KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

You might know Michael Yo from Chelsea Lately and his radio show on Miami’s Y100. The rising TV/radio personality, stand-up comedian, and new host of The Yo Show on Yahoo! has always made an impression with his goofy humor and effervescent smile, making him a lethal combination for attracting ladies and securing hilarious celebrity interviews. (On a side note, he is single and looking to settle down!)

We sat down with Michael to talk about his radio beginnings, working with Chelsea Handler, his mother’s influence on his comedy work, and his memorable interview with Katy Perry.

Judge for yourself how this self-proclaimed “half-black brother with a Korean mother” makes the art of interviewing a comedy act in itself!

Before you became a TV personality and stand-up comedian, you got your first big break as a host for a popular radio station in Austin. How did you get into radio?

I was in high school and met a good friend of mine, Paul Cubby Bryant. He was the big nighttime DJ in Houston, Texas at 104 KRBE and hooked me up with an internship. I worked for free for almost 6 months but loved every minute of it. My radio career took off from there.

What was the transition like moving from radio to TV? Which do you prefer?

I love both, but for different reasons. I love radio because it’s one of the only outlets that people can still reach out and interact with you. If they disagree with you, they can call you and tell you. Radio helps you keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on. On the flip side, I like TV because you get more opportunities to interview people that are relevant to pop culture. Interviewing people, that’s my favorite thing to do.

Michael with actor Hugh Jackman

You’ve been a correspondent for E! since 2008 and make frequent appearances on Chelsea Lately. How do you handle the craziness that undoubtedly happens on set? And what’s it like working with Chelsea?

Chelsea is AMAZING!!! She is one of the most loyal and caring people I know. She has done so much for my career. On the show, she gives me a hard time, but I know she loves me :) She always f—ks with me before I go on set. She’ll come backstage and say “Hi” to everyone but me. She’s trying to get into my head, but that’s when I know it’s going to be a great round table.

How does it feel to host your very on show on Yahoo!? What can viewers expect from The Yo Show on Yahoo! that will distinguish it from other entertainment news outlets?

Having my own show is a dream come true. It’s a lot of fun to see your ideas come to life in a piece, and without my amazing staff, this wouldn’t be possible. My show is different than other shows because it has my voice and personality and really shows my love for everything pop culture. I really enjoy interviewing people, but I like making it more of a hang-out than an interview. In our first week, we already broke over 8 million views! We only were expected to do a couple of million the first month.  I can’t say thank you enough to people that watch the Yo Show on Yahoo! You guys mean the world.

You have been performing shows for your Hot Mess Tour all across the country. What attracted you to stand-up, and how would you characterize your style of comedy? Does coming from a mixed background influence your comedy?

I never wanted to do stand up, but Jo Koy and Josh Wolf (who are regulars on Chelsea) always told me I should try it. I tweeted one day that I was working on my act, and the next day on Chelsea, she called me out and told me I have one week to do it. My first show was at the Miami Improv. After I got off stage, I called my mom and told her “I LOVE Stand Up!” By the time my second show came around, I was opening up for the Wayans Brothers.

My stand up is usually about me growing up with a black father and Korean mother in Houston, Texas. It’s more of story telling rather than rapid-fire jokes. My mom’s name is “Kum” so we definitely have fun with that. I talk about all the weird situations I was put in introducing my mom to people. When I was young, my mom didn’t know what cum meant, so she would add her name to things she shouldn’t. Like wanting to open her own burger shop and call it Kum Burger. Not Good!

You frequently call your mother on your radio show for Y-100. What kind of role has she played throughout your life? And how does “Mama Yo” feel about your career path in entertainment?

My mom is my rock. If I need a honest opinion, I go to her. There is no filter when you ask an Asian woman their opinion. Like every typical Korean mom, she wanted me to excel in school… and that didn’t happen! She definitely couldn’t brag to the other Korean mothers about my grades. I think she was upset that she never had a bumper sticker that said “My Kid is a Straight A Student” but now she can have one that says “My Kid is on TV, screw your Straight As!”

My mom loves what’s going on with my career and is always asking tons of questions. My dad and I think she should be on TV because she can ask questions for hours without a break or silence. (Just kidding, mom!) One thing great about my parents is that they have been together 38 years (whoop whoop)! And they have never put pressure on me in anyway about my career. They always have just wanted me to be happy.

Being at the frontline of some of Hollywood’s biggest events, you must notice the lack of Asian American actors, entertainers and musicians in mainstream media. From the four years you’ve been working at E!, do you feel like Hollywood is recognizing and becoming more supportive of Asian American talents?

