Latest news with #Korean-owned
Buzz Feed
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
34 Incredible Asian-Owned Brands
Bioré Bioré is a Japanese skincare brand known for focusing on pore care and deep cleansing. Bioré products, including pore strips, cleansers, and sunscreens, are designed to address various skin concerns, particularly those related to pores and cleansing. The brand emphasizes a Japanese beauty philosophy of functionality and simplicity with long-term results. They are known for their viral sunscreen, UV Aqua out all their products on Amazon. Lavender Bee Caps Lavender Bee Caps creates charming artisan keycaps and accessories to add a touch of cuteness to your keyboard, apparel, and stationery. Beyond just decorating your keyboard, the brand also offers whimsical keycap displays which are the perfect way to brighten up your desk setup with personality and out all of their products on Lavender Bee Caps. Buffy Buffy creates extremely comfortable sheets, duvet covers, pillows, comforters, and other home products. Their beddings are perfect for full-body support while sleeping, snuggling, and during pregnancy. Check out all of their products on Buffy. Line Friends Square Line Friends Square is the home of all your favorite adorable characters, including BT21, TRUZ, the Line Friends themselves, and more! From stylish apparel and fun office supplies to cozy home decor and collectible toys, the brand offers a delightful range of products that bring an abundance of joy. Check out all of their products on Line Friends Square. Tofunemu Tofunemu is a California-based brand that creates anime-inspired products perfect for taking around on your adventures! Their product line includes enamel pins, prints, charms, and stickers to add to your ever-growing out all of their products on Tofunemu. Poopy Loop Poopy Loop is an Armenian-owned pet brand known for its adorable, lightweight rubber waste bag carriers. Designed for convenience, these carriers let you easily stash used waste bags, so you don't have to carry them by hand on long out all of their products on Woof and Wonder. Smell House Smell House is a hand-poured candle brand that focuses on memory-inducing smells for around your home. Each of their scents is available in a big candle, a small candle, and an air freshener. Check out all of their products on Smell House. By The Table By The Table designs modular cookware sets featuring fry pans with detachable handles for effortless storage and maximum versatility. With magnetic lid knobs and sleek, stackable designs, their pieces seamlessly transition from stovetop to tabletop, combining function with out all of their products on By The Table. Noon & Moon Noon & Moon crafts unique glassware and tableware designed to make every meal an exceptional experience. Their vases double as stunning centerpieces or standalone art pieces that effortlessly brighten any out all of their products on Noon & Moon. Just Black Denim Just Black Denim is a Korean-owned, California-based brand built on the pillars of consistency and enduring quality. Every pair of jeans is thoughtfully crafted locally in Los Angeles, combining timeless style with lasting out all of their products on Just Black Denim. Dr. Motion Dr. Motion is a compression sock brand dedicated to helping you step into everyday wellness, without sacrificing style. With a wide range of heights, fabrics, and designs, they offer the perfect fit for every lifestyle and out all of their products on Dr. Motion. Mualcaina Mualcaina is a Filipina-owned shop that creates Ita bags to help you showcase your favorite pins and is now launching cute embroidered crewnecks! The shop also creates adorable stickers, enamel pins, magnets, lanyards, phone accessories, and out all of their products on Mualcaina. Casetify Casetify crafts device cases that are as protective as they are stylish. With a wide range of designs to reflect your personality and handy accessories to simplify your daily life, Casetify seamlessly combines function and flair. In addition to phone cases, the brand also has phone charms, AirPod cases, and more! Check out their products on Casetify. Kulfi Beauty Kulfi Beauty offers a meticulously curated line of high-quality makeup products tailored to a wide spectrum of skin tones and preferences. Among their stellar offerings, Kulfi Beauty takes pride in their award-winning eyeliner, a testament to the brand's unwavering dedication to quality and out all of their products at Kulfi Beauty. Hamkke Home Founded by an AAPI woman, Hamkke is rooted in celebrating what modern