Rituals and Traditions | K-Pod | Ep. 34

03/20/24 • 67 min

Continuing their special series on cultural topics, Catherine and Juliana discuss the ways Korean Americans are observing age-old traditions like Paebek (wedding tea ceremony), Dol (first birthday) and Jesa (ancestor veneration). Their first guest is event planner Christine Chang of Live Love Create in Los Angeles, who explains how her wedding and Dol clients are honoring their heritage in a “fusion” style that feels relevant to them. (Think: a shorter, more inclusive Paebek or a golf ball included in the doljabi.) Next, they chat with mother-daughter duo Laura Kim and Estella Riahi of Leehwa Wedding & Hanbok, a sought-after hanbok studio where LA’s Korean community have been ordering custom garments since the early 1990s. Catherine and Juliana learn how hanbok styles have evolved and how Leewha has become the go-to source for celebs looking for hanboks for awards season. Finally, the hosts speak with Jennifer Kim, aka Mudang Jenn, a shaman based in New York who explains the tradition of Jesa and how Korean Americans are adapting the ritual for today.

Christine Chang of Live Love Create Events @livelovecreate

Leehwa Wedding & Hanbok @leehwawedding

Mudang Jenn @shaman.mudang

Check out the full video on Youtube, link in bio!

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KoreanAmericanStory.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and preserve the stories of the Korean American experience.

CREDITS

Co-host, Producer, Photographer: Juliana Sohn @juliana_sohn

Co-host, Producer, Editor: Catherine Hong @catherinehong100

Audio Engineer: AJ Valente https://ajyval.myportfolio.com/

Executive Producer: HJ Lee

Production Manager: Kimberly Young Sun @kimberlyyoungsun

Christine Chang of Live Love Create Events @livelovecreate

Leehwa Wedding & Hanbok @leehwawedding

Mudang Jenn @shaman.mudang

Check out the full video on Youtube, link in bio!

__________

KoreanAmericanStory.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and preserve the stories of the Korean American experience.

CREDITS

Co-host, Producer, Photographer: Juliana Sohn @juliana_sohn

Co-host, Producer, Editor: Catherine Hong @catherinehong100

Audio Engineer: AJ Valente https://ajyval.myportfolio.com/

Executive Producer: HJ Lee

Production Manager: Kimberly Young Sun @kimberlyyoungsun

Previous Episode

The Korean Medicine Episode | K-Pod | Ep. 33

While Korean immigrants are notorious for pushing their kids to become doctors, it’s worth remembering that Koreans have cultivated their own age-old approach to wellness for over 5,000 years. Hanbang – aka traditional Korean medicine – encompasses acupuncture, herbs and cupping and has lately attracted a surge of interest among both Korean Americans and Westerners. Continuing our special series on cultural topics, our hosts sit down with two respected practitioners, Dr. Erin Lee and Dr. Robert Lee, to gain an understanding of this often misunderstood field. Juliana (a Korean medicine adherent) and Catherine (a semi-skeptic) get a chance to ask their burning questions, including: How does Korean medicine differ from Chinese medicine? Is there clinical proof of the effectiveness of herbal remedies? How exactly does acupuncture work — and is it the same thing as “dry needling?” Why do Koreans fear sleeping with fans? What is cupping? How can patients find a good acupuncturist? And what’s the deal with the deer antlers anyway?

Next Episode

The Finale | K-Pod | Ep. 35

Say it isn’t so! After five seasons, we are wrapping up our podcast about Korean Americans in arts and culture. For the final episode of K-Pod, co-hosts Catherine Hong and Juliana Sohn look back on the series and recall some favorite moments, from creative director Ji Lee on the value of pursuing personal projects to interior designer Young Huh’s case for beauty in everyday life. They also reveal dream guests they wish they had gotten (Sandra Oh); the one episode Juliana’s son actually listened to (Michelle Zauner); and what’s next for KoreanAmericanStory.org in its mission to heal generational trauma through storytelling. Our deepest thanks to our supporters and everybody who listened to K-Pod. 감사합니다!