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Imperfect Paradise Imperfect Paradise is a longform narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance. Each story takes on something essential about California — its progressiveness, its reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places — and each season breaks it down into multiple 20-40 minute episodes that will be released sequentially.Season 1 sheds light on divisive housing issues in Orange County.Season 2 investigates the death of Chicano activist Oscar Gomez.Season 3 unravels the controversy surrounding LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.Season 4, Yoga's "Queen of Conspiracy Theories," is a new season which tells the story of how a former yoga and wellness star fell down the far-right rabbit hole during the pandemic. The first episode will be available to stream starting January 3rd, 2023.
Imperfect Paradise

Podcast Directory
Imperfect Paradise

Imperfect Paradise

From LAist 89.3

Imperfect Paradise is a longform narrative podcast showcasing California stories with universal significance. Each story takes on something essential about California — its progressiveness, its reputation as a home for dreamers and schemers, its heartbreaking inequality, its varied and diverse communities, its unique combination of dense cities and wild places — and each season breaks it down into multiple 20-40 minute episodes that will be released sequentially.Season 1 sheds light on divisive housing issues in Orange County.Season 2 investigates the death of Chicano activist Oscar Gomez.Season 3 unravels the controversy surrounding LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.Season 4, Yoga's "Queen of Conspiracy Theories," is a new season which tells the story of how a former yoga and wellness star fell down the far-right rabbit hole during the pandemic. The first episode will be available to stream starting January 3rd, 2023.

Most Recent Episodes

K-Pop Dreaming - Bonus #1 Danny Im

Thank you for listening to Yeah No, I'm Not OK. The team at LAist Studios would like to share our latest podcast, California Love: K-Pop Dreaming. It's a story about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles by host Vivian Yoon. 1TYM is one of the most iconic first-generation K-pop groups from the 90's. The group is also one of Vivian's all-time favorites. This special bonus episode features an extended interview with Danny Im, the lead vocalist of 1TYM. Danny talks to Vivian about meeting legendary K-pop producer YG in Koreatown for an impromptu audition, 1TYM's rise to fame during K-pop's infancy in the '90s and early 2000s, and Danny's first impressions of Jennie and Lisa — when the two auditioned for YG Entertainment before becoming members of BLACKPINK. (originally published April 13, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

K-Pop Dreaming - Koreatown

Thank you for listening to Imperfect Paradise. The team at LAist Studios would like to share our latest podcast, California Love: K-Pop Dreaming. It's a story about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles by host Vivian Yoon. K-Pop has put Koreatown on the map for a lot of people who might not have known about the neighborhood otherwise. Fans from around the country visit the area for concerts, special K-Pop events, and to find rare or one-of-a-kind merch. Vivian hits up some of these establishments in K-town to see what they reveal about the history of the neighborhood and the music, and how those connections have shaped Korean Americans who have grown up in Los Angeles. Features Ryan Lee Wong, author of the novel, "Which Side Are You On". (originally published April 6, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

K-Pop Dreaming - KCON

Thank you for listening to Imperfect Paradise. The team at LAist Studios would like to share our latest podcast, California Love: K-Pop Dreaming. It's a story about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles by host Vivian Yoon. There's no better place to experience K-Pop fandom in all of its passion and glory than KCON. In the span of a decade, the annual fan convention has grown to a nationwide event drawing hundreds of thousands of fans. And just like many things K-Pop-related in the US – the extravaganza started right here in Southern California. Vivian and her childhood friends visit KCON held in downtown Los Angeles to witness the impact of the music firsthand. (Originally published March 30, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

K-Pop Dreaming - Roots of Rap

Thank you for listening to Imperfect Paradise. The team at LAist Studios would like to share our latest podcast, California Love: K-Pop Dreaming. It's a story about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles by host Vivian Yoon. The LA Uprising exploded racial and economic injustices simmering under the surface of Los Angeles into the open. Vivian looks at the events leading up to the Uprising, and the efforts following the protests to promote racial harmony in Los Angeles, including the staging of an African music festival in South Los Angeles that featured a performance by an up-and-coming Korean American rapper named Tiger JK. Years after the festival, he would go on to make a name for himself in South Korea as the "Godfather of Korean Hip-Hop". (Originally published March 23, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