households look like today; a vibrant mix of cultures, traditions, and community. Hamkke embraces the spirit of sharing diverse foods and traditions, with connection at the heart of every out all of their products at Hamkke Home. ESW Beauty ESW Beauty specializes in sustainably made beauty products formulated with non-toxic ingredients and vegan and cruelty-free formulations inspired by the foods and beverages that have supported Founder Elina Wang on her wellness journey. The brand created the first-ever compostable sheet masks, featuring formulas enriched with beneficial ingredients. Check out all of their products on ESW Beauty. Hauter Hauter Water creates cute hydration backpacks for festivals, hikes, and more! The Hauter Water Bag seamlessly blends style with practicality, allowing you to wear it on all your adventures while matching your aesthetic. It's also got a lot of hidden pockets to keep your belongings safe and sound! Check out all of their products on Hauter. Short Story Short Story creates subscription boxes with women's clothing exclusively for shorter folks. They also bring more sustainability to the fashion community by seeing if people would like it first and ensuring that customers enjoy the product before making it part of their regular assortment. If customers do not want certain clothes, Short Story lets them mail those back with a prepaid shipping label, and only pay for the stuff they out more about the brand on Short Story. Superegg Superegg is a wellness-based premium vegan skincare brand founded by licensed esthetician Erica Choi that is inspired by Korean beauty philosophy and the egg's nutritional values for the skin. Each of the brand's mindfully developed plant-based products is driven by efficacy and experience to restore and balance the skin to a smooth, radiant complexion and to bring daily comfort to self-care rituals. This May, the brand will launch their Pure Transparency Treatment Essence, which taps into the potency of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, a renowned ingredient from yeast ferment deeply embedded in Asian out all of their products on Superegg. Rael Beauty Rael is a Korean-owned brand that designs safe and effective skincare, including products for acne care and body care, that are made thoughtfully with your body in mind. The brand also creates period care products that support you during all phases of your cycle. Check out all of their products on Rael Beauty. Squigs Squigs is an award-winning brand that creates traditional Indian hair oiling and DIY rituals inspired by founder Nikita Charuza's South Asian heritage. The brand aspires to uplift and energize individuals through its mission of Happy Headcare, its comprehensive approach to skin and scalp care, with a product range that reflects the importance of both aspects of head out all of their products on Squigs. Le Mini Macaron Le Mini Macaron was born to provide a simple, affordable solution for at-home gel manicures, so people can do their nails conveniently without overspending. The brand aspires to boost self-confidence by fostering creativity, self-expression, and community out all of their products at Le Mini Macaron. DreamCreamCo. Dream Cream Co. is a California-based shop that creates cute and functional gifts from stickers, to festival fans, to blankets, inspired by your favorite characters and out all of their products on DreamCreamCo. Amaaya Jewelry Amaaya Jewelry is a first-generation Indian-owned and Chicago-based jewelry brand created to offer unique designs that will make you stand out in the crowd and add variety to your closet at an affordable price. The brand's creator believes, "you're one of a kind and the jewelry you wear should be too."Check out all of their products at Amaaya Jewelry. Baisun Candle Co. Baisun Candle Co. is a Chinese-owned, Delaware-based business that creates handcrafted artisanal soy candles and strives to perfect their blends to replicate specific notes that resemble fragrances and aromas that many Asian Americans grew up surrounded with. Check out all of their products on Baisun Candle Co. Apricotton Apricotton is a Chinese-owned teen bra startup created to design bras that grow as first-time bra wearers grow. The founder hopes to normalize unique breast development with these bras to help prevent eventually overbuying larger out all of their products on Apricotton. Joeydolls Joeydolls launched a collection of diverse Asian dolls designed to celebrate unique Asian cultures, promote confidence in heritage, and inspire children to appreciate out all of their products