“We are creating GYOPO every time we gather. We are creating bonds outside of our cloistered professional lives and building trust in our community. We are expanding our chosen family,” said GYOPO co-founder and Steering Committee Chair, Yoon Ju Ellie Lee. “After seven solid years of programming, we are now regularly tapped by anchor institutions as programming partners. GYOPO’s excellence, innovation, and the audiences we’ve cultivated are so valued.”
On Sunday, September 15, 2024, GYOPO hosted its sixth annual Chuseok benefit, presented by CJ. The Korean Harvest Moon Holiday heralds the beginning of autumn and is a time of coming together to celebrate abundance, express gratitude, and strengthen bonds of solidarity. Co-hosts Samie Kim Falvey and Mia Locks welcomed over 250 guests to Kim Falvey’s home in Hancock Park to honor Mina Park and Kwang Uh, chefs and owners of Baroo, which was recently named the Los Angeles Times’s 2024 Restaurant of the Year. The event’s Title Sponsor was CJ, and Premier Sponsor support was given by East West Bank.
Mina Park, while accepting the honor, shared that “GYOPO has been an integral part in making us feel like GYOPO is our home. We are guided by Buddhist principles: compassion for others and the fundamental belief that we are all connected. We cook not only to make the world a more delicious place, but we hope in our own small way, we make the world a better place. Building a sense of community, taking steps to support positive change through food and celebrating our culture are important to us. We see in GYOPO a similarly aligned organization, taking art and creative expression as a starting point to connect, celebrate, honor and leave this world a more compassionate world.”
Victoria Chon, Director of Global Strategy at CJ Entertainment, expressed the importance of the work GYOPO does and the importance of delivering our stories with new people and generations. She said, “People are listening, enjoying and resonating with Korean stories like never before. This incredible journey would not be possible without the collaboration of artists and creators like you. Valuing and supporting people lies at the heart of CJ; it is why we proudly support the truly special GYOPO community.”
Joel Kim Booster, Julie Cho and David Nam, Mary H.K. Choi, Sandy Choi, Merle Dandridge, Andrea Lee Greenburg, Cathy Park Hong, Lisa and Emil Kang, Joan Kee, Christine Sun Kim, Christine Y. Kim, Robin-Hwajin Yoon Kim, Maia Ruth Lee, Carol Lim, Na Mira, Ari Osterweis, Randall Park, Kyungmi Shin, Jiwon Choi Song and Steven Song, Ann Soh Woods, Anicka Yi, Jessica Yi
Alex Ahn, Joann Ahn, Jackilin Hah Bloom, Julie Cho, Sandy Choi, Brian Han, Naree Kae, Christine Y. Kim, Eric Kim, Kathleen C. Kim, Kibum Kim, Grace Lee, Yoon Ju Ellie Lee, Danielle Lew, Catherine Park, Jennifer Park, Marianne Park, Ann Soh Woods, Cat Yang
