Editor Julie Ha Frequency Monthly Year founded 1990 | Categories Ethnic press Publisher James Ryu Final issue December 2015 | |
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KoreAm was a monthly print magazine dedicated to news, commentary, politics, lifestyle and culture published in the United States. It is the oldest and most widely circulated English-language monthly magazine for the Asian American community. The magazine has featured prominent Asian American leaders, politicians, artists, entertainers, athletes and entrepreneurs. It also covers current events related to North Korea, South Korea, Asian Americans, immigrants and communities of color. The magazine ended print issue in December 2015.
Contents
The magazine publishes exclusively online under its new website kore
History
KoreAm was founded by Jung Shig Ryu and James Ryu in 1990 in Los Angeles, California.
The magazine highlights news, stories, op ed pieces and entertainment for the Kyopo community - aka ethnic Koreans living overseas - primarily Koreans in the United States. The magazine highlights Korean American perspectives on matters related to Korea, including North Korea's nuclear program, reunification, the six-party talks, the deaths of South Korean presidents, the globalization of South Korean pop culture, and peninsular tensions and conflicts. The magazine also addresses biracial and adoptee communities. Today KoreAm is the most widely circulated, longest-running, independent English-language publication serving the Korean American community.
Two years after KoreAm's founding, the magazine became a major forum for the Korean community relating to the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The riots caused violence, arson, looting and lawlessness. Korean-run businesses were targeted during what has been dubbed this nation's first "multiethnic riot."
KoreAm features prominent Korean Americans on its cover. These stories include Margaret Cho, John Cho, Daniel Dae Kim, Jane Kim, and Michelle Rhee. Stories have also included a profile on Pinkberry founder Shelly Hwang, a ground level feature on the Virginia Tech massacre, as well as packages on health care reform, education reform, gays in the military, and Korean Americans affected by Hurricane Katrina. The magazine's official website was launched in 2009.
London Trust Media acquired the magazine in 2014. The magazine ceased publication in December 2015.
Awards
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) "Leadership Award"
Korean Churches in Community Development (KCCD) "Legacy Award"
National New America Media Award in the category of Best In-Depth and Investigative Reporting for Kai Ma's “To Have and to Hold,” a feature on Proposition 8 and the Korean American vote.
National New America Media Honorable Mention in the category of Arts, Sports & Entertainment for Kai Ma’s “High Rollers,” a feature on high-stakes gambling.
National New America Media Award in the category of Race and Interethnic Relations for Julie Ha’s “Neighborhood Watch,” a feature on the large numbers of Koreans moving into the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Little Tokyo, one of the last Japantowns left in California.
Asian Pacific American Community Award by Assembly member Ted Lieu.
Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Awards, Region 5: Best Nonfiction Magazine Features.
New California Media Awards: International; Youth Voice; Workplace Issues/Economy; Investigative/In-depth (runner-up); Arts, Sports & Entertainment (runner-up).
New California Media Awards: Arts/Culture. PACE Setter Award presented by the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment.
Outstanding Service on Behalf of the Korean American community presented by the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California.
Annual Community Service Award presented by the Korean American Coalition San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Award nominee.