Koreans began to arrive in the United States in large numbers in the early 1970's, a large portion of them settled in the East Coast where they began to form ethnic enclaves which we now call Korea Towns. The largest of these towns are found in Los Angeles and Orange County. Koreatown in Los Angeles began to form in the early 1970's by South Korean immigrants who settle in California. By 1990 the town covered a 500 block area that extended from mid Los Angeles Wilshire Blvd to Central and Hollywood districts. Today the town covers an approximate mile radius.

In 1992 Koreatown faced a massive violent riot, many African Americans  felt discriminated by the Los Angeles law enforcement, government, and new South Korean immigrants who had interracial conflicts in South Central L.A. After the 92 civil unrest, many South Korean immigrants relocated to Orange County area, mainly Fullerton and Buena Park. Since the late 1990's and early 2000, L.A county began to expand public transportation within downtown L.A including the Koreatown area. Where many Latino residents and Korean Americans who live who commute in and out for work. According to Besha Rodell from CNN, Koreatown became “tri-lingual neighborhood. That's wherever we go, we can hear Korean, Spanish, and English". Most of residents of Koreatown are Latino they make up 58% percent of the total population. Within the radius of Koreatown it is common to find Bangladeshi, Brazilian, Vietnamese, Pakistani, and more South American residents, employees, businesses, and cuisines.       

Koreatown became a space where different ethnic groups come together and find their work opportunities as well as finding a close ethnic community. Surveying Koreatown, the culture and environment is set up as a “second Korea” where physical beauty, bars, night life, and Korean media are used as a way to commercialize and market. Although Latinos make up most of Koreatown’s population, many Koreans come together and hang out, spend their time eating, drinking, and/or studying in different locations. Koreans widely network in Koreatown to meet new people and expand their social and business circles. Despite the mass amount of Koreans clumping together in restaurant, bars, clubs, markets, and churches, Koreatown is made up of different ethnic and age groups. And is widely known for its diversity, social places, and job opportunities. 

Thania has traveled to the West side using public transportation for over ten years. Her connection to the town is through public transportation. 

Joyce goes to Koreatown weekly and is familiar with the place of Koreatown, but never realized the vast difference in the space vs. place aspect. She attends church in Koreatown and goes to cafes frequently to study or hangout with her friends. Her firsthand knowledge of Koreatown brings into a question of culture and the space vs. place of churches in Koreatown. Koreatown has many churches and there is history brought along with the establishment as well as effects that it has on the Koreatown population.

Charlie focused on the shift of L.A Koreatown food and entertainment industry. Mainly focused on the impact of the L.A riot to many Korean immigrants that caused relocation from L.A to Orange County area. Charlie is also focusing a diverse representation of Koreatown and how food and entertainment can attract more diverse consumers and investors to expand Koreatown to be globalized market. 

1. Critical Map of Koreatown
2. 4/29 LA Riots
3. Churches in Koreatown
4. Public Transportation
5. Food & Entertainment
6. What's missing vs. What's visible