When I was a high schooler, asking me to go to Koreatown in LA was like asking me to sit through a root canal without anesthesia. I didn’t like going because it was rustic, too “Korean”, not modern etc, etc. I think I’ve matured some since then. Now, the things I very much detested about Koreatown is what actually draws me there.
Because my love for Korean food has grown over the years, I now make frequent trips to Koreatown. And with each visit, I am all the more comforted by the old town Korea feel. I feel as though I enter through a haven of good food, comfort and ease. The familiarity of the aged buildings and signs adds to the enjoyment of my trips. This is why I had mixed reactions when I read this article about the rise of new buildings with sleek designs in my beloved Koreatown. While I agree that change can be good — and I love new things just as much as the next person — I couldn’t help but to feel that sleek, flashy buildings might rob Koreatown of some of its charm. It also saddens me that this new development means that some small-scale comfort food filled Korean restaurants I have come to love will have to close to make way for new, sleek, and highly profitable ones. The more I think about it, the more I’m apt to say this change may not be the best change for my beloved Koreatown.
(Photo credit: Racked LA)
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9 Comments to “LA’s Koreatown: When Change is Not the Best”
moye wrote:
Jee! I have the opposite opinion.
THIS IS WAR.
I always thought K-town was getting old, crowded and run down–and pretty much ignored by the rest of the city, so I'm looking forward to the development and seeing how the rest of the city is finally taking notice of the area. It used to be either a business area or a place to eat, but now it's turning more and more into a metropolitan place to live. But then again, I've rarely visited the smaller businesses, so I understand your concern.
So let's fight this out on the corner of Western and Wilshire blvd.
Posted on 01-Sep-09 at 9:47 pm | Permalink
Efren Bose wrote:
Moye and Jee, should we set up a mud wrestling ring so you can fight it out?
I'll charge $50 for people to watch–and then we'll have enough to go to French Laundry when you guys are done.
Posted on 01-Sep-09 at 10:04 pm | Permalink
johnklin wrote:
@Efren – LOL. We should broadcast this fight live over the Internet.
Posted on 01-Sep-09 at 10:06 pm | Permalink
ErnieAtLYD wrote:
Perfect! I have these Sailor Moon outfits.
Posted on 01-Sep-09 at 10:44 pm | Permalink
jeesuh wrote:
Boys and girls, it's ON! War between Moye and Jee. hahaha
P
Anything to get us a 8sians hosted dinner at French Laundry.
This might put a damper on the WAR, but honestly, I hear ya Moye. There are two sides to every coin and this could be one of those, good for the most part, maybe not so good for some (a.k.a. hole in the wall businesses).
I'm not business-minded, but I'm guessing the new developments will bring more folks(with money) to Ktown, which will mean more income for LA.
Maybe I should do another post from the angle of benefits the change has on tourism, income for the city, etc instead of a girl who wants her ghetto Korean food from hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Posted on 02-Sep-09 at 1:41 am | Permalink
moye wrote:
Crap. I going to have to work out more to fit in those costumes.
Posted on 02-Sep-09 at 9:51 am | Permalink
Efren Bose wrote:
Maybe we should do oil wrestling then–it'll show off your costumes better!
Posted on 02-Sep-09 at 10:04 am | Permalink
jeesuh wrote:
It just hit me. I'm gonna look like a stumpy, chubby Sailor Moon. I'd work out, but since I can't make myself grow taller by working out, I'm just gonna eat up so I can be the roundest Sailor Moon there ever was.
Posted on 02-Sep-09 at 10:10 am | Permalink
moye wrote:
You can be Sailor Sun. GET IT?
Posted on 02-Sep-09 at 3:15 pm | Permalink
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