Join us for our 15th Annual Gala on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Tribeca 360!

Korean American Story was created 15 years ago to capture, create, preserve, and share stories of the Korean American experience. We believe storytelling uplifts our community and connects hearts and minds through our shared humanity.

This year, we are proud to celebrate three Korean American Trailblazer Honorees: Eric Kim (Food Columnist, THE NEW YORK TIMES), Soo Hugh (Showrunner, Writer, Producer, PACHINKO), and Kevin Woo (Singer/Actor, KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, U-KISS).

The evening will be hosted by our Emcee, Vivian Lee and feature special live performances. Kathleen Kim, the voice and puppeteer of Sesame Street’s first Korean American muppet, Ji-Young, will make an appearance as our Auctioneer.   

Be sure to stick around after the Gala program! We’ll continue the evening with an afterparty at Tribeca 360 until 11:30pm. Complimentary food and cocktails will be provided.  It’s a great time to continue celebrating our Trailblazer Honorees and Korean American Story's work capturing the Korean American experience. 

Thank you for the past 15 years and partnering with us on our mission to uplift and amplify the stories of the Korean American community.

By attending our gala, you consent to the use of your voice and likeness without compensation in film, videotape, photography, and/or sound recording of this event, and you agree to release Korean American Story, its sponsors, and performers from any liability on account of such use.

If you have any questions or concerns, email us at gala@koreanamericanstory.org. 

2025 Trailblazer Honorees

ERIC KIM
Food Columnist
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Eric Kim (he/him) is a New York Times staff writer and essayist born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His debut cookbook, Korean American: Food That Tastes Like Home, was an instant New York Times Best Seller. Eric hosts regular videos on NYT Cooking’s YouTube channel and writes a monthly column for The New York Times Magazine. His collection of essays, Spaghetti Junction, is due out in 2026 by Crown Publishing. He lives in New York City with his rescue dog, Q.

SOO HUGH
Showrunner, Writer, Producer
PACHINKO
Soo Hugh (she/her) is a television and film writer/producer, and showrunner of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series PACHINKO. She’s also set to make her feature directing debut with her adaptation of F. Scott Fitzerald’s TENDER IS THE NIGHT for Searchlight Pictures and Lucky Chapp. Previously, Soo was the co-showrunner for the first season of THE TERROR (AMC), produced by Ridley Scott. Other television credits include THE WHISPERS (ABC), THE KILLING (AMC), and UNDER THE DOME (CBS). Her Moonslinger Productions banner, which has a producing deal with Apple and Media Res, has set up numerous projects at studios and networks.

KEVIN WOO
Singer/Actor
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, U-KISS
Kevin Woo (he/him) is a Korean American actor, singer-songwriter, and producer best known as the main vocalist of global K-pop group U-KISS. He has headlined international tours and released chart-topping albums for over a decade. Kevin recently starred in Broadway’s KPOP and appeared in Anderson .Paak’s directorial debut film K-POPS! and Netflix’s animated film K-POP Demon Hunters.

Our Economic Diversity Initiative

2023 marked the inaugural year of our Economic Diversity Initiative. Last year, thanks to your generous support, we were able to provide complimentary tickets to 31 attendees. Your donation as a Diversity Ambassador or a Diversity Supporter allows us to invite valued members of our community who are not able to attend our gala without financial assistance. Please support our new initiative for economic equity.

• Each donation at the Diversity Ambassador level covers the cost of ten guests to attend our gala.
  
  
• Each donation at the Diversity Supporter level covers the cost of one guest to attend our gala.
  
  
• Sponsors at the Showrunner and Executive Producer levels may donate one of their tables to receive an additional acknowledgment as a Diversity Ambassador by emailing HJ@koreanamericanstory.org.

Invitations will be extended to participants of our programs and through trusted community organizations. Your donation is fully tax deductible.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KOREAN AMERICAN STORY'S 15TH ANNUAL GALA