on Joeydolls. House of M Beauty House of M Beauty, a Vietnamese-owned skincare brand, offers luxurious, high-quality products infused with saffron. Founder Anne Oliver's research led to a curated range designed to nourish, protect, and brighten skin. With a focus on saffron's potent properties, the brand aims to help customers achieve radiant, youthful-looking out all of their products on House Of M Beauty. Tinted Heritage Tinted Heritage creates personalized handmade gifts with a South Asian touch, blending tradition with modern aesthetics. The brand believes that home decor reflects one's identity and aim to provide a curated selection that adds beauty and connects to cultural roots. Check out all of their products at Tinted Heritage. AMYO AMYO is a Korean-American-owned jewelry line based in New York that offers minimalist pieces meant to last at affordable prices. Founder Gina Nam aims to combat industry waste with rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets crafted from vermeil, 14-karat gold, and sterling out all of their products on AMYO. KimChi Chic Beauty KimChi Chic Beauty is a Korean-owned makeup brand created by founder and drag queen Kim Chi, who discovered her passion for drag at 25. This experience led her to realize that drag was the medium to combine her love and knowledge of art, painting, fashion, and photography into out all of their products on KimChi Chic Beauty. Musubi Kiln Musubi Kiln is a store specializing in traditional Japanese tableware. Their mission is to introduce beautiful craft tableware carefully selected from all over Japan to an international audience and to help preserve these techniques for future generations. This pair of chopstick rests are shaped like origami cranes, symbolizing longevity in Japan. They can also serve as table ornaments for special occasions. Packaged in a stylish box, they make a thoughtful gift, wishing longevity and happiness to the out all of their products on Musubi Kiln. Alterre Alterre focuses on creating beautiful, modular women's shoes for busy people with the added bonus of interchangeable straps and the option to design your own shoe. Cofounders Harmony Pilobello and Shilpa Iyengar source various materials, including recycled plastic, recycled denim, traceable leather, chrome-free leather, and deadstock fabric, which have a lower environmental impact whenever possible, when creating out all of their products on Alterre. Sunny Tails Vania, the founder of Sunny Tails, was inspired to start her own business after becoming a devoted dog parent during the pandemic and discovering the supportive and encouraging dog community. She combined her passion for fashion and design with her love for dogs to create timeless and functional accessories for out all of their products at Sunny Tails. Check out more AAPI-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Of course, the content doesn't end after May. Follow BuzzFeed's A*Pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest AAPI content year-round.
Buzz Feed
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
40 Beauty Products From Asian-Owned Brands With Results That'll Convince You Magic Is Real
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. If you haven't completely dived into the magic that is Korean skincare, you are 1000000% missing out on some glass skin sorcery. 1. Medicube's "Zero Pore" Pads for a good ol' lactic and salicylic acid pore refining exfoliation. These dual-textured toner pads will take the excess sebum oil in your face and basically kick its butt like Hulk did to Loki in the first Avengers movie. Give it up for this K-beauty MVP. 👏 Medicube is a Korean-owned skincare brand. Promising review:"I kept seeing this product on social media and finally decided to give it a try. I use this twice daily, and it's been a couple of weeks, and I definitely noticed my pores have shrunk. I even apply it to my neck and chest area. The product is soothing, gentle on my skin (I have extremely sensitive skin), and has no strong smell. The cottons are soft and did not cause any breakouts! It's great for the value, and I'll definitely be repurchasing these." — Ee El Get a pack of 70 from Amazon for $18.90 (available in four other styles and a 100-pack). 2. A drop-dead gorgeous pearl highlighter that'll give you a glow only pixie dust could deliver. I mean, come onnnn, Tinkerbell def crafted this baby up. You'll sparkle so much you'll look like that one troll in the Trolls movie. KimChi Chic Beauty is a queer- and Korean-owned biz founded by Kim Chi! Get it from KimChi Chic Beauty for $25 (available in two colors). 