It’s back! Our friends at Kollaboration NY are putting together their 7th show on September 21 at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

This year, the 7 finalists—Izzy Salinel, Justin Kim, The Mooks, Bea Go, John Quiwa, UFP, John-Flor Sisante—will compete for a chance to win one grand and open up for David Choi & Clara C‘s NYC concert at the Highline Ballroom on November 2. The lucky winner will also get an opportunity to perform at the Kollaboration Global Show and be flown to Japan for the 2012 MNET Asian Music Awards.

Hosted by the very funny Jen Kwok, (comedian, writer, musician, and Kollaboration NY alum!), and featuring guest performers Gabe Bondoc, Mitchell Grey, and last year’s Kollab NY champions, Wanted Ashiqz, this year’s show will feature top-notch performers and talented undiscovered acts. So don’t miss out!

Ticket info:
- General Admission: $20
- VIP: $40 (Preferred seating, Express VIP entrance to Show, Express VIP entrance to After Party, Meet & greet with guest performers and finalists)
Buy tickets online at http://www.kollaborationnewyork.org/tickets/

Location:
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU
566 LaGuardia Pl (between 3rd St & S Washington Sq)
New York, NY 10012
http://nyuskirball.org/

For more details, go to: http://www.kollaborationnewyork.org

Here a video of the lucky seven singing a feel-good mashup of Cher Lloyd and The Jackson 5 – “Want You Back”:

[Photo: Kollaboration NY - Illustration by Jaeil Cho]

If you’re down for a night of good vibes and a bunch of laughs, don’t forget to buy your tickets to the inaugural Koreatown Comedy Festival.

Koreatown Comedy Festival will be hosted by Paul “PK” Kim, host of Mnet’s Beats Per Mnet and founder of Kollaboration, and rapper Dumbfoundead. The lineup is packed with well-known comedians such as Amy Anderson, Danny Cho, David So, and PK and Dumbfoundead themselves (full list above)!

The show starts at 7:30 pm on the evening of Thursday, January 12th at CGV Cinemas in Los Angeles. Buy your tickets at a presale price of $11 here.

For more information check out the event’s Facebook page. All proceeds will be donated to LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) and Kollaboration.

Here’s a snippet from PK’s past show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood to tickle your funnybone:

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.

Fresh isn’t his middle name, but it is his last! Mikey Fresh (a.k.a Michael J. Yi), a connoisseur of hip-hop culture, takes time from his hectic schedule to talk to us about his hard work ethic and passion for everything hip-hip.

What do you do? And how did you get your nickname, “Mikey Fresh”?

I’m a full time music journalist. Currently, I work as the online music editor for VIBE Magazine (VIBE.com). I also hold a position as producer/content manager for Miss Info‘s blog MissInfo.TV. Believe it or not, I got my nickname from a college friend. I was like a walking billboard for a Jay-Z music video back then. Oh Lord.

When and how did you get interested in hip-hop?

I got really interested in hip-hop when I was in the 5th grade. Music videos on MTV and skateboard videos from the mid to late 90s were a big influence on me. It just felt right to me, when a lot of other things didn’t.

Mikey (white shirt) with Miss Info, Illmind, Tiger JK, Tasha, and Roscoe Umali

You work with Miss Info, who was recently ranked as a Media Power Bachelorette. How is it working with one of the most influential women in the hip-hop industry?

Honestly, I just feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Info. I started interning for her about 3 years ago, and in that time I’ve learned so much about the music industry and been privy to so much invaluable advice I don’t think I’ll ever be able to pay her back. But it’s been both an incredible challenge and priceless experience filled with incredible memories already.

Through all of your well-written pieces pertaining to hip hop and rap, it is evident you clearly have a lot of heart for the game. Besides writing, do you do anything else with the genre? (i.e. write lyrics, produce, etc.)

I’m not involved in creating music but I would definitely like to give a shot at A&R-ing, writing television/movies and different aspects of entertainment. But right now aside from just writing; producing (web video), photography and videography are things I dabble in thanks to the blogworld.

