California Love

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

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/

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.

"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.

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.