3. A Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen with SPF 35 cuz the sun is making its way back, which is absolutely wonderful *but* you always forget you burn quicker than gas. If you want a sunscreen that blends effortlessly, helps blur your pores (thanks to Japanese wild rose), and feels weightless, this is gonna be your summer holy grail. Tatcha is a Taiwanese-American-owned biz founded by Vicky Tsai that specializes in Japanese beauty rituals. Promising review:"My go-to sunscreen! I've tried many sunscreens in an effort to wear sunscreen every day. With oily skin already, most leave me feeling greasy, but Tatcha is incredible. It goes on matte, leaving your skin with a really nice finish. It's light as a feather, and I recommend it to all of my friends. Sunscreen is no joke — you need it to protect your skin, and it's worth it to spend money on a product that you will keep coming back to. 5/5 stars!" — Jon Get it from Amazon for $70. 4. A mattifying, waterproof On Til' Dawn One/Size setting spray that Beyoncé used at her Renaissance concert in the pouring rain at her DC show. And Queen B's face was still beat 👏 to 👏 the 👏 GODS 👏 through the downpour. Yeah, this stuff has witchcraft in it for sure, sign me up. One/Size is a queer- and Filipino-owned business founded by makeup expert Patrick Starr to ensure that makeup is really one size fits all, as it should be. Patrick Starr is a witch, there's no convincing me otherwise. I did my makeup one morning, set my face with this, and had a full on day — ran errands, went to Trader Joe's, went to a bar, then a restaurant, sweat, and I kid you not, every time I looked in the mirror my face was M👏 A👏 T👏 T👏 E. When I got home that night, my face had not moved at all, and there was literally no oil to be found on my face. I have expensive setting sprays I love, but by the end of the night, I usually have a bit of shine on my face, which seems like no big deal, but as an oily girly, I hate that. But this stuff is a magical holy grail, no shine formed against me shall prosper. I see why Beyoncé uses this. I kept hearing the hype around this, but it is a bit pricey, so I kept putting off buying it. This is worth every bit of hype and every single penny. And I'm frugal! I will find a nice, affordable alternative and run with it forever because some big name-brand products do not work for me, and I hate spending a lot of $$ for 💩 results. If I recommend any name-brand product, it'd be this. I love this stuff and I will forever eat that price and buy this now. Big fan. Get it from Sephora for $17+ (available in two sizes and finishes). 5. A dark-spot correcting serum ~infused~ with niacinamide and vegan squalene to brighten your skin and leave it radiant and super moisturized. Just when you thought you'd need to crack open a spell book to achieve such magical results, this bad boy falls into your lap. *Thank you, skincare Gods*. Axis-Y is a Korean skincare biz founded by Maggie Yue. Promising review:" I swear by this serum, it made my dark spots disappear, and I've been using this on and off for about four months…because I'm not consistent with my skincare lol. These photos are only about a month dark spot on my cheek completely disappeared. I don't have photos from when I first began using it but there's a huge improvement!" — Minah Get it from Amazon for $19.15. 6. A K-Beauty black rice exfoliator that's currently all over TikTok cuz it literally lifts dead skin and removes sebum like magic. Goodbye blackheads and whiteheads, helloooo smooth, radiant skin. 7. A Beauty of Joseon rice milk toner to help create a rice-derived barrier that'll protect you from bacteria, dryness, and UV rays. Plus, it'll keep your pores in check to ensure they aren't out here trying to produce excessive amounts of sebum and oil. Beauty of Joseon is a Korean skincare brand founded by Sumin Lee. Promising reviews:"When I tell you this revolutionized my skincare routine? I have not seen my skin so clear in a decade? This company's glow serum was already working wonders (I have been using it for a couple of years now), but in conjunction with this toner??? Unreal. Highly recommend." — Megan Schultz " I don't know what kind of magical ingredients are in here, but I've only been using it for three days and my skin looks amazing. Specifically my chest, it looks like I have a beauty filter on, I swear! Affordable and luxurious looking bottle. I can't wait to try more products from this brand." — Quentin Get it from Amazon for $18. 