You’ve interviewed many high-profile artists in the past like DMX, Drake and Nelly, among others. Who has been the most memorable interviewee?

I would say DMX and that was pretty recent actually. He was still in jail at the time and really had a lot to get off his chest. You could hear the pain and struggle inside him. Almost like there was 2 men: Earl and DMX.

Check out Mikey’s interview with DMX here.

Tyler, the Creator recently won the VMA for ‘Best New Artist’ with his darker style of rapping, superstars Kanye West and Jay-Z put out a well-received album sampling older music, and Lil’ Wayne clearly is still at the top of his game selling more than one million copies of his newest album in one week. Where do you see rap going with all these different unique styles of rap battling it out for the top spot?

Well in terms of sales, music charts and in in terms of units sold, it’ll remain in a similar state as it is in now. Artists like Kanye and Wayne will be able to sell millions and the rest will be happy to push a few hundred thousand. But really I think sales are meaning less and less a main factor when you want gauge a rapper’s talent and value. The top spot is open to anyone from the veteran to the rookie these days. All you need is good music and the ability to perform. And if you can’t put on a live show people want to see, music will always be just a “passion” for you.

Currently, Korean presence in the mainstream American hip-hop and rap scene is virtually non-existent. What aspects of hip hop and rap popular in Korea do you believe hinder a smooth transition to the American audience? Do you see any Korean Americans breaking out in the near future?

If you are talking about artists from Korea like Se7en and the Wonder Girls, who have attempted to crossover, it still feels like a language issue and an issue of authenticity. I hope I don’t sound too harsh, but to my ears none of the groups who tried to make it here sounded “American” enough. American people want to hear American music that sounds 100% American. I definitely think Korean artists are talented enough but they just need to be a bit more assimilated with American culture. I sound crazy but drop the Wonder Girls off at the Jersey Shore house for a summer and then they’ll be ready to take over America. Asian Americans are all over behind the scenes and even in front of the camera just below the mainstream in hip-hop right now, so it’s just a matter of time. Far East Movement having huge mainstream hits with “Girls On The Dance Floor” and “Like A G6” is great look for Asian-Americans in hip-hop and will help continue to kick in the door for more to follow.

Mikey Fresh interviewing Drake

Finally, besides hard work, what steps did you take to get to where you are today? And any advice for those interested in going into journalism and/or the music industry?

You really have to be proactive and willing to do what the “normal” intern isn’t. Don’t be normal, be the kid your superiors want to talk about… in a good way. I worked for free for years before making any real money. As an intern at The Source I was willing to interview anyone and take on as many tasks as possible. I’d take buses into Jersey and hit 3 boroughs in 1 day to get the job done. I think I knew early on that it would take years and something extra to establish myself in the music industry so I was willing to start from the very bottom. You might have a 9-5 internship but honestly this is a career path that doesn’t ever let up. There are opportunities everywhere especially in New York but if you don’t put in the extra effort to pursue them the next kid will. You should know from the jump the music industry is 90% smoke and mirrors but from my personal experience thus far, the successful people in this business embody hard work, integrity and relentless drive.

Follow Mikey Fresh on Twitter and make sure to check out VIBE and Miss Info for the his latest updates on the hip-hop world.

Also, if you’re headed to see Kollaboration NY 6 next Thursday (Sept. 29), don’t be surprised to see Mikey, as he will be one of the judges this year!

[Photos: Mikey Fresh's Facebook]

In a weekly series of posts, we will present the Top 5 Most Korean-American cities, selected not only for their numbers, but also for their visibility in mainstream America. Our research was guided by the following criteria: population, famous and/or influential locals, programs, and hotspots.