I think the landscape in Hollywood is always open to new ideas and culture. Yes, Asians do not have a huge presence in Hollywood as of now, but that could change with the right script, TV show or movie. Hollywood goes with what is hot no matter what that ethnicity may be.

Any words of advice for people trying to make a name for themselves as a TV/radio personality?

Yes! Always be yourself and be confident in who you are. That’s one thing stand-up comedy has done for me… it let me find my own voice. I used to go to auditions trying to be what they wanted me to be. Now in auditions, I never lose my sense of myself. I think that’s the key to standing out and becoming successful: being true to yourself.

Lastly, can you share with us your most hilariously embarrassing celebrity encounter?

Sure! I interviewed Katy Perry on the set of Sesame Street a while back. After the interview she got up and ripped the loudest fart! It was funny, but awkward! I was speechless for the first time.

Follow Michael Yo on Facebook and Twitter.
Watch The Yo Show on Yahoo!, and catch him on Y100 radio’s The Yo! Show.
To learn more about Michael and his upcoming comedy shows, check out his website: www.michaelyo.com.

[Photos: Courtesy of Michael Yo]

Just as how our own KAs@Work series profiles Korean Americans across the country who are finding success in unconventional careers, a new exciting TV talk show is taking the next step by bringing these stories to your television screens.

The Portfolio has already begun to air on The Korean Channel every Sunday night, and the friendly, easy tone of the interviews has brought a new nuance to Korean heritage. We spoke with producer Sunah Kim and co-hosts Kevin Kim and So-Chung Shinn to learn about their prospects for the show and what viewers can expect to see on the program.

How did the concept for ‘The Portfolio’ come about?

Sunah: Kevin and So-Chung had a weekly show on Korea Radio Broadcast in Flushing for three months in 2010. The enthusiastic, positive feedback from the Korean American community made them realize that there was a need for an in-depth television talk show that profiles Korean Americans and their paths to success. I was brought in to provide some advice based on my experience in film and television production. When I met Kevin and So-Chung, I was overwhelmed by their passion and sincerity, and their mission statements appealed to me strongly, too. So, I decided on the spot to join the team and produce the show, and that’s how The Portfolio came about.

Kevin and So-Chung, both of you come from such different backgrounds. How would you describe each of your roles’ as co-hosts on the show?

Kevin: I believe that our personal and professional backgrounds complement each other extremely well.  So-Chung is the modern day “superwoman/renaissance woman.” She balances family with work, and then on top of that, philanthropy in a way that is truly amazing.  We definitely need to have her on as a guest because so many young women could learn so much from her.  Her expertise in opera, and the arts in general, with her accomplishments in the publishing world, allow her to bring in a perspective that I do not have based on my background. I see my role as the “lay person” in every interview who wants to ask the question on behalf of people who may not have the subject matter expertise of a particular guest’s industry.

So-Chung: Although we have different backgrounds, we share many similarities. We understand the challenges and rewards in balancing family and professional life. We want to promote healthy thinking and help the greater good. It is easy to say that we complement each other because we offer different perspectives, knowledge, and experiences from varying industries. This may be true, but our greater strength lies in our similar desire to help the community by sharing inspirational stories with our audience.

Of course, we find strength in our differences as well. Kevin’s experience in public service is a tremendous asset for The Portfolio. He is instantly likable and has a natural gift for identifying with others, which reassures our guests and makes them feel comfortable. He is very bright and has worked hard to achieve his own successful career, which is inspirational to our viewers. In other words, he fits the profile of our guests, and I look forward to interviewing him on the show someday!

Co-Hosts Kevin and So-Chung

Kevin, what challenges does co-hosting ‘The Portfolio’ bring that vary from your work in public service?

There are a lot more similarities than I originally thought between shooting a TV talk show and running for office.  You realize from the moment the camera turns on, you are in the public eye much in the same way when running for office; every movement or comment you make is being scrutinized by someone.  On the other hand, playing the role of a co-host is more challenging in some ways because you have to be much more multi-dimensional in expressing yourself to a television audience.  This entails asking questions sometimes that you may already know the answer to, but you want to make sure that the audience gets to hear the answer directly from the guest.  It’s also a challenge to learn about a new industry each time.  I think people generally don’t realize how much background research is done on the guest and his/her profession or industry prior to the guest arriving on the set.

So-Chung, You’ve had a lot of experience as a former editor and contributor for various publications. Now, you’re co-hosting a weekly television show. How does it feel to be in front of the camera?