8. A Patrick Ta body glow balm that'll have people thinking you're lying about being human cuz with a glow like that, you gotta be a mystical magical fairy orrrr a Cullen. Just imagine how AMAZING you'll look this summer when the sun kisses your collar bone and you begin to shine like that crab in Moana. Beach trips, rooftop lunches, THE IG PICS?! Yep, a summer must-have. It also comes with a handy lil' brush for easy application. Check it out on TikTok! Plus, it's from a Vietnamese-American-owned biz! Promising review: " TikTok has influenced me to purchase a lot, and this has to be one of my absolute favorites!! It's a beautiful, glossy glow and not greasy at all! I like applying a Beauty Blender to the face and a brush for the body. If this is in your cart, do yourself a favor and buy it now!!" — GalacticSam Get it from Sephora for $50 (available in two shades). 9. A hydrating eye stick to help reduce dark circles, lines, and puffiness while delivering moisture without oils. Sensitive skin friends, this one's for us. People may start to think your goldfish are Cosmo and Wanda because these results are jaw dropping. It's from a Korean-owned biz! Promising review:"I HAD to write a review. I use this in the morning and night after my whole face routine and putting on moisturizer. I don't have dark bags. However, my under-eyes get a bit puffy, and I noticed fine lines. DUDE, those fine lines are fading. Last night, I went to a party and woke up looking like the crypt keeper. This stuff normalized my creepy zombie eyes in about 20 minutes. Do yourself a favor and buy it." — Jasmine Deatherage Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in three styles and multipacks). 10. An Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil perfect for all skin types and will effectively get rid of makeup residue, blackheads, and excess sebum while also helping prevent your pores from clogging up. In fact, it's so effective, some reviewers say you can actually see the gunk and oil leave your face. You'll be kinda grossed out by the ick seeping out of your pores while also being totally in love with the results and shooketh by the way it literally did a magic trick on your face. Blackheads, be gone! Oh! Anddd reviewers say they use this as a step in their double cleansing routine. What the heck is that, you may ask? Well, double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice — first with an oil-based cleanser, and then again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the gross stuff out of your pores. Anua is a Korean skincare brand. Promising reviews:"This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser, and I'm so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for 2–3 minutes, I could visibly see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin, however, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby's bottom, and my scarring doesn't look as deep! The cleanser has a light, clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera" — Myshel Cagle "I can't live without this cleansing oil, it's magic in a bottle. This is the only thing that's been able to clear the sebaceous filaments on my nose after consistent use daily!! It also helps the milia/filaments under my eyes, too! LOVE IIIIITT, WHO LET ME LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT DOUBLE CLEANSING AT NIGHT?" — Sarah Coleman Get it from Amazon for $14.15. 11. A Glow Recipe serum blush, *or* flush that works as a skincare product and a dewy cheek tint. It can help brighten dark spots, plump your cheeks, and hydrate all while providing you the perfect, buildable, natural flush that'll seamlessly melt into your skin. Sephora Glow Recipe is a Korean-owned beauty brand. Promising review:" This is perfect for the beach, summer, no makeup, light makeup, and full glam. It adds glow to the cheeks and lasts ALL DAY. Finally, it is impossible to mess up because it is blendable and user-friendly. PS: if you have blush blindness, this is for you." — catlover229 Get it from Sephora for $25 (available in two shades). 12. A bottle of I'm From goami rice toner to help balance out the levels of oil and water in your skin and soothe flaky skin cells. The sirtuin from rice helps protect your skin from damage caused by the sun and the double-layer texture will give you some serious luster, moisture, and nourishment. This toner is vegan and cruelty-free, and it's from a Korean skincare brand! Promising review: "I am in love with this rice toner. It might be one of the best toners I've ever tried. I feel like it made my pimples disappear and made my acne scars lighten. This might also be one of the best Korean products I've ever tried. It doesn't have a weird scent, and it looks a little bit like milk. I feel so refreshed after I use this toner, and it makes my skin so shiny and plump. I feel very moisturized after using it. Anyone thinking of using a toner should try this one." — Kayra Get it from Amazon for $23.50+ (available in two sizes and styles). 