#1 Los Angeles, CA

We’ve finally reached the end of our countdown, and Los Angeles is our #1 Most Korean-American city! After immigrating and settling in the city with dreams of a new life, many Koreans found themselves suddenly displaced after the 1992 L.A. Riots (Sa-i-Gu) took its toll on businesses and homes in L.A.’s Koreatown. But since then, K-town has progressively grown into a vibrant neighborhood that combines cultural traditions with new and modern attitudes. While this may be one of those Captain Obvious moments, let us prove it to you by sharing the countless reasons why the City of Angels tops our list.

Numbers

• 324,586 – Los Angeles metro area (population data compiled using the 2010 Census)

Visibility

Dr. Sammy Lee (left) and Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy (right)

• Los Angeles is home to three Korean American pioneers: Dr. Samuel “Sammy” Lee, Susan Ahn Cuddy and K.W. Lee.
  • A doctor and two-time Olympic gold medalist in the past, Dr. Samuel “Sammy” Lee, the first Asian American to represent the US and win an Olympic gold medal in diving, is an inspiration to anyone with an ambitious dream. Last summer, a square in Koreatown was named after the diving hero.
  • Not only is Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy the daughter of the first Korean married couple to immigrate to the U.S. in 1902, but she is also the first female gunnery officer appointed to the U.S. Navy; making her an important figure in Korean American history.
  • K.W. Lee, known as the “godfather of Asian American journalism,” is the founder of The Korea Times English Edition and still continues to serve on the editorial board of Color Lines Magazine. The award-winning journalist-activist also has a center inspired by his lifetime of service called the K.W. Lee Center for Leadership—a non-profit organization teaching youth how to become future leaders.

  
  Phil Yu (left) and Paul “PK” Kim (right)

• Phil Yu, the blogger behind Angry Asian Man, recently celebrated his 10th anniversary of being one of the most influential voices in our community. Through his posts, Phil has centralized Asian America by facilitating ongoing discussions about racism, activism and mainstream media’s (mis)representations of Asian Americans. This weekend, Phil will be judging Kollaboration SF 2 along with singer-songwriter Clara C.
• Paul “PK” Kim is a multi-talented leader who not only created Kollaboration, the largest Asian American talent show in the world, but co-founded LiNK, a non-profit organization raising awareness to the pressing issues of North Korean refugees. PK is now the co-host and producer of MNET’s BPM: Beats Per Mnet, a daily series covering the latest and greatest in Asian pop culture. You can watch clips from the series here.
• Ever since “coming out” as an undocumented immigrant, 21-year-old UCLA student David Cho is one of the handful of Asian American students putting a “human face” on the DREAM Act issue. Having recently won the Freedom From Fear Award, David founded ASPIRE (Asian Students Promoting Immigration Rights through Education) to unify undocumented Asian American students on and off campus. He’s also the 1st Korean American drum major of the UCLA marching band!

Programs

Kimchi Chronicles’ Marja Vongerichten visited KYCC this past July.

• Established in 1975, the Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC) offers programs and services specifically aimed towards immigrated and economically disadvantaged children, youths, and their families. Some of KYCC’s programs include clinical services, tree planting, and business education.
• Through education, leadership development, and community organizing, the Korean American Coalition Los Angeles (KACLA) seeks to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community in L.A. Last month, we covered KACLA’s 3^rd annual KBBQ Cook-Off, which brought out all of the top KBBQ restaurants in K-town for all of the foodies’ delight.

• Founded in the wake of California’s Proposition 8, Koreans United for Equality (KUE) unites straight and LGBTIQ Koreans in order facilitate a larger acceptance within the Korean community.
• The Southern California Korean College Student Association (scKcSA) is the oldest and largest non-partisan, non-profit Korean American student organization in the US, connecting college students from eleven campuses in Southern California. scKcSA promotes a sense of Korean American heritage among students by serving the community and building a strong social network.
• The KHEIR Center was initially founded in 1985 to provide quality healthcare for low-income, non-English speaking Korean immigrants. KHEIR now operates the only full-time community clinic in the country with Korean, Spanish, and English language capabilities and services 30,000 patient visits per year.

