Los Angeles
11 ingredients, 22 health benefits: Los Angeles celebrated its first-ever Kimchi Day
California celebrated its first-ever Kimchi Day on Monday with a festival.
Great gut health: Led by Assemblymember Steven Choi, the Golden State passed a resolution on Aug. 23 to designate Nov. 22 as Kimchi Day to honor its growing Korean population, according to Korea.net.
First Hmong American gold medalist Suni Lee allegedly pepper sprayed in anti-Asian attack in LA
Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee said in a recent interview that she was the target of an anti-Asian attack in Los Angeles where she was pepper-sprayed and told to “go back to where they came from.”
Racist attack: The 18-year-old athlete, who became the first Hmong American gymnast to make it to the Olympics, told Pop Sugar that she requested an Uber with her Asian friends when a group in a passing car shouted racist slurs, such as “ching chong,” at them.
Visiting Chinese professor fights off armed robber using martial arts in Los Angeles
A Chinese professor visiting Los Angeles early this month fought off an attacker using martial arts in an incident that has gone viral across Chinese media.
Martial arts hero: Zhou Pigai, a professor at Xiangtan University in Hunan, China, fought off an armed robbery attempt on Nov. 1, according to state-run news outlet China Daily.
LA County reports 76% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in the past year
Los Angeles County has reported a 76% growth in anti-Asian hate crimes in the past year.
The stats: On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations (LACCHR) released a report documenting the increase to 44 recorded incidents in 2020 from 25 in 2019.
2 Chinese diners refuse to pay restaurant bill after being allegedly angered by US national anthem
Two Chinese men reportedly left a restaurant in California without paying because a group of Chinese American diners sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” during an event.
What happened: The incident occurred inside a Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, according to World Journal, as translated by Taiwan News. The two men entered the restaurant at around 7 p.m. and left without paying 20 minutes later.
Asian elder scared of stepping outside after seeing his arrested attacker in the same spot days later
An elderly Asian American man is fearful of going out after seeing the person who viciously assaulted him in Los Angeles’ Koreatown just a few days later.
What happened: Samuel Kang, 70, was waiting for a bus at the corner of 5th Street and Western Avenue on Sept. 20 when he first came across Cartrell Smith, who, after walking by, allegedly turned around and hit Kang in the face.
‘I can’t let him get away with this’: Asian woman punched in LA chases attacker on video
An Asian woman who suffered a bloodied mouth after an unprovoked attack in Los Angeles is seeking justice as her alleged assailant continues to walk free.
What happened: Jennifer Chen, a Canadian national visiting the city, was alone in her car when a man allegedly approached her, uttered a racial slur and punched her in the mouth. The incident reportedly occurred in the parking lot of The Balcony on Beverwil around 4:25 p.m. on Sept. 15.
Koreatown mural redone after three-year-long community backlash accusing of it being like a swastika
After three years of arguing, petitioning and back-and-forth conversations, a mural in Los Angeles’ Koreatown was redone and unveiled last Wednesday.
The controversy: In 2016, a mural was put up on a wall of the Robert F. Kennedy Community School in Los Angeles honoring Hollywood icon and actress Ava Gardner. There were no qualms about the actress herself, but in 2018, Korean community groups and protestors took issue with the massive crimson sun rays emanating from her face, comparing them to a swastika or a burning cross, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Digital entrepreneur and Clubhouse influencer Jin Yu passes away
Jin Yu, a digital entrepreneur and Clubhouse influencer known as WOLF x LION, has recently passed away “as peacefully as possible” in a hospital surrounded by family.
What happened: Yu’s younger sister, Julie Yu-Meier, kept the entrepreneur’s friends and family updated through the GoFundMe campaign she set up to cover his medical bills, according to People.
Twitch streamer JoeyKaotyk confronts racist passerby inside LA store
Asian Twitch IRL (in real life) streamer JoeyKaotyk encountered a racist passerby during a live stream in downtown Los Angeles on Monday.
What happened: JoeyKaotyk was doing his usual live stream when a man walked past him and started mocking his Asian heritage with a fake accent, according to Dexerto.
Maskless California man bullies the wrong ‘Korean Uncle’ as H Mart Ahjummas come to his defense
A man who caused a ruckus after refusing to wear a mask at an H Mart in California was forced to leave the store as its manager and customers stood together to kick him out.
What happened: The incident occurred at the Korean American supermarket’s location in West Huntington Drive, Arcadia around 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 6. Emilie Tan (@emilieeetan), who was shopping with her boyfriend, managed to film parts of the chaos.
Dominic Choi makes history as LAPD’s first Asian American assistant chief
Korean American officer Dominic Choi made history as the first Asian American assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The promotion: Choi’s promotion to assistant chief now gives him the second-highest ranking in the department. He is one of three assistant chiefs, according to CBS Los Angeles.