoon to tour this year's KCON LA. Guests: Peter Sohn, director of Pixar's Elemental; Vivian Yoon, host of LAist's K-pop Dreaming; & Steve Chung, CEO of CJ ENM America. Music in this episode composed by: ATEEZ, BTS, Floating Points, Lamp, Masayoshi Takanaka, Maston, modarchive.org, Moon Mullins Listen to How To LA at laist.com/podcasts/how-to-la

Special Feature: Mount Rushmore, Part 1

Erick is excited about a trip to Mt. Rushmore, but he's upset when one of Luna's exes crashes the party. This is part two of a nine-part serialized rom-com for your ears. The scenes and characters in this episode are inspired by Erick Galindo's life, but it's a fictional story. What's the wildest thing you've done for love? Share with us at LAist.com/wildlove. You could be featured on the podcast. Support WILD and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join. Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/WILD Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Special Feature: A Southeast L.A. Rom-Com

Erick Galindo tells Megan Tan a fictional story about the wildest thing he did for love. It's inspired by his life. It all goes back to meeting Luna, a woman from Southeast Los Angeles. She could be the one. This is part one of a nine-part serialized rom-com for your ears. Have a WILD love story of your own? Share with us at LAist.com/wildlove. You could be featured on the podcast. Support WILD and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/WILD Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show! This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

K-Pop Dreaming - Bonus #4: K-Beauty

The popularity of Korean beauty products has spread globally, just like K-Pop. And we thought you might enjoy this conversation on the origins and rise of K-Beauty — not only as an industry, but as a new beauty standard. The conversation was part of a live event tied to the launch of the new book, "Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital," between the book's author Elise Hu and NPR's All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang. You can also watch this conversation here: https://laist.com/events/elise-hu-flawless To buy Elise Hu's book, visit https://northfigbookshop.com/ ((originally published June 9, 2023)) To view and attend future LAist events, visit: https://laist.com/events/

Shoes Off: Atsuko Okatsuka Wants Everyone To Feel Sexy

This week, the K-Pop Dreaming team is bringing you a special episode from our friends at, "Shoes Off: A Sexy Asian Podcast" from the public radio station, WBEZ. It's a podcast that celebrates badass Asians who are making a mark on pop culture and entertainment. In this episode stand-up comic, Atsuko Okatsuka, is taking the world by storm with her first HBO special, The Intruder, and her viral Drop Challenge on TikTok. She talks about how she learned English by watching Scooby-Doo, what it means to be named Margaret Cho's comedy heir, and how she took her mom and grandma everywhere — including to her honeymoon.

K-Pop Dreaming - Bonus #3: Origins of K-Pop

In a special live event in partnership between LAist Studios and GYOPO, Vivian delves into the origins of K-Pop with Michello Cho, a professor at University of Toronto, and Jheanelle Brown, a California Institute of the Arts faculty member. The conversation goes deep on the influence of hip hop on K-Pop's sound and dance, the impact of American imperialism on the music, and more. (originally published April 27, 2023) This episode features clips from these videos: Korean Kittens - What'd I Say: The Korean Kittens What'd I Say Girls' Generation - Genie: Girls' Generation 소녀시대 '소원을 말해봐 (Genie)' MV (Start at 00:35) BTS - Intro Performance Trailer: BTS (방탄소년단) 가요대제전 Intro performance Trailer Seo Taiji & Boys - Anyhow Song: 서태지와 아이들(Seotaiji and Boys) - 하여가(Anyhow Song) M/V Yoon Mirae - Black Happiness: [MV] Yoonmirae(윤미래) _ Black Happiness(검은 행복) - Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

K-Pop Dreaming - Bonus #2: The Making of Red Velvet's "Psycho"

"Psycho" was an instant K-Pop hit when it came out in 2019. The Red Velvet song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart, and the music video now has over 300 million views on Youtube. In this bonus episode, we look at the creation of "Psycho". Vivian speaks to two of the songwriters behind the song — and learns about a little-known incident that erupted just days before the song's release. (Originally published April 20, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

K-Pop Dreaming - Bonus #1: Danny Im

1TYM is one of the most iconic first-generation K-pop groups from the 90's. The group is also one of Vivian's all-time favorites. This special bonus episode features an extended interview with Danny Im, the lead vocalist of 1TYM. Danny talks to Vivian about meeting legendary K-pop producer YG in Koreatown for an impromptu audition, 1TYM's rise to fame during K-pop's infancy in the '90s and early 2000s, and Danny's first impressions of Jennie and Lisa — when the two auditioned for YG Entertainment before becoming members of BLACKPINK. (originally published April 13, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

K-Pop Dreaming - Ep 8: Koreatown

K-Pop has put Koreatown on the map for a lot of people who might not have known about the neighborhood otherwise. Fans from around the country visit the area for concerts, special K-Pop events, and to find rare or one-of-a-kind merch. Vivian hits up some of these establishments in K-town to see what they reveal about the history of the neighborhood and the music, and how those connections have shaped Korean Americans who have grown up in Los Angeles. Features Ryan Lee Wong, author of the novel, "Which Side Are You On". (originally published April 6, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

K-Pop Dreaming - Ep 7: KCON

There's no better place to experience K-Pop fandom in all of its passion and glory than KCON. In the span of a decade, the annual fan convention has grown to a nationwide event drawing hundreds of thousands of fans. And just like many things K-Pop-related in the US – the extravaganza started right here in Southern California. Vivian and her childhood friends visit KCON held in downtown Los Angeles to witness the impact of the music firsthand. (Originally published March 30, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

California Love: K-Pop Dreaming

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