13. A Cosrx snail mucin serum that'll help improve skin hydration and soothe damaged skin. Yep, snail mucin is a Korean skincare product made from snail slime. Sounds ick but your skin will totally fall in love the second you use it. Hmm, wonder if this is why SpongeBob had Gary the pet snail — skincare benefits. *All Cosrx products are dermatologist-tested, cruelty free, and have no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. Corsx is also a Korean skincare brand. Promising review: "I heard about this brand from TikTok and I decided to give it a try. I naturally have combination skin, but my skin tends to get stripped easily and dry throughout the day. I've tried the hyaluronic acid serum from The Ordinary, and I don't have any complaints about it, but this Cosrx was by far so much better for me. I have really sensitive skin, so adding new products to my routine scares me. I had no problems incorporating this stuff into my skincare, and I didn't get any bad reactions or breakouts from it at all. The texture is definitely slimy (but in a good way) and makes your skin feel so smooth and so glowy! After about two months of using it, my skin has much more of a glow to it and is less dry. It has already made my skin feel less tight than normal!! — Ana Get it from Amazon for $16.98 (available in a two-pack). 14. Plus a Cosrx Snail Mucin 92% Moisturizer, which will lock in moisture to help plump and hydrate. To use as intended, apply the moisturizer after the snail repairing essence has dried on your face in your skincare routine. Check out a TikTok of the snail mucin moisturizer in action. Promising review:"If you're like me and have oily/combo skin that is also sensitive and prone to acne, this is an excellent product worth its price. Very little goes a long way since the slimy texture glides right over the skin. It does not leave any sticky residue; on the contrary, it is absorbed into the skin very quickly. It also keeps the skin moisturized but does not trap oil, in fact, I find my skin to be less oily after a few days of using it!" — Madeline Get it from Amazon for $20.46. 15. A four-pack of bio-collagen overnight masks that'll work like a magic spell to deliver you tighter pores, tons of skin elasticity, improved skin texture and tone, and *loads* of hydration. I promise you don't have to recite any incantations, simply put it on at night and wake up with glowy, radiant skin. Biodance is a Korean-owned skincare brand. Promising review:" Overnight glow-up! I recently tried the BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask, and it's a treat for my skin! This hydrating overnight hydrogel mask leaves my face feeling refreshed and elastic by morning. While it minimizes pores, the real magic is in the deep hydration it provides. It's a perfect addition to my nighttime routine. Highly recommend for a glowing complexion!" — Marisa Get a four-pack from Amazon for $19 (available in three styles and a 16-pack). 16. A ~summer-y~ sheer gel polish so you can welcome the warm weather with open arms and a fresh mani. Your nails will look like those jelly shoes from the '90s, so cute. BTW, this is an Asian- and woman-owned biz that's behind the latest nail trend, Gel-X! Promising review: "Very versatile color. You can wear it sheer or opaque. Either way it's one of the most gorgeous colors I've seen yet! Would highly recommend." — bcallo Get it from Aprés Nail for $14.99. 17. Or a Kuromi gel polish by Aprés that comes with a magnet to create a cat eye finish. Just paint, wave your magical magnetic wand over it, cure it in an LED lamp, and *voila*, you've got a flawless at-home manicure. And I mean, the little Kuromi cap accessory is just darling, innit? Aprés Nail You can also get the entire set of five polishes for $89.99. And check out the rest of the Hello Kitty and Friends collection, they've got other types of sets, and every polish is sold individually! Get it from Aprés Nail for $17.99. 