Kevin and I are fortunate to have the support and guidance of our experienced and dedicated producer/director Sunah. Surprisingly, I feel comfortable during tapings and don’t think much about the camera, especially when the conversation starts to pick up momentum. Of course, I’ve been able to draw on my past experience as a writer/editor during the interview process. Whether I am writing for a magazine or taping an episode of The Portfolio, I need to know how to ask questions to learn about the subject and then share this information with readers. I trust our team completely (camera, editor, producer/director, co-host), which makes it easier to focus on the task at hand: making our guests feel welcome and facilitating a conversation that is natural, enlightening, enjoyable, and educational.

Episode 2: Greg Pak, Filmmaker / Comic Book Writer

What are your criteria for recruiting guests for the show?

Our guests are those who live their dreams and inspire others along the way. Success has many faces. Our focus is more on the pursuit of happiness and personal fulfillment rather than financial stardom. Our guests have overcome many obstacles and challenges and may have made many mistakes to get where they are. They have to be willing to share not only their success stories but also their vulnerable moments. They should come to our show to serve as role models for the next generation and not as a promotional tool. And most importantly, they have to share Korean heritage.

We’ll also introduce prominent Korean American organizations that are contributing for KA communities such as Korean American Community Foundation, Korean Cultural Center, Manhattan Korean School, Korean American Family Service Center, and of course, Korean Beacon! The power of community comes from working together! We hope to be a useful and informative source for our young generations when they try to find their paths in this world.

Why is it important for viewers to learn about successful Korean Americans from different industries?

To achieve personal fulfillment, one should not be forced into a line of work that does not feel natural or interesting to them. We want our viewers to understand and appreciate that there are many exciting professions available to them. Unfortunately, many Korean Americans have grown up believing that the only path to success was through medicine, business, or law. We hope to dispel this myth by presenting many different career choices so that they can appreciate their own interests and learn how to take it to the next level. Because our guests are diverse and passionate, our viewers will be able to find someone with whom they can identify and be encouraged to turn their passion into their career.

Episode 3: Hooni Kim, Chef & Owner of Danji

Who would you love to have as a dream guest on the show?

There are so many! We’d like to invite all the wonderful KAs from many different fields. That would include actors such as John Cho and Sandra Oh, LPGA golfer Christina Kim, MVP football player Hines Ward, award-winning author Chang Rae Lee, co-publisher of DC Comics Jim Lee, fashion designer Doo-Ri Chung, business consultant and bestselling author Jane Hyun – ah, the list goes on and on!

Are there any plans to expand the program’s reach to the entire nation? How can viewers who don’t live in the broadcast area gain access to the program’s episodes?

After we complete our first season run, we’ll reach out to other Korean stations in the U.S. and also possibly cable networks in South Korea. For further information, please visit our website.

The Portfolio
- Broadcast weekly at 9PM on Sunday evenings
- Available through The Korean Channel (TKC) through Time Warner Cable (76 & 531) and Cablevision (263) in the New York metropolitan area, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

Episodes are also available online here. “Like” them on Facebook.

[Photos: The Portfolio]

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

Cat Chung may have only been in New York for two years, but she already thinks (and speaks her mind!) like a true-born New Yorker. We caught up with her to hear how she got her start working with Kollaboration NY and what it means to be a Korean American in New York today.

What do you do?

I work full-time in entertainment ad sales at Turner Broadcasting and serve as the executive director of the New York extension of a non-profit organization called Kollaboration. Kollaboration is an annual talent showcase and movement that seeks to empower the Asian American community and help launch rising APA artists into mainstream entertainment. I also do freelance marketing, PR, event-production, and graphic design.

Based off of your extensive resume, you have had a lot of experience in marketing and PR. How has social media changed the direction of your industry?

Social media is the new wild west. The landscape is constantly evolving with innovation, trends, and technology. Social media has changed the way conversations are taking place, who’s initiating them, and how information is shared. No matter who you are, you’re able to express an opinion that has potential to elicit an action or influence others, regardless of that being your original intention or not. On the other end, companies/brands/influencers need to find their voice, actively engage their audience and really listen and respond to their consumers, now more than ever.

How do you balance between working for a public company, Turner Broadcasting, and a non-profit organization, Kollaboration New York?

One word: coffee. I’m not even going to sugarcoat it—balancing between two full-time capacities is not easy. There have been plenty of days of little to no sleep. But I am fortunate to work for a company that strongly encourages a work/life balance and has a commitment to philanthropic initiatives. Not only has the stability at Turner allowed me to fully dedicate my time to Kollaboration New York after-hours, but the company has also contributed a monetary grant to recognize the hours I’ve volunteered.

What motivated you to pursue a position at Kollaboration NY, and how did you find yourself working there?

Senior year at Syracuse University (go Orange!), I decided to attend the Korean American Student Conference (KASCON) during spring break. With a passion for entertainment, I naturally signed up for speaker sessions featuring Ted Chung, Michael Kang and Paul “PK” Kim. After learning about their experiences and attending my first Kollaboration show, I was beyond inspired. It was the first time I was made aware that Korean Americans were a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry, and I was determined to be a part of that next generation of game-changers.