K-Pop Dreaming - Solid

Thank you for listening to Imperfect Paradise. The team at LAist Studios would like to share our latest podcast, California Love: K-Pop Dreaming. It's a story about the rise and history of K-pop in the United States, as told from the point-of-view of the Korean diaspora in Los Angeles by host Vivian Yoon. The underground hip-hop scene in Los Angeles was thriving in the late 1980s. And there, soaking in the vibe, was a Korean American college student by the name of Jae Chong. He was also making music on the side, but didn't think much was going to come of it. That is, until an out-of-the-blue invitation brought him and his friends to Korea when K-pop was taking off. Their group, Solid, would become the Kings of R&B and the first Korean American act to make a splash in the Korean music industry. Vivian reflects on the importance of Solid and sees the group's Korean-Americanness as the cornerstone of their success. (Originally published March 16, 2023) Support K-pop Dreaming by donating now at LAist.com/join This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Save 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/Dreaming This episode is brought to you by your local Kia dealers. Visit kia.com to discover movement that inspires. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Part 4 - "Imperfect Paradise" Presents: Finding Home con DACA

Brian returns to Los Angeles. But his ideas of "home" have changed. Music from this episode composed by: Geir Sundstøl, Modarchive, Natalia Lafourcade, Old Saw, Woo, Yeahman Support How To LA and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Part 3 - "Imperfect Paradise" Presents: Finding Home con DACA

Brian finally sets foot in Mexico. His audio diary chronicles what it was like to feel at home while feeling like an outsider. Music from this episode composed by: Floating Points, Geir Sundstøl, Modarchive, Yeahman Support How To LA and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Part 2 - "Imperfect Paradise" Presents: Finding Home con DACA

Brian is surprised by a letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It's his Advance Parole document. He can travel to Mexico – his country of birth – for the first time in 30 years. The days ahead become a sprint to prepare and make travel plans. He only has a month to return to the U.S., or he could lose DACA and be denied reentry. Guest: Roberto Gonzales, a professor of sociology at University of Pennsylvania, who has testified before Congress on immigration policy. Music from this episode composed by: Chris Schlarb, Dexter Thomas, Geir Sundstøl, Mamman Sani, Nicklas Nygren, Old Saw, and Yeahman Support How To LA and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Part 1 - "Imperfect Paradise" Presents: Finding Home con DACA

California is home to around 2 million undocumented people. And in Southern California, roughly 80,000 of them have DACA, Deferred Action Childhood Arrival (although some stats put that number higher). It allows people to get a work permit, to pay in-state tuition, and to get a drivers license. But there are a lot of freedoms it doesn't grant, like freely traveling outside the US. How to LA host Brian De Los Santos has had DACA for about a decade. He recently got approved to do something big: he's going to Mexico for the first time since he was 2 years old, through a process called advance parole. It's a travel permit that allows DACA recipients to leave the country and come back. However, the permit is issued with a very specific time window, and is only given for certain travel reasons. And the big one: it doesn't guarantee admission back into the country. But despite the stress, Brian's taking the opportunity to go Mexico and see family he hasn't seen since he was a toddler. In the first part of this series, Brian's bringing in a couple of his friends and fellow DACA recipients to talk about all of his hopes and fears for the trip, and what it's like to live with DACA in the U.S., which is very much like living in limbo every day. We've got more of Brian's story over on LAist.com, so be sure to check that out. As A DACA Beneficiary, I've Been Waiting For This Trip To Mexico All My Life If you have DACA and want to apply for advance parole, it's very important that you consult with an immigration attorney. These organizations can help get you started: CALIFORNIA MEXICO CENTER https://www.california-mexicocenter.org/cmdsummer2023/ CARECEN LA https://www.carecen-la.org/can_i_apply_for_advance_parole?locale=en Guests: Chris Farias, LAist social media producer; José Alonso Munoz, deputy communications manager for United We Dream, an immigrant youth-led support network Music Credits This Week: Chris Schlarb, The Mod Archive, Quetzal, Naran Ratan, Natalia Lafourcade, Austin Cross, Old Saw, & Anthony Barilla Support How To LA and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

NPR's Code Switch on Imperfect Paradise

Hey, Imperfect Paradise listeners, this is Emily Guerin. I'm one of the hosts and senior producers of this show. We're doing something a little different and we're bringing you an episode of the NPR podcast Code Switch. My colleague Josie Huang is talking to one of their hosts about the mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, and what it says about the dark side of the Asian American dream. I hope you like it. Support LAist Today: https://LAist.com/donate

Imperfect Paradise

Podcast Directory