18. A two-pack of SK-ll facial treatment masks that are drenched, and I mean DRENCHED, with their serum for some exceptional hydration and instant moisture. Kiss dry, red, dull skin goodbye and say hello to the radiant skin of your dreams. Sephora They're also from a Korean-owned beauty brand! Promising review: "Worth it! I used my first mask from a sample and immediately purchased a box of 10. Very hydrating and nourishes the skin. I was surprised that this mask has given me better skin than after some facials. Does not 'pill' for those of you who want to use it before a special night, but I would recommend letting it settle in for a couple of hours to absorb all the goodness before putting makeup on. My skin can be temperamental to new products and prone to redness and breakouts, and I can honestly say that my skin loves this and has not been happier. I use it once a week with the daily skin essence." — Summers76 Get a two-pack from Sephora for $30 (also available in a 6-pack or 10-pack) 19. A deep conditioning hair mask with rice protein and biotin in it so you can have pillowy, soft, moisturized, luscious locks. It's perfect for color-treated hair, damaged strands, split ends, and frizz, and will help make your hair exxxxtra strong. Sephora Read more about how biotin could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Aavrani is an Indian-owned brand founded by Rooshy Roy! Promising review: " After the first use, I could see a difference; my hair was softer, smoother, and had little frizz. The price is excellent for the amount of product you get. I plan on using this two times a week. I will definitely buy it again!!" — Wendywo Get it from Sephora for $39. 20. A pack of 36 acne patches that'll have you shook when you wake up in the morning. These patches absorb all the gunk and speed up the pimple-healing process without picking or popping. Abracadabra, psh, what pimple? Hero Cosmetics is a South Korean-owned biz! Promising review:"These patches are fantastic! Prevents you from touching your pimple but also visibly reduces size and redness overnight. Can't live without them. I also sometimes wear them while running errands. They are pretty clear."— Alyssa Byrne Get a 36-pack from Amazon for $12.99 (available in other multipacks). 21. A loose setting powder so you can get the most ~flawless~ beat of your life. It's crafted with vitamin E and oil-absorbing rice powder to help stop any grease from attempting to ruin your perfect makeup look. Looks like some witch got tired of their oily skin and conjured up this lil' potion. You'll also get a velour puff! Promising review: "My skin is on the oilier side and this product saved my life, especially on camera. It is flawless, reduces shine, and doesn't make you look splotchy. It goes on flawlessly on top of my other products and feels so light. 100000/10. I've used so many powders, and this product makes your skin look airbrushed in real life." — Marissa Pizzuto Get it from Amazon for $19+ (available in seven shades and a multipack). 22. An Elizavecca carbonated clay mask that bubbles up until you look like Raven did when she had that allergic reaction on That's So Raven. But not only is it fun and a good laugh, it also helps clear your pores and get rid of those super irritating blackheads. Elizavecca is a Korean beauty brand! Promising review:"I've been buying this mask for a little over a year now and can verify that it is totally worth the hype. I have relatively dry skin, but while I never had acne when I was younger, I quit hormonal birth control a few years ago and since then have started breaking out shortly after ovulation. I tried many more expensive masks, but I also have very sensitive skin, and previous products either left me itchy and irritated or had no effect. This mask has completely cured all of my skin problems. If I remember to put it on the night I think I've ovulated, I have zero zits, and if I forget and some start to show up, I do the mask, and the zits have significantly retreated by the next morning. I only need to use it a few times a month, so it takes me several months to go through a jar. I would pay four times more for this product if I had to!" — carof Check out our full review of Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask. 23. An eye primer to help lock down your eye makeup and have it lasting longer than the Energizer Bunny. This base will have your shadow looking as bold, pigmented, and vibrant as ever while putting your more expensive eye primer to shame. Someone roll out the red carpet or, I mean, carry one with you to roll out yourself cuz you're gonna look ✨flawless. ✨ Elizabeth Mott is a Korean American woman-owned biz! Promising review:"So let me start by saying, I have used nearly every eyeshadow primer available. From high-end to low — Mac, Lorac, Urban don't hold a candle to Thank Me Later. I have very oily skin. I use this primer, and my shadow lasts a full eight hours or more. I could get maybe five or six out of the other brands, if I'm lucky. I got this as a sample in my Ipsy bag, and I had to buy the full-size product straight away! I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Thank you, Elizabeth Mott, for finally making a primer that lasts! I love this stuff!" — Melissa Mae Get it from Amazon for $11.99. 