After KASCON, I reached out to PK inquiring on how I could get more involved with Kollaboration. He connected me with Jinny Jung, the director of Kollaboration New York at the time. Immediately, I hit the ground running and eventually joined staff  ‘full-time’ as the PR manager. Through Kollaboration New York, I’ve met some of the most influential people in my life, who’ve provided me countless opportunities to strengthen my professional and personal development. Kollaboration proves to continuously open doors, both for the community of artists out there and all those involved in building the movement.

What distinguishes Kollaboration NY from the other Kollaboration cities?

Kollaboration New York is different from other cities because New York truly thrives on the ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality and moves at lightning speed. Not to say that this doesn’t exist elsewhere, but the level of competition here is unreal, especially when it comes to the performing arts. As an artist, competition is all around you. From the guy with his guitar in the subway, to the guy with his guitar on the corner, to the guy with his guitar in the apartment above you. If you can’t bring it twice as hard, someone else will. And in the end, this city will eat you alive.

New Yorkers also have the best of the best here, and naturally, there is an inherent sense of elitism. For these reasons, Kollaboration New York needs to execute at a higher standard to compete with the hundreds of things that are fighting for people’s time and attention. We had over 50 acts audition for this Kollaboration New York this year, and we selected the top seven. New York demands the best and this city better watch out because we’ve got it.

Kollaboration New York 6. Thursday, September 29. Irving Plaza. BE THERE.

When scouting for new talent, what specifically catches your eye? And what do you think it takes to succeed as an artist?

When scouting for new talent, the x-factors I look for are solid work ethic, a strong sense of self, and stage presence. It’s all about hard work and creating a powerful brand as an artist. In order to succeed as an artist, you need to continuously refine your craft – practice makes perfect, right? An artist needs to understand who s/he is, what s/he believes in and stick by it. S/he should be his/her biggest champion in order to convince anyone else to give him/her a chance. There are SO many artists out there doing exactly what you’re doing, so why you? An artist should always be networking and building relationships with key influencers. Hustle recognizes hustle, and when you’ve got that x-factor, those people will sing your praises and help create opportunities for you.

The way people are listening and discovering music has also changed, and the music industry has suffered because of it. Traditional paths to music success are quickly becoming defunct. With online music streaming applications like Spotify and Grooveshark on the rise, artists need to understand the shift, the industry trends, and get creative.

Can you name us some of your favorite artists who have gone through Kollaboration NY?

Although all of our competitors have been incredible, my personal favorites are Jen Kwok and PaperDoll. Jen is not afraid to be herself. She exudes so much confidence on stage. How she’s able to sing ‘Don’t gotta be serious, just f*** an Asian man. At least f*** one, at least, least f*** one!’ on stage with a straight face is beyond me, but this is precisely why she’s awesome. Teresa of PaperDoll has the most incredible stage presence. When she performs, she is unapologetic and truly commands the stage with her energy.

Kollaboration New York
http://www.facebook.com/KollabNY
Follow Cat on Twitter: @CatChung

[Photos: Courtesy of Cat Chung]

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

Keeping up with fashion trends can be exhausting, but thankfully, there are people like Patty Park to tell us what’s new and hot in the world of style. Along with partner Lisa Sohn, she runs 2.0 Agency, a successful fashion purchasing agency largely responsible for anything and everything retail fashion-related in Downtown LA.

What do you do?

We are a buying office in the LA Fashion District’s San Pedro Wholesale Mart. As the middlemen between the retailers and the vendors, we forecast trends that are happening in the San Pedro Wholesale Mart. Because we are located in the heart of it, we offer convenient and quick access to all the new merchandise in the stores. We have a team that is in the field every day to build relationships with the wholesales and to see what’s in stores. Furthermore, we can immediately deliver the merchandise to our clients. This is an advantage to their consumers who want to see new products constantly.

When and how did you decide to start-up 2.0 Agency?

We started a year and a half ago and are now connecting over 500 retail stores including international clients to the San Pedro wholesale community in the LA Fashion District.My business partner, Lisa Sohn and I decided to start 2.0 Agency because we wanted to give back to the Korean community. Because many wholesalers here speak English as a second language, Lisa and I, who are both Korean-speaking Americans, are able to have an easier time doing business with them. With hundreds of wholesalers selling nearly identical products, the competition is fierce.

How did you get the inspiration for the name of your business?

I’m personally a second-generation Korean American and it’s important to me that I give back. My father has also been in the fashion business for decades, so being here is really in my genes. That’s why my company has the ‘2.0’ in ‘Agency’. We’re here to bridge the gap.

