Press

Korean-Americans bond at New York gala event

NEW YORK — Hundreds of Korean-Americans and others who are interested in Korean culture gathered in a huge networking event Saturday as part of efforts to strengthen their bonding in New York City.

More than 350 Korean-Americans, mainly students and young professionals living in New York, attended a special gala event hosted by MOI’M, a non-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting networking among Korean-American students and young professionals.

The host organization, launched in 2013, pursues a primary mission of “networking through entertainment.” This was MOI’M’s second gala event hosted and participated in by Korean-Americans.

“Success in Korean-American families is all about being the first to cross the finish line. Get into the best school, find the best job, make the most money, leave the most distance between yourself and the rest of the Korean American community as possible,” said Kyung B Yoon, executive director and co-founder of the Korean American Community Foundation in her keynote speech.

“But what if we stopped thinking about success as coming in first place? What if we redefined success to be about how many people we can take across the finish line with us?” Yoon is formerly an award-winning correspondent for WNYW Fox Channel-5 News, and the first Korean-American broadcast reporter in New York.

Gary from Korean duo Leessang, joined by frequent collaborator Jungin, heightened the mood by performing their hit songs, “Girl Who Can’t Break up, Boy Who Can’t Leave,” “Ballerino,” and “Rush.”
“I am amazed to see such an event for the Korean-American community in New York,” Gary said.

Most of the attendees left the gala well entertained and satisfied.

“As a Korean American residing and working in New York City, it was important for me to find my own […]

Jung In & Gary From LeeSsang, Rock MOI’M’s 2nd Annual Gala, `Showtime’

MOI’M, hosted the “MOI’M Gala 2014: Showtime” in New York City’s Gotham Hall last night, Sept. 20. The highlight of the event was the featured Korean artists, Jung In and Gary from Leessang, who brought a stampede of fans toward the stage.

“MOI’M Gala 2014: Showtime” was presented by KBS America and DirecTV who took the opportunity to announce that they will be partnering up to bring Korean content to a nationwide audience.

The keynote speaker was Kyung B. Yoon, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Korean American Community Foundation. After quieting the rowdy crowd with shared cultural anecdotes, the first Korean-American broadcast reporter in New York talked about her time on Channel-5 News and the importance of inclusion in the community.

“There was only room for one Asian-American reporter” when Yoon was a young and hungry journalist at WNYW Fox, she told the audience, and she was seen more as competition than peer.

Loria Song, who was 2013 Miss Korea Washington DC, and Larry Kim co-hosted the cocktail hour entertainment, which included the spoon-bending talents of mentalist Kirsch and the nationally ranked beatboxer Sung Lee.

The cocktail hour was accompanied by the smooth jazz sounds of New School’s Jazz and Contemporary Music program grads. Singer Hye Jeung Kang was joined by saxophonist Jinwoo Lee with Myung Won Kim on guitar, Hyung Jin Choi on piano, Joonsam Lee on bass, Joochan Im on drums.

The second annual gala from the Korean creative networking organization was a huge success and well it should have been. Esther Sin, MOI’M’s business operations manager told KpopStarz “We began preparing for this event starting from last October 2013, right after our first gala, ‘Red […]

Get excited for MOI’M’s upcoming networking event with guests Gary and Jung In

Are you excited for the networking event of the year? As previously reported, non-profit organization MOI’M will be hosting ‘MOI’M Gala 2014: Showtime,’ and the date is quickly approaching!

It will be taking place in New York City’s Gotham Hall on September 20 with appearances by Leessang’s Gary and Jung In! A lot of guests, regardless of whether they are Korean or even Asian, will be at this event to create relationships with one another ranging from professional ties to sweet friendships.

Unfortunately, the event is only for those 21 and older, but fortunately, this is because it includes a cocktail reception-not to mention an awesome opening ceremony, delicious three course dinner, musical performances, as well as a keynote speaker, who is now revealed to be Kyung B. Yoon of KACF (Korean American Community Foundation)!
Link to the article >>

MOI’M To Hold 2nd Annual Gala Show With Gary And Jungin As Special Guests

MOI’M, a non-profit organization that works toward promoting networking amongst students and young career people, will be hosting another gala event at NYC’s Gotham Hall.

The “MOI’M Gala 2014: Showtime” will involve contributions from Leessang’s Gary and Korean singer Jung In.

The event is expected to bring in 500 guests from Korean, Korean-American, and Asian American populations, according to the publication Allkpop. A large non-Korean attendance is to be expected, according to the website.