Hotspots

• Roy Choi’s Kogi Truck was the food truck that started it all, and while many try to compete with it, nothing beats the original. Initially parking alongside curbs all over L.A., Kogi Truck now has expanded, making trips to cities in the Valley and in Orange County.
• Cafe Mak is a great café to study for exams, finish up some work from the office, or catch up with your friends. The venue is spacious yet intimate with a peaceful ambience and offers free parking (gasp!) after 8pm.
• Always the spot for running into people you know, Chapman Plaza boasts several sooljibs (Korean bars) and restaurants, a hookah lounge, and NRB. In the plaza, Gaam is one of the more popular sooljibs in K-town with its contemporary décor and vaulted ceilings.

• Belasco is the new “it” club among today’s young Korean Americans in L.A. on Saturday nights. Hosted by Korean promo companies, Belasco’s events are notorious for keeping the party alive and well into the night. Make sure to get there early because lines have gone around the corner before. Other notable club spots are Le Circle and VR.
• As a 21+ NRB, Bobos Karaoke is always a fun place to sing and drink the night away. Bobos offers rooms of many different sizes to accommodate groups of any size. With flat screens in the front and back of each room, you’ll feel a rock star performing for your friends while they sing along as your groupies.
• With all of the KBBQ choices in L.A., we couldn’t narrow it down! Check out our list of L.A.’s Top 5 All-You-Can-Eat KBBQ spots to get your meat fix.

Locals

• L.A. is home to Hollywood so we have to acknowledge the many Korean American actors and actresses who are eliminating stereotypes within the entertainment industry. Comedian Amy Anderson’s daughter Aubrey Anderson-Emmons will soon play the adopted Lily on ABC’s Modern Family while Jenna Ushkowitz sings her heart out on Glee. John Cho is coming out with the new Harold and Kumar movie this winter, and Sung Kang will star in Sylvester Stallone’s new action flick Bullet to the Head. Also be on the lookout for the Ktown Cowboys who are set to start filming their movie version of the wildly popular webisode series.
• On the flip side, KAs are also making a name for themselves behind the camera. UCLA grad Grace Lee wrote and directed The Grace Lee Project, a documentary that tries to breaks down the “Grace Lee” stereotype (i.e. “reserved, dutiful, piano-playing overachiever”). Her new film on Detroit activist Grace Lee Boggs, American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs, is currently in post-production. Previously based in L.A., Michael Kang has directed the Korean American feature West 32nd, which starred John Cho, Grace Park and Jeong Jun Ho. His new film, Knots, is scheduled to release sometime this year. Other filmmakers include Chil Kong and Dennis Lee.

Dumbfoundead and Priscilla Ahn

• As for musicians: Priscilla Ahn‘s musical career blossomed after she touched base in L.A. to follow her music career dream. Her latest album, When You Grow Up, encompasses her growth and journey as an artist in every song. K-town’s new pride, Dumbfoundead (Jonathan Park), recently caught the attention of the L.A. Times with his track “Are We There Yet.” Singer-songwriter and YouTube extraordinaire David Choi, Linkin Park’s Joe Hahn, and Korea’s “National Fairy,” Lena Park, also call L.A home.
• Known for his “dirty style,” David Choe is a K-town originated artist whose work can be distinguished by its raw, graphic and abd layered qualities. Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe, an art documentary based on David’s work, was recently released on DVD.
• Other locals include: Quest Crew‘s Victor Kim and Lydia Paek, Angry Little Girls‘ Lela Lee, AMN Radio‘s Sung Lee, Christina Lee and Eddie Kim, and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)’s amazing Chief Deputy, Emile Mack.

This concludes our countdown of the Top 5 Most Korean-American Cities!

Melissah Yang and Eunice Roh contributed to this post.

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]

Most 15-year-olds are simply trying to find their way around the complications of teenage life. But for YouTube Superstar Megan Lee, life seems to be full of joy and music. Her down-to-earth attitude and passion to touch others through her music and acting is definitely infectious. Korean Beacon was lucky enough to snag an interview with the “cutiepie” a.k.a “Happy Virus,” and talk about her experiences and upcoming projects.