Your field requires you to stay up-to-date with current and future fashion trends. How do you keep up with what what’s trending?

Our proximity to the wholesale stores gives us an advantage to stay-up-to-date with current and future fashion trends. We walk to these stores every day and are able to see what is in style at this very moment before any other retailer can see it. Additionally, my business partner Lisa Sohn, owns a women’s retail store on Melrose Avenue. This is where we put into effect our market research. Because 70% of her customers are tourist based, we get a firsthand look at how a wide spectrum of people shop. We also test new merchandise at the store and see which styles and trends are selling the most.

What’s an average work day look like for you?

Every Monday I stop by the flower mart and pick up fresh flowers which gives a fresh start to every week. We usually start the day with a staff meeting to go over what needs to get done and regroup. My day varies, but typically includes meeting or speaking with potential clients, and meeting with my business advisors to discuss future business development. We are always trying to come up with innovative ideas to keep our agency growing and expanding.

What advice would you give to people interested in pursuing fashion merchandising as a career?

Internships, internships, internships! Also, don’t be afraid to test things out and see what you like. Unless you try, you won’t ever know.

Lastly, what fashion trends should our readers be looking forward to this Fall season?

The fashion trends for this Fall will include Aztec prints and animal prints which have both been very strong since Spring. Also, look out for color block sweaters and blazers. For bottoms, high-waist pants in denim and palazzo wide leg style in knits will be big.

[Photos: Courtesy of Patty Park]

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

Weddings only happen once in a lifetime (technically), but people spend countless years dreaming about their special day. Wedding enthusiasts worldwide will be envious of Kenny Kim, a Chicago-based destination wedding photographer who experiences the glamour, romance and decadence of weddings on a daily basis. We ask Kenny Kim what it’s like to have one of the most romantic jobs on Earth.

What attracted you to photography, specifically wedding photography?

Everyone communicates in different ways.  For me, it was through my camera. I love capturing the story and the raw emotion I can convey from and through my subjects. I enjoy meeting people and learning a little about their backgrounds and history. It helps to frame the moment I am trying to capture and allows me to have that opportunity to walk into people’s lives at their happiest moments and document all the details that happen throughout the day—and hopefully communicate that story properly through my photos.

You have shot over one hundred weddings, I know this might be a tough question, but which wedding was the most memorable, and why?

I know it might sound a bit trite and corny, but I really believe that my favorite shoot is the next one I have scheduled.  To me, the process of setting up each shoot and the execution of that shoot is the best part. I try and look back from time to time and reflect on some of the great times, photos and execution elements on certain shoots, but I do this to see what adjustments I can make to improve on those elements for the next client. Having said this, some of my favorite weddings have come from unique places I have traveled to. Some of these places include Italy, England, Korea, Caribbean, Mexico and Africa.

Any future projects you are working on? (I understand you have a PhotoVenture coming up.)

I just completed my second book called Digital Wedding Photography Photo Workshop and am currently wrapped up in the middle of my busy wedding season. I have a couple of workshops coming up in the near future. The first is in England, which will be held in Corsham, Wiltshire, just outside of London. The second one will be a week-long photo trip/workshop to Venice, Italy in November. Both will provide unique opportunities for photographers to learn and improve their craft and allow opportunities to expand their network.

As an award-winning wedding photographer, do you have any advice for people wanting to pursue a career in wedding photography?

Purchase my books? :-) All jokes aside, I think the best advice to give them is to practice, practice and practice. So many new photographers go out and purchase a digital camera and think that they can now call themselves a wedding photographer. That would be like me going out to a department store, buying all these kitchen appliances and calling myself a professional chef. It takes time to cultivate your talent and to properly start up a business. There are many good resources and workshops out there that can help you to get started off on the right foot.

Lastly, what do you do on your downtime?

Downtime? What does that mean? :-) I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and other friends. I also love to travel and explore new cultures and professions. One of the things about being a wedding photographer is that my source of inspiration comes from everything surrounding me – whether it be watching movies or meeting new people. All these opportunities allow me to get creative ideas and network to expand my business.

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

There are talent agents, sports agents, and even real estate agents. But did you know that authors have agents, too? Labeled “The Game Changers,” WME Entertainment‘s Kirby Kim and three other literary agents stand together on the cover of the July/August issue of Poets & Writers. We caught up with Kirby to learn more about this career that is often overlooked.

What do you do?

I represent authors. That means a few things, but my functions include filtering and conceptualizing projects, editing manuscripts and proposals, advocating for writers, negotiating deals, and often acting as an intermediary between author and publisher.

