On this second episode of CNN’s “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown”, chef/host Anthony Bourdain takes viewers to a locale we all know too well here at Audrey Magazine: Los Angeles’ Koreatown. I was really intrigued to see what Bourdain would cover in his visit to the famed ethnic enclave in just under an hour – and to my surprise, I found it delightful (as it always is to watch Bourdain).

Bourdain begins his interview with Roy Choi (of Kogi, Chego and A-Frame fame) with a brief overview of the 1992 LA Riots (for contextualization and history) and how Korean Americans were a part of that in his perspective. For the Korean spots, Choi took Bourdain to Dong Il Jang (for good ole’ KBBQ), a visit to the Kogi trucks, Chego, and A-Frame (a former Ihop), and Beverly Soon Tofu. Choi also took Bourdain to non-Korean spots like fast-food Filipino chain Jollibee and Swadesh in Little Bangladesh (which is only about two years old).

Bourdain also paid a visit to artist David Choe in his studio, where he received his first painted portrait – and also listened to Choe make some interesting remarks about Korean women. Choe, being the character that he is – took him to a place you wouldn’t expect to be in this episode: Sizzler. However, Choe says that Sizzler plays an important part in the memories of many second generation Korean Americans. In addition, Bourdain also visited Monte Carlo Bar, Myung In Dumplings (to which Choe mentioned the buns looked like “buttholes”), and a special homecooked meal at Choe’s parents home.

For information on this episode and reruns, please visit here.

DEPT The Good Life
ISSUE Fall 2012
AUTHOR Kanara Ty
PHOTOS Interior photo by Mohammad Gorjestani, all other photos by Jennifer Yin.

In recent years, the San Francisco Bay Area’s culinary scene has grown beyond the local-produce-loving-community it has become recognized for. In fact, it is steadfastly becoming the playground for renowned chefs to create some of the region’s most creative and innovative dishes. Of course, this all comes at a hefty price — many folks will find themselves breaking the bank to eat at some of the Bay Area’s most coveted restaurants. While this may be an exciting time for food enthusiasts, the accessibility to such experiences is another matter.

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Happy Friday! We are allowed to cheat and GIVE YOU TWO DAILY SHAG POSTS (click here for the other one). We’re giving you double-dose of Smoking Hot Asian Guy (SHAG) this week with Daniel Henney. Let us the count the ways how much we love this video – click on!

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Top Chef: Seattle winner Kristen Kish.

Congrats to Korean American adoptee Kristen Kish, who has taken top honors on Top Chef: Seattle. The show, hosted by Indian American model Padma Lakshmi, had its finale tonight, and Kristen killed it with her Snapper with Leeks, Little Gem Lettuce, Tarragon, Uni and Shellfish Nage. With her win, she is the second woman to win Top Chef. Yes, she’s gorgeous — she of the swan-like neck, tomboy ‘do and model-like limbs — but what made us love her even more is her determination to discover her roots. “In the very near future, a trip to Korea for me,” she said, teary-eyed.

You may know Korean American actor Tim Jo as the sweet, innocent alien teenager Reggie Jackson on the ABC sitcom The Neighbors, but what happens when you switch out his character’s signature polo shirts and khakis… and dress him up like a Korean pop star?

In the meantime, some Audrey Behind-the-Scenes Extras: Tim Jo’s self-described “incredible” story of how he got to Los Angeles.

Tim Jo as Reggie Jackson in ABC’s The Neighbors.

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Kero One, a Korean-American rapper, producer and DJ from San Francisco, has been gaining more and more praise throughout the years.  He has worked with and been endorsed by artists all over the world from Will.I.am. to Epik High. Now, he has made history. After hearing Kero One’s song  ”What Am I Suppose To Do?”, the legendary Stevie Wonder asked the rapper to perform at his Benefit Concert on Dec 15th, 2012.

Watch this behind-the scenes video documenting Kero One’s experience:

Also, check out his latest music video (“R.I.P.”) that premiered earlier this week:

There’s a whole lot of love behind the success of the clothing line Everly and it’s designers, Adriana Leaw and Fabiana Choi. The Korean American sisters grew up watching their parents nurture and run a clothing line in both Brazil and the U.S., and realized that somewhere deep down in their hearts that they had developed a love in fashion/retail as well.