KB: You were on MBC’s Star Audition earlier this year, how was that experience for you?

MEGAN LEE: It was definitely a great experience for me. I went to Korea for the first time ever in my life so there was big culture shock. At the same time it was great because I got to learn more about my country and it opened my eyes to Korean music. I’ve always loved Korean music since way before, but it opened my ears and eyes and I got to learn more about it.

KB: How do you think being on Star Audition changed you? Did it help you grow?

MEGAN LEE: Oh definitely. It helped me grow mentally as an artist, and I got to learn how to speak Korean better because I was really bad. It was so much fun, and I enjoyed every second of it!

KB: Who is your favorite Korean musician / band?

MEGAN LEE: Ah, it’s so hard because I have so many right now. I love 2ne1! I actually really like the whole YG community. I also like CNBlue, Big Bang and SNSD.

KB: I know you do a lot of covers of popular songs. So far, which has been your favorite song to cover?

MEGAN LEE: I have some YouTube covers in Korean, but it’s hard to pick just one. I guess if I were to go to a Korean noraebang (karaoke), I would probably sing “I Have a Lover” by Lee Eun Mi. It’s actually one of the first songs I learned in Korean. It was my mom’s favorite song and I heard her sing it all the time, and so naturally I just learned it.

Watch Megan’s cover of Lee Eun Mi’s “I Have a Lover”:

KB: What do you prefer: singing or acting?

MEGAN LEE: I’m not really sure because I’ve been acting longer than I was singing. It’s hard to choose one because I use both for the same purpose. I want to become an entertainer to inspire and change lives in a positive way. I want to be a role model for someone else to look up to. Basically, I just want to bring happiness to the world. I believe I can do the same thing by using acting and singing.

KB: Are your parents supportive of what you do?

MEGAN LEE: Definitely. I feel very blessed because Asian parents in general are usually not supportive of their children’s dreams. They tell them “Become a doctor! Become a lawyer.” But I’m blessed that they’re different and I get to follow my dreams.

KB: What has been your biggest challenge?

MEGAN LEE: To be honest, I think just being Asian. I’ve had a lot of obstacles to overcome especially during acting. Whenever I go to auditions, I go to the final stage in front of the producers and directors and I’m always the only Asian girl. They always choose whoever fits the role ethnicity-wise and somehow the Caucasian or Hispanic girl always gets it. If I book a role, I usually get the nerdy girl or the quirky girl with pigtails; they’re very stereotypical. It’s getting better though. There are a lot of Asian Americans on TV. For music, there’s not that many, but we’re still growing.

KB: Do you attend Asian American events like Kollaboration?

MEGAN LEE: Well I did Kollaboration Acoustic 3 when I was 13. I think Kollaboration was what made me really want to break into the Asian American community and music because I was more focused on acting at the time. After seeing all these really talented Asian American artists, it inspired me so much and it made me think “I wanna do that too!”

KB: Who has been your biggest inspiration?

MEGAN LEE: Definitely my mom. I wouldn’t be here without her! My dad as well. Without them I wouldn’t stay grounded and they constantly guide me in everything I do.

KB: How do you think being a YouTube star has changed you?

MEGAN LEE: I don’t really think I’m a ‘YouTube star.’ I’m just a regular girl enjoying what I love to do, and I just wanna make people happy and it makes me happy doing what I have a passion for. I have little girls coming up to me saying ‘I wanna become just like you. You inspire me to put up YouTube videos.’ I feel happy because I get to touch people’s hearts and encourage them with whatever I do.

KB: I know you just finished filming your music video for “Live, Laugh & Love,” are you excited about the release? Can you share some details about the new music video?

MEGAN LEE: Super duper excited! The song is basically about touching peoples lives and just to love to laugh and to live because that’s the song name. The music video is of me walking down the street blowing bubbles which signify positive messages. So whenever someone sees the bubble or it touches someone, it changes them in a positive way. In the end I actually hand it to someone very special so that’s going to be a big surprise!