How did you get your start as a literary agent?

I was in law school and wondering why. Really didn’t want to be a lawyer so tried to figure out something I could use the degree towards and found a job description for a literary agent. It sounded like it would be challenging but stimulating and also like something that could evolve with my own changing tastes and interests. I moved to New York after being unable to find anything in LA, where I’m from and was living after school. Worked at a small book packaging operation for a few months until a friend of mine was leaving a job as an agent’s assistant to go to law school. Got a personal referral and luckily got the job. Then I just stuck with it.

What do you like most about your job?

I can follow a passion. I can fall in love with a manuscript or a project and I can be a part of that. That I can be motivated by my own admiration for something or someone and that can be the driving force for what I do.

How do you feel about the growing popularity of electronic books and e-readers?

I love my Kindle and I love the convenience. I also like that there’s a lower environmental cost to it all. But I do think it kills the brick-and-mortar store, and that there are possible consequences to the format and its growing popularity that may be damaging to book publishing in general. I’m all for progress but I can’t get around the notion that the net effect will be detrimental to the business of book publishing, although it may be better for writers in general.

Any advice for writers trying to get published?

Sure. Read as much as you write. Know where you fit in the marketplace for the kind of book you’re writing. It’ll help you and your agent figure out what the book is, why it’s necessary, and how best to market it. I know such advice isn’t that romantic, but I think if the aim is to find a home with a general trade publisher you need to think about such things.

Finally, if you could read only one more book before you die, what would it be and why?

Infinite Jest. Not because I’m a huge David Foster Wallace fan, or because I think the book itself is pure genius. I would just want something long, and with the footnotes – that book is frickin’ huge.

[Photo: Courtesy of Kirby Kim]

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

Jonathan Kim used to be a hand model for Sharper Image, but since then, he has put his hands to other uses such as writing movie reviews for various media outlets. Aside from being a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, Jonathan also maintains ReThink Reviews, a movie review show that focuses on the political aspects of current/past films and how they relate to current events.

What do you do?

I write/produce movie reviews for the Huffington Post, the Uprising radio show on the Pacifica Radio Network, and What the Flick. I also review movies and provide political commentary for The Young Turks online political talk show as well as my new movie review/current events show, ReThink Reviews.

When and how did you begin your career as a film critic?

I first started reviewing movies for my junior high newspaper in a suburb of the Berkeley/Oakland area, which actually got me in some trouble when parents saw that I had recommended the R-rated Tom Cruise film Born On the Fourth of July. I continued writing movie reviews in high school, then forgot about it for a while as I became more interested in making films in college and afterwards. Later, I was working at a non-profit in Los Angeles making short political videos about Fox News when they started an online show called Meet the Bloggers (like Meet the Press but for progressive bloggers). The host of the show was Cenk Uygur, the host of The Young Turks, the world’s biggest online talk show. I started doing video reviews on MTB and Cenk was a fan of them. When MTB ended, I asked Cenk if I could continue doing reviews on The Young Turks twice a month. When I got laid off from my job at the non-profit, I asked Cenk if I could review films on his show once a week, and he said okay. The non-profit had set up a Huffington Post account for me while I was there, and after I got laid off, I realized I still had access to it, so I started posting my reviews there as well, which really helped my visibility. Since I was out of work, I decided that I would try being a film critic full-time and started calling studios and PR firms to get into screenings and get DVDs to review. From there, it’s been a combination of luck, hustle and perseverance, but with the start of my own show, I feel like it’s paid off.

Your reviews specifically discuss movies and the political issues raised by them. Why is it important to examine the political angles?

I think films can be a great educational tool and a unique way to have people learn about a subject or experience the life of another person. I think both those things are inherently political. When you can empathize with people who are very different from you, it often changes your political opinions. Film deserves more respect for its ability to change minds through stories that hit you on an emotional level.

What’s your process when reviewing a movie?

Usually I watch it with my notepad out, though I generally don’t take many notes unless I want to remember a certain bit of dialogue or an interesting concept. When I’m watching a documentary at home and there are lots of interesting facts, I take a lot more notes and will pause the movie more often. The part that often takes the most time is writing the review, and I’ve found I can never predict how that process will go. I often think writing a review for a certain movie will be easy, but that rarely ends up being the case. I shoot the reviews in front of a green screen I made out of a big IKEA box and a crude teleprompter setup I created myself. My camera is actually just a standard definition miniDV camera that is over 12 years old, though I’m able to output the videos to YouTube in an HD format using Final Cut Pro, and no one seems to know the difference. Editing the video review usually takes a few hours.

What are your thoughts on Hollywood remakes of Korean films? (Spike Lee is slated to direct the remake of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy.)