Their passion for what they do on a daily basis: looking at trend after trend, designing, creating mood boards for the upcoming season is definitely one of the components to why their line is still very much alive, but the main reason is what their hometown Brazil has taught them: love. As Audrey carried on the interview, which felt more like a natural conversation, we discovered that the love and respect they have for each other is really why Everly has worked out so well. Not only that, but the signature image of Everly wouldn’t exist without their amazing aptitude of balance.

As close as they are, they in no doubt believe and know that they have two very different personalities: Adriana, the older sister, is more conservative and Fabiana is more likely to take risks. When asked if they fight over business and designing decisions, they both revealed that they rarely argue. If there does come a time where they see differently on a certain design, they are able to either compromise or trust the other and go with her choice. In fact, their differences in style is a blessing in disguise as their aesthetic tastes catch each other’s extremes. For example, if Adriana pushes a piece to more of the trendy side, Adriana’s preferences in the classic, clean lines look will bring it back to the perfect middle. While during the middle of all of this, we wondered how arguments and disagreements could not be in the picture, and then our question was answered when they began to talk about the place they spent most of their lives in: Brazil.

While we believe Brazil is a place full of exoticism and the beautiful wild, the dynamic duo sees Brazil a place where they saw an ample amount of genuine and sincere love. Claiming that everyone in Brazil is loving, kind, and family oriented love is what they really got out of growing up in Brazil. Another Brazilian characteristic that stayed with them was the vibrant and assorted colors in the country. The various colors of the place is why they believe they are so attracted to bold colors and daring prints.

We have a lot of thanking to do for Brazil’s smart teachings of color and prints to the sisters as we can find a lot of those two out there styles in their line, Everly. Describing the Everly girl as normal but quirky, a risk taker but always polished (can you see their two different personalities?), Audrey magazine is thankful for creating a line that’s young, fresh, and will immediately make us stand out in a crowd full of stylish girls. Adriana and Fabiana take essential and basic styles, like the shift dress (their favorite), and are able to add spunk and a twist to it that makes it Everly. However, at the same time the line manages to keep it still feminine, flirty, and most importantly happy.

Happiness and brightness is what we instantly saw when conversing with them and we see why Everly is the way it is. The love and respect that they have for each other is why their clothes is so perfectly balanced with two different takes in fashion. We hope that when the day is cloudy and gray and/or when the crowd of girls is swallowed in a sea of boring and uneventful trends, the clothes of Everly will help us change all of that.

Courtesy of EverlySo.com

Continue reading for the interview and a sneak peek at their Fall 2012 line!
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What happens when you put three emerging Asian American musicians (from Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles respectively) in a group together? A musical force to be reckoned – Aziatix (Eddie Shin, Jay “Flowsik” Pak, and Nicky Lee) presents themselves as a refreshing entry into the music industry with a unique blend of r&b/soul, pop, and hip-hop. The Korean American trio, Aziatix is quickly gaining more recognition through their EP, “Awakening”, which has made it onto the top of the iTunes charts in the U.S., Japan.

They may all look intimidating as they all exude cool personas, but after a few questions, they’re just your normal, down-to-earth guys who love good music and won’t lose sight of their roots. Click more for our interview with them!

Courtesy of www.aziatix.com

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As a community partner with the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, we’re proud to be co-presenting Michael Kang’s Knots. As a special promotion, we’re giving away two tickets to the screening on Sunday, May 13th at 4pm! To enter, leave a comment by FRIDAY MAY 11 AT NOON PST. Link to the giveaway on Twitter for an extra entry (leave another comment with your Twitter status!). Two entries max per person.

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Take a good listen to “What Am I Supposed to Do?” – the lead single off of Kero1′s forthcoming album, set for release in Summer 2012. Featuring a whole lot of soul from Suhn (of the Tones), the song sends a strong message of urging everyone to find something to believe in/fight for.

In addition, 50% of all proceeds of the song’s sales in the first month will be donated directly to Free the Slaves, a charity focused on ending slavery for women, children, and men around the world.

Download on iTunes: or Bandcamp!