Korean American Perspectives

In the final episode of our season, host Abraham Kim sits down with the incomparable Kristen Kish—chef, television host, and the recipient of the 2024 Council of Korean Americans’ Inspire Award. Kristen takes us on a journey through her distinctly Midwestern childhood as a Korean adoptee, her path into the culinary world, and the pivotal moments and mentors that shaped her along the way. We hear Kristen reflect on her experiences from culinary school, the humbling realities of starting out in the restaurant industry, and her unexpected foray into the media spotlight as a Top Chef winner and now, host. Kristen also opens up about what it means to carve your own Korean American identity, the importance of vulnerability, and how she’s using her national platform to empower others. Kristen Kish is a Korean American chef, television host, and restaurateur known for her remarkable culinary journey and dynamic presence on screen. Born in Seoul and adopted into a family in Michigan, she trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago before rising through the ranks in Boston’s fine dining scene. Kish gained national recognition by winning Season 10 of Top Chef, becoming the second woman to earn the title, and in 2023, she was named the show's new host. She is the chef and partner at Arlo Grey in Austin and has hosted and appeared in a range of popular food and travel shows, including Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, Restaurants at the End of the World, and Fast Foodies. Her new memoir Accidentally on Purpose was released earlier this year and is an instant New York Times Bestseller.

This episode features a conversation with Paul Kim, the Founder and Principal of LaSalle Asset Management, CEO and Managing Partner of Aventis Asset Management, and Founder and Partner of 2DS Productions in Chicago. Moderated by CKA President Abraham Kim, this conversation was recorded as part of Mr. Kim’s Honoree recognition at the 2024 CKA Envision Gala and Summit. Mr. Kim was honored for his business accomplishments and humanitarian efforts to aid and fund community development projects in North America, Asia, and Africa. Paul Kim is the founder and managing partner of LaSalle Asset Management, a proprietary trading firm focused on agricultural commodities. Previously, Mr. Kim was involved in the futures industry for 38 years, first as a trader for Cargill Inc. and then as the first Asian American independent floor trader at the Chicago Board of Trade. From 2000 to 2020 he founded and managed two funds, LaSalle and Aventis Asset Management. In 1996, he started a foundation called International Outreach Council, non-profit acting as a “venture capitalist” for Christian based organizations serving in the US and the “10/40 window”. He is also the founder and managing partner of Providence Pictures, a production company focused on creating content for the entertainment industry. Since 2013 Mr. Kim has focused on serving the Korean American community via his activities through the Council of Korean Americans. 

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features a conversation with veteran nurse and elder care pioneer Sue Song, featured on HLAG’s Elderly Care Series hosted by the CKA Health and Life Sciences Affinity Group. Moderated by HLAG co-chair Andrew Kim, this discussion explored how Ms. Song is revolutionizing Korean American elder care in the United States. Sue Song is the Administrator of Golden Living for Korean Seniors, Director of Life Renewal Mental Health Services, and Commissioner for Long-Term Care Administrators of the State of Maryland. She has spent decades as a nurse and educator on long-term elder care, focusing on mental health and innovative solutions for retirees who want to keep their independence and cultural identity.

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features a conversation with Founding Chairman & CEO of Kizan International Bill Kim. Mr. Kim was one of the esteemed honorees at the 2024 CKA Envision Gala and Summit in recognition of his trailblazing business career, as well as his extraordinary contributions to philanthropy and support for Korean art and culture in the U.S. Born in South Korea, Bill Kim came to America in 1964 at the age of 17. Mr. Kim got his start working manual labor, gardening and dishwashing to support himself while attending community college. His entrepreneurial instincts led him to sell wigs, and despite limited English skills his determination and willingness to act brought him financial success. He eventually founded Kizan International which has grown to one of the largest men’s clothing companies in the U.S. Mr. Kim is a strong advocate and supporter of philanthropic giving and joined the board of Give2Asia in 2003, and served as the Board Chairman from 2007 to 2010. He is passionate about supporting Korean art and culture in the US, serving as a commissioner/trustee of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco since 1999.

This episode of the Korean American Perspectives podcast features Eddie Ahn, Executive Director at Brightline Defense, artist, and writer of the national bestselling graphic novel Advocate. Mr. Ahn sits down with CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim to discuss his passion for graphic storytelling, his experiences leading an environmental nonprofit, and the impact of his work with underserved communities. Eddie Ahn has been an environmental justice attorney and nonprofit worker for fifteen years. While working as the executive director of Brightline Defense, a San Francisco–based environmental justice nonprofit, he was inducted into the State of California’s Clean Energy Hall of Fame for his work in equity and clean energy. In addition to his nonprofit work, he has served as president of the San Francisco Commission on the Environment as well as a commissioner on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Bay Conservation and Development Commission. He is a self-taught artist who has been recognized as a Cartoonist-in-Residence by the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa.