A special screening of the Korean film Operation Chromite, hosted by CJ Entertainment, the Korean Cultural Center, and the American Legion Hollywood, was held on August 4th before its American box office release. People poured into the Hollywood American Legion Post 43, including many veterans who had served in the Korean war and their companions. Though the Korean War is quite memorable for the Korean people, it is often called the Forgotten War by Americans, as many veterans who served are unrecognized for their part in defending the South Korea that exists today. The night served as an opportunity to remember and commemorate their sacrifices.

Walking into the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, one is immediately met with crowds of people, waiting in line for tickets with palpable excitement. This year, KCON LA saw over 76,000 attendees - the largest turnout since KCON’s beginnings five years ago. All fans of Hallyu - the Korean wave of traditional and pop-culture - could enjoy different pop-up shops at the exhibition hall, which included everything from Korean beauty products, to cafes where customers could be whisked away in a fantasy straight out of a Korean drama as they are served coffee and tea by beautiful flower boys. KCON goers eagerly received makeovers to look just like their favourite K-pop stars, while next door there was a dance floor where everyone could show off the choreography of famous Kpop songs. At the same time, Youtube stars such as LeenaDproductions, JREKML, and Clothesencounters conducted meetups with fans. The entire hall buzzed with energy. Outside of the hall, fans with premium tickets lined up to high-five famous K-pop singers; the smiles of their favourite idol groups provided them with the energy to beat the LA summer heat.

Clean Comedy: Henry Cho’s Break from the Norm

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Henry Cho began his career in stand-up comedy in 1986, dropping out of college in order to pursue his passion. In 1989, he moved to Los Angeles but made sure to keep in touch with his Tennessee roots, especially in his stand-up shows. As a practicing Christian, Cho values and performs clean, adult comedy, avoiding racial jokes that may create a negative influence on how the ethnicity is viewed. Cho has appeared on such television programs as Bob Hope’s Young Comedian Special, MTV’s ½ Hour Comedy Hour, and VH-1’s Stand-Up Spotlight. He has also been featured in films like McHale’s Navy, Say It Isn’t So and Material Girls. Eventually, Cho had his own Comedy Central special in 2006 called Henry Cho: What’s That Clickin’ Noise?.In 2011, he had his own show on Great American Country [GAC] called The Henry Cho Show, which was filmed in Nashville, Tennessee. Cho has been given the nickname “Mr. Clean” for his clean comedy, a distinction that sets him apart from other comedians. Seoul Journal spoke with Cho about his experiences as a comedian and what plans he has for the future.

An endless cycle of practicing, networking, traveling, and concertizing.

Not many classical musicians can debut at the age of 13 with an orchestra of the likes of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Following Yoonie Han’s 2001 grand-prize award in the Korea National Music Competition, the Korean Ministry of Culture named her its “most promising young artist.” In 2009, Han was honored with the Gawon Music Award as the “most brilliant pianist aged 17 to 31 of any nationality who possesses the most promising potential for global prominence,” and placed first in a multitude of competitions such as: the Washington International Piano Competition, the World Piano Competition, the Fulbright Concerto Competition, Juilliard’s Gina Bachauer Piano Competition, the Kosciuszko Chopin Competition, and Music Teacher’s National Association Competition. Han has performed around the world with the Berliner Symphoniker, Buffalo Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, Banff Festival Orchestra, and I Pomeriggi Musicali di Milan. She has performed in globally renowned venues such as the Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Berlin Philharmonic. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, Han went on to earn her Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School and, in addition to currently completing her doctorate at State University of New York (SUNY) Stony Brook, she is also on the faculty of Piano at the Bilkent University, Turkey. Han, also a Steinway Concert & Recording Artist, has also enjoyed special sponsorships from the Paris-based international retailer of fine furniture Roche Bobois, Switzerland’s leading maker of luxury timepieces Breguet, and the Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, which has supplied gowns for her concerts. Seoul Journal's Executive Editor Anthony Al-Jamie spoke with the successful pianist about her roles as an artist and a teacher, her current projects, and her goals for the future.