The gala show will consist of an opening ceremony, dinner and special performances from various artists, including Gary and Jung In. An after party will also be held at Club Circle, providing guests with the opportunity to expand their social circle.

Gary and Jung In have collaborated previously, topping major music charts in Korea with their duet song “Your Scent,” which was released earlier this year. As soon as the track was released, it was spotted topping musiccharts, including Melon, Genie, Mnet, Naver Music and Olleh Music.

The track was composed by both Jung In and Duble Sidekick while Gary was responsible for the lyrics that talk about the most simple of all loves.

Both Gary and Jung In have been a part of the Korean music industry for a while now.

Jung In made her debut back in 2002 after being featured on Leessang’s “Rush,” which explains why she’s gone on to collaborate further with rapper Gary. Jung In successfully released her first studio album titled “From Andromeda” in 2010.

Leessang’s rapper, Gary, debuted back in 1996, as part of the hip-hop duo. Known for his impeccable rapping skills, the rapper released his first solo album earlier this year, 16 years after debuting, according […]

‘눈폭풍’ 뚫고 열린 행사…’뮤직바이더글래스’

몬스터 눈폭풍이 뉴욕을 삼켰던 지난 13일. 퐁당퐁당 발이 빠지는 20인치의 폭설을 헤치며 ‘뮤직바이더글래스’ 세 번째 모임이 열리는 맨해튼 소호에 루이스 메이셀 갤러리로 향했다. 오늘 같이 걷기도 힘든 날 사람들이 과연 모일까.

문을 열고 들어서면 수제 피아노 스타인웨이(Steinway & Sons)가 손님들을 맞는다. 독일에서 피아노를 제작하던 하인리히 엥겔하르트 슈타인베크는 1849년 뉴욕으로 이주하면서 이름을 미국식 스타인웨이로 바꾸고 아들들과 함께 자신의 이름을 건 세계적인 명성의 피아노 공장을 탄생시킨다. 1만 개가 넘는 부품을 처음부터 끝까지 수작업으로 만드는 피아노는 한 대를 만드는 데 꼬박 1년이란 세월이 걸린다. 지난 2008년 스타인웨이가 사망하면서 한때 최대 주주가 된 삼익악기가 스타인웨이사 경영권을 확보하고자 했지만 실패하면서 금투자 편드사인 폴슨앤코에 인수됐다.

“다음 모임 때는 스타인웨이 한 대가 더 인사할 거에요. 모임 반응이 날로 좋아져 갤러리에서 한 대를 더 준비해 준답니다.”

피아니스트 이소연씨다. 지난해 5월 이씨는 그의 음악 친구이자 반려자인 피아니스트 랜 댕크 공동대표와 음악과 와인으로 세대를 엮는 비영리단체 뮤직바이더글래스를 설립했다. 지난 2010년 나움버그 국제 피아노 콩쿨에서 나란히 1·2위를 수상한 부부는 소비적인 파티색을 벗고 지친 마음과 육체를 어루만지는 힐링 모임을 만들고 싶었다. 관계를 맺으려고 하는 인간의 본성을 발휘할 수 있는 시간과 자리만 마련해 주면 사람들이 어울려 서로에게 배우고 에너지를 생산해 낼 힘을 찾을 수 있다고 생각했다. 관계를 맺도록 도와주는 역할은 그들이 가장 사랑하는 음악에게 맡겼다. 와인의 힘도 빌렸다.

시작 시간인 오후 7시30분이 되기도 전에 50여 명이 지각 없이 모두 모였다. 음악과 와인이라는 공통분모로 음악가·와인 전문가를 포함해 미술가·금융 전문가·변호사·의사·디자이너·사진작가·작가·대학원생 등 30의 한인과 타민족들이 다양하게 모였다.

월스트릿 금융가의 한 헤지펀드에서 일하면서 부업으로 맨해튼 다운타운 멀버리스트릿에서 놀리타와인 가게를 운영하는 툴리오 베라 대표가 선별해 온 와인들을 구경하며 모임이 시작됐다. 첫 곡이 연주되기 전에 냇 데이비스 와인 전문가가 독일 작곡가 로베르트 슈만의 내림 마장조 1악장 피아노곡에 어울리는 와인을 한 잔씩 건넨다. 그는 “밝은 체리와 하얀 페퍼 향을 품은 2009년산 포스트레이터 로렌트 리서브가 요염하고 경쾌하게 시작하는 슈만곡에 잘 어울릴 것”이라며 “이어질 미국 작곡가 프리츠 크라이슬러의 […]