Watch Jonathan’s review of The China Syndrome:

- ReThink Reviews
http://rethinkreviews.net/
- ReThink Reviews’ YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/RethinkReviews
- Jonathan’s YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/jsjkim
Follow Jonathan on Twitter

Melissah Yang contributed to this post.

[Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Kim]

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

Carol Han is the founding partner of CA Creative, an editorial and social media consulting company that advises fashion and lifestyle brands on their online content. She’s also the stylish foodie blogger of Milk & Mode – the perfectly delicious blend of food and fashion. Carol took some time out of her jam-packed schedule to talk to Korean Beacon about her successful career, and how she manages it all.

Briefly (I know it’s a loaded question), what was it like growing up in Hawaii as a Korean American? Were you raised in a strict Korean household?

Growing up in Hawaii as a Korean American was pretty idyllic. As I’m sure you know, there’s a huge Asian American community in Hawaii, so there’s a lot of appreciation for Asian cultures there. My household wasn’t overly strict. My parents definitely had their standards of what they expected from me, but it was no Tiger Mom situation.

Carol, you’re an amazing role model for young, independent women. How do you juggle having a successful career, maintaining a social life with little downtime, and whipping up delicious meals at home?

I’ve always been a person who needs to have a lot going on at once so that I don’t get bored. I think my parents probably trained me to multitask at an early age–by the time I was five, I was enrolled in tap, jazz, ballet, piano, and gymnastics, and I stuck with all of it through high school. I have the most admiration for people who refuse to be pigeonholed into doing one thing and one thing only–Woody Allen, for example, is an Academy-award-winning director, an actor, and he plays in a jazz band every week! Gwyneth Paltrow–actress, singer, cookbook author, blogger, mother and wife. It’s really incredible when you see people doing so many things well, and that’s always been a goal of mine. I want to live a really interesting, full, and diverse life, and I don’t think you can do that if you’re not willing to dive in and get involved.

Speaking of your successful career, what are your daily activities at CA Creative as a founding partner?

My daily activities at CA Creative vary a lot. We have a great team right now, that I have the privilege of overseeing as we work on creating content and social media strategies for various clients. From day to day, I can be found doing any number of things: writing copy, developing social media strategy, test-driving new social media tools for clients, having new client meetings, consulting on editorial calendars, curating groups of bloggers and influencers for clients, etc. It changes all the time, which is something that I really love about working in the digital space. There’s something new and exciting to learn about every day! Plus, I get to work with some pretty amazing clients–always a plus.

I know you were quite involved in the fashion industry. As a Korean American female in the industry, did you feel to be at a disadvantage at all?

The fashion industry is one that doesn’t discriminate–there are so many inspiring, powerful women working in the industry, and a lot of Asian Americans as well. So no, I never felt at a disadvantage.

And just to circle back to food, do you like Korean food? If yes, do you cook any Korean or Korean-inspired dishes at home?

I love Korean food! My mom’s cooking is the best, I was really lucky to have grown up with her food on the table. I’m not great at making it myself quite yet, but that’s something that I definitely want to work on. I’d love to be able to make a perfect bibimbap soon.

Milk & Mode
http://www.milkandmode.com/
CA Creative
http://www.cacreativeonline.com/
Follow Carol on Twitter.

[Photos: Mark Iantosca]

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

When not busy at her day job co-running a design studio and an e-commerce site, graphic designer Esther Mun moonlights as a master creator of customized cake toppers with her side endeavor, Lil’ Cake Toppers.  With her impeccable attention to detail, every Esther-made cake topper is full of quirks and will add a personal touch to any occasion: weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, dohl parties, etc.

When and how did you start your side business, Lil’ Cake Toppers?

I discovered blank wooden toppers at a fair while selling our own product line, Start Here notebooks. They were already decorated with generic designs and it was too expensive for my taste. The first thing that came to my mind were the traditional Korean wedding outfits my parents wore in 1977 and how cool it would be to customize them with all the details. After painting a few toppers for friends as wedding gifts, I started to do more themed weddings like Hawaiian, Indian, and traditional Korean for friends and family. I saw them as one big family of toppers and more requests from acquaintances encouraged me to build a simple site to showcase them. But it ended up turning it into a place where you can order your own customized toppers!

What’s the most interesting order you’ve received so far?

One that I am working on right now for an October wedding, a Bavarian leiderhosen groom and Ukrainian bride! It’s gonna be HOTTT. Definitely going to be featured on the site as soon as I’m done!

Which topper has been the hardest to make?

I think I’m going to hit challenging ones for September and October where the grooms are completely bald. The shape of ears are depicted with the positive space of the hair. I need to figure out another way to make to ears visible with a thin line or something.

