For Barbie, the cultural upheaval of the 60s and 70s incites one identity crisis after another as Mattel tries to keep up with the times. On top of that, she has a new boyfriend to deal with. Ken's creation is a big hit for Barbie fans, but he’s facing a few growing pains of his own. In this episode, we investigate Ken's origin story, delve into the inner workings of Mattel, and hear how Barbie's inventor, Ruth Handler, was ousted from her own company.

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". 

Listen now at https://laist.com/podcasts/la-made  

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. 

"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" and hear from two of the songwriters behind the song -- and we learn 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 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.

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. Learn what these establishments in K-town 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.

The LA Uprising exploded racial and economic injustices simmering under the surface of Los Angeles into the open. From LAist Studios, season 2 of California Love: K-Pop Dreaming, host Vivian Yoon takes a look 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.

It's been more than 50 years since an American has set foot on the moon, or even gotten close to it. But on Monday, NASA named the four astronauts who will crew the upcoming Artemis II mission. One of the astronauts selected, Victor Glover, a Southern Californian from Pomona graduated from Ontario High School in 1994 and went on to study engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before enlisting in the Navy in 1999 to become a pilot. Glover is the first African American assigned to a lunar mission and says of the experience, “This is well beyond my wildest dreams.”

 

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

 

What is it about gazing at the stars that inspires humans — including our very own Suicide Squad — to attempt the impossible? And what is it about sunny Southern California that inspires them to do it here? In this episode we find out.

 

Support LA Made: Blood, Sweat & Rockets by donating now at LAist.com/join