When Barbie arrives on the toy scene in 1959, her celebrity is instantaneous, and not just because of her controversial appearance. Worldwide, Barbie is still the best-selling doll of all time. But Barbie has always been more than just a doll - she's a cultural touchstone. From prototype to prestige, this episode kicks off the origin story of Barbie as told by her creators in their own words.

This podcast is supported by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live.

Season 2 of “LA Made” tells the true story of the making and marketing of the most famous doll in the world, Barbie, told by the people who did it. We’ll hear from Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, who spent years trying to convince her own company to make a teen aged fashion doll.

From LAist Studios, “LA Made: The Barbie Tapes,” coming July 6, 2023. 

Erick is excited about a trip to Mt. Rushmore, but he’s upset when one of Luna’s exes crashes the party. 

This is part two of a nine-part serialized rom-com for your ears. 

The scenes and characters in this episode are inspired by Erick Galindo's life, but it's a fictional story. 

What's the wildest thing you've done for love? Share with us at LAist.com/wildlove. You could be featured on the podcast.

 

Support WILD and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join.

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/WILD Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

Erick Galindo tells Megan Tan a fictional story about the wildest thing he did for love. It's inspired by his life. It all goes back to meeting Luna, a woman from Southeast Los Angeles. She could be the one. 

This is part one of a nine-part serialized rom-com for your ears.

Have a WILD love story of your own? Share with us at LAist.com/wildlove. You could be featured on the podcast.

 

Support WILD and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/WILD Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

The popularity of Korean beauty products has spread globally, just like K-Pop. And we thought you might enjoy this conversation on the origins and rise of K-Beauty -- not only as an industry, but as a new beauty standard. 

The conversation was part of a live event tied to the launch of the new book, "Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital," between the book’s author Elise Hu and NPR’s All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang. You can also watch this conversation here: https://laist.com/events/elise-hu-flawless 

To buy Elise Hu's book, visit https://northfigbookshop.com/

((originally published June 9, 2023))

To view and attend future LAist events, visit: https://laist.com/events/

WILD is a podcast about growing up… kind of. About those big and small moments that transform us forever. About how sometimes we come out on the other side of chaos or adversity with scars, but we come out stronger.
WILD is back for season two. This season, it's all about love with co-hosts Erick Galindo and Megan Tan.

You heard Megan's pandemic love story in season one. This time, Erick tells Megan a fictional love story, inspired by the wildest thing he once did for love... It starts with an invite on a cross-country road trip with the woman who stole his heart.

Join him and Melinna Bobadilla, Gabrielle Ruiz, and Atsuko Okatsuka. Does Erick find his one true love? Listen to WILD Season 2: I Think I’m Falling in Love now.

 

Support WILD and other LAist Studios podcasts by donating now at LAist.com/join 

 

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at https://www.stamps.com/WILD 

Thanks to Stamps.com for sponsoring the show!

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

This week, the K-Pop Dreaming team is bringing you a special episode from our friends at, “Shoes Off: A Sexy Asian Podcast” from the public radio station, WBEZ. It's a podcast that celebrates badass Asians who are making a mark on pop culture and entertainment.

In this episode stand-up comic, Atsuko Okatsuka, is taking the world by storm with her first HBO special, The Intruder, and her viral Drop Challenge on TikTok. She talks about how she learned English by watching Scooby-Doo, what it means to be named Margaret Cho’s comedy heir, and how she took her mom and grandma everywhere — including to her honeymoon.

In a special live event in partnership between LAist Studios and GYOPO, Vivian delves into the origins of K-Pop with Michello Cho, a professor at University of Toronto, and Jheanelle Brown, a California Institute of the Arts faculty member. The conversation goes deep on the influence of hip hop on K-Pop's sound and dance, the impact of American imperialism on the music, and more.
(originally published April 27, 2023)

This episode features clips from these videos:

Korean Kittens - What'd I Say: The Korean Kittens What'd I Say
Girls’ Generation - Genie: Girls' Generation 소녀시대 '소원을 말해봐 (Genie)' MV (Start at 00:35)
BTS - Intro Performance Trailer: BTS (방탄소년단) 가요대제전 Intro performance Trailer
Seo Taiji & Boys - Anyhow Song: 서태지와 아이들(Seotaiji and Boys) - 하여가(Anyhow Song) M/V
Yoon Mirae - Black Happiness: [MV] Yoonmirae(윤미래) _ Black Happiness(검은 행복) - 

 

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.

"Psycho" was an instant K-Pop hit when it came out in 2019. The Red Velvet song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart, and the music video now has over 300 million views on Youtube.

In this bonus episode, we look at the creation of "Psycho". Vivian speaks to two of the songwriters behind the song -- and learns about a little-known incident that erupted just days before the song's release. 
(Originally published April 20, 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.

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.