Aside from Lil’ Cake Toppers, you also co-run a design studio, Little Fury, and an e-commerce site called Start Here Mart with your business partner, Tina. We’re curious to find out what an average work day looks like for you.

Always start with a good cup of coffee and hearty breakfast. Every Monday, Tina and I go over our rough game plan for the week. Each week, obviously, the day is different.  I usually hit up studio paper work, bills and crap in the morning, and then start jamming on Little Fury projects. Take care of Start Here Mart inventory stuff when I need some time to stretch or be off the monitor. We like to take longer nice lunch breaks, food is one of the the most important time/elements in our work day!

Where do you find your design inspiration? And how would you describe your design aesthetic?

Usually researching online, and in books and magazines. This is what you land on when you log on either Little Fury or the Start Here Mart site, and it sums up our design aesthetic well: “Clean, Simple, Functional marks the fury way of design. We may be little but the impressions we create are big. Whether it’s our designs, collections, or product line, in the house of fury, pretty things are always made simple.”

Are there any other projects you have in the works?

As for Little Fury, we just launched a few new projects that we’ve been working on. Connecting Nurses, and Little Rock Film Festival which we really enjoyed working on. On a personal level, I always have other projects going on. I’m currently working on a make-up artist friend’s website and a necklace made out of pistachio nut shells. HAHAHA

Check out Esther’s growing empire:
- Lil’ Cake Toppers
http://www.lilcaketoppers.com
- Start Here Mart
http://startheremart.com (5% of your purchase goes to Helping Haiti and Opportunity Int’l)
- Little Fury
http://littlefury.com

KAs@Work is a new series that profiles Korean Americans and their jobs. Want to share what you do, or know of people with interesting jobs? Get in touch.

Just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Koreatown, L.A., is M Grill, a classy restaurant with a “Hollywood” feel. With endless bowls of cheese bread and protein-packing gauchos serving tables around us, we tried to keep the drool in our mouths while we interviewed Manny Kim, the owner of this Brazilian BBQ paradise.

What do you do?

I own an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse. I do all the buying for the restaurant. 3-4 times a week I go to the food purveyors and I buy whatever needs to be bought with the exception of meat, which is delivered. I come to the restaurant and then I  figure the previous day’s finances and then I’m usually on the floor, and at nighttime I go home. I’ve got three kids so I’m heavily involved in their activities.

As a Korean American, what motivated you to open up a Brazilian restaurant?

I was born in Korea but grew up in Brazil. I went to Brazil when I was 1, so my whole youth I grew up in Brazil and I came to the U.S. when I was 20. I was in the garment industry before and I used to manufacture textile and did that close to 10 years. I got sick and tired of the industry. I like to cook and I have a partner here named Marcello who was looking to open a restaurant for a while. So I got together with him and we talked and went through different concepts on what we wanted to do. We were originally going to do a skewer a la carte menu but everyone who came in had a misconception about Brazilian restaurant being an all-you-can-eat, especially the Koreans. So after a year we saw the value of what a ‘one price all you can eat’ could be and we decided to change.

Were there any hardships while starting up M Grill?

It’s all hard work. Why do Koreans succeed in a different economy or different country? It’s because it takes a lot of hard work and perseverance. You can’t expect to not work hard and have money come out. For me I think the key is hard work.

Which dish are you most proud of?

Picanha, its a part of the top sirloin. Very popular in Brazil but not well known here at all. So we introduced that type of meat, and everyone loves it because its a very lean cut of beef but very soft.

Can you cook Korean food?

Yes! The funny thing is, my mom is a very good cook, and for me it came very naturally. Although I never had technical training, when it comes to flavor profile and ingredients I’m very natural at it.

What is your favorite Korean dish?

Oh there’s so many! I have to have Korean food at least two to three times a week. My mom’s kimchi jjigae and doenjang jjigae are the bomb!

Do you have any advice for restauranters/chefs wanting to open their own restaurant?

Work your a** off! That’s it. There’s no easy formula. I came here for college and my dad used to make me work in dye house plant and the virtue of that is for  you to know your business inside out. If you don’t know your business inside out, how can you delegate? How can you say ‘hey, you do better’ without you knowing how to systematically make it better.

Do you have plans on expanding in the future?

It’s funny because I’ve always wanted to expand, but my wife doesn’t want me to—she wants me home. We always talk about opening up in Orange County where I live, and we’ve been looking for that possibility.

M Grill – Brazilian Churrascaria
3832 Wilshire Blvd
Ste 202
Los Angeles, CA 90010
http://m-grill.com/

[Photo of Manny Kim + last photo: Audrey Yun-Suong; Meat (2nd photo): M Grill's Facebook]