Watch Megan Lee’s teaser for “Live, Laugh & Love” below, and look out for the full music video release on July 1st!

Check out Megan’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/cutiepiemeg918
Follow her on Twitter: @cutiepiemeg918

[Photos: Audrey Yun-Suong]

Two months ago Clara Chung was invited out to a White House sanctioned event at the U.S. Department of Education. While at the event Clara had the opportunity to shoot a PSA video and participate in the TEACH campaign. Along with Clara, many other celebrities and other government officials will be participating in this campaign. This PSA video will be released nationwide in the upcoming months in an effort to help promote the young rising working generation about become teachers. Clara might seem familiar to you: she won Kollaboration LA a few months ago. Since then, she’s produced some great songs. Check out Clara’s PSA below.

Three uniquely talented Korean-American musicians are collaborating for what appears to be for the fun of it.  Jay Park, free-style rapper Dumbfounded, and Clara Chung have gotten together to create a new track that’s to be released on April 23rd.  It’ll be interesting because all three are vastly different in their styles and I’m excited to see how their talents will mash up.  Check it out on April 23rd!

If you haven’t seen Clara Chung, then take a glimpse because you’ll really like her. She was the winner of this year’s Kollaboration in Los Angeles.

Source: AllKpop

Kollaboration 10 is finally here and it takes the big stage and I mean really big stage with the event being held at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles, and that includes a red carpet entrance.  PK and Roy have taken this little love child of an event to something bigger than they could’ve dreamt.   If you’re in LA, check out Kollaboration and meet the next new big Asian-American stars.

When Kollaboration first started in 2000, some people said it was just a little show that would never last. Fast Fwd: 11 years later… soon to be 10 cities, 31 shows, tens of thousands of attendees, and MILLIONS of online viewers later… Kollaboration 10 has ARRIVED! Join us Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ the SHRINE Auditorium as Kollaboration Los Angeles presents the BIGGEST Asian talent show in American history to date!

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Time: 7PM (Doors open at 6PM)
Venue: Shrine Auditorium
665 W Jefferson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007-3626

~6,300 SEATS ~ PERFORMERS COMPETING FOR CASH PRIZES~
CASH PRIZES for Freestyle Dance & Freestyle Vocal Competition!!

LIMITED DISCOUNTED TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: http://www.kollaboration.org/Tickets/Los-Angeles/Kollaboration-10-Tickets.html

Special Guest Performers:
Rex Navarrete – Comedian
Tony Rock – Comedian
We are Heroes
Prepix – Dance group from Korea
Pigeon John – Rapper
Vudoo Soul – Singer
Just Kidding Films – Guest Appearance
Korean Union Dancerz – Hip Hop Dance Group
Anbu Black Ops – Dance Group

Competitors:
Jason Yang
Clara
Paul Jisung Kim
Sam Hart
Mike Isberto & Alfa
Will Volume
Bhangra Empire

Guest Judges:
Kev Jumba – Youtube Comedian
Joseph Kahn – Director
Rex Lee – Actor, HBO’s Entourage
Lisa Ling – Journalist
Michelle Phan – Youtube Beauty Guru
Nita Song – President IW Group
Patty Yoon – CEO Garco Enterprise

NOTE:
“One of the biggest knocks on Asian Americans is that we don’t support each other in the entertainment industry. We harshly judge our own entertainers for either being too white, too black, and if you can believe it, too Asian. Kollaboration is a platform where young Asian Americans can perform in front of a live crowd. This show will open the minds of those who don’t give Asian Americans a chance when it comes to expressing themselves creatively. And hopefully, through it, we can witness a new type of Asian American artform we can claim as our own.”

Check out our interview with PK as he speaks about Kollaboration.

Kollaboration Acoustic 3 was a great success this past weekend. It’s been almost 2 months since Kollaboration New York at the NYU Skirball Center. We wanted to share a recap reel we put together on the event and the performers. Very talented and even more inspiring. Enjoy!