24. And an Elizabeth Mott face primer — a K-beauty pore-minimizing miracle to help control your oily skin and keep you shine-free. Lock in your look with this bad boy and avoid having your makeup move and shift around. And later, at the end of your day, when you see how good your makeup *still* looks, you'll seriously be thanking this stuff. Promising review: "I wore this primer under my foundation (Nars and Maybelline Fit Me) along with setting spray (Nyx) in this photo [above right]. I had been dunked in the pool two times and went down a giant slide that caused you to go underwater three times. This was the result of my makeup! Love this product. A little goes a long way!" — Ryan Brooks Get it from Amazon for $12.78 (available in six styles and bundles). 25. A dewy blush and lip balm bar to give you that natural, flushed, princess who was poisoned by her stepmother, glow-y look. It's packed with green tangerine extract (which I needed to look up cuz I've never even heard of a green freakin' tangerine), apple extract, and ~VIT-HA~ (a blend of hyaluronic acid and vitamin C) to give you moisturized, bright skin and a stronger moisture barrier. Kaja is a Korean beauty brand! Promising review: "Love this product. Gives the perfect sunburned look for spring and summer. Pigmented and buildable, goes on creamy, and leaves a dewy finish." — jstro81 Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in six shades) or Sephora for $25 (available in four shades). 26. Mixsoon Bean Essence that helps regulate sebum production without causing irritation. Your dry skin will thank you, because this thiccccc bb that contains natural ingredients is gonna help ensure some optimal hydration and superior moisture. Supple, firm skin — what a dream come true. It's from a Korean-owned brand! Promising reviews: "Just *chefs kiss*. I have textured/damaged skin due to acne and this product worked instantly for me. This left my face feeling sooo soft and smooth, I have never experienced this type of results from any product that I've used. I highly recommend this!!!" — Carla "Wait, so three things. One, I never write reviews on Amazon. Two, I didn't realize how much I needed this until I gave it a try. Three, just use this for a week, and you'll find yourself skipping visits to both your dermatologist and the spa. There's something magical in this bottle — I'm convinced there's a genie in this bottle." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $25. 27. Tatcha's Dewy Skin moisturizer to help replenish and plump dry skin. Packed with Japanese purple rice (aka anthocyanin), this stuff will have you looking like a beautifully glazed Krispy Kreme donut. Okay, maybe not *thaaaaat* shiny, but this'll seriously leave your skin hydrated and ✨glowy,✨ that's for damn sure! Promising review: "I'm a bit of a long time skincare collector, so I'm a tough critic. I am 46-years-old with sensitive skin which can be prone to acne and redness. This product is magic and is quickly becoming my holy grail. It provides intense soothing and moisturizing with a beautiful dewy look. I cannot say enough about this. My only gripe is I wish it came in a pump as not to have to scoop the cream out." — momoutwest 🌲 Get it from Amazon for $72. 28. A TikTok-viral Medicube facial device that creates ~electro-passageways~ that'll allow your skincare products to reaaaaally absorb for maximum effectiveness. Uhm, game changer much? Amazon Promising review: "I've never used any kind of device like this before, but decided to give it a try. I put a lot of effort and money into my skincare regimen, and this device is making sure all those expensive ingredients get absorbed deep into my skin. It's easy to use and works with your current skincare products. It only tingles a tiny bit once you start to use levels 4 and 5, but you quickly get used to it. I've had it for over a month now and still haven't needed to recharge it. After a five-minute session with this device, my skin is so soft and hydrated, and stays that way for hours. Plus, the sessions I do before bed keep me super hydrated through the whole night. I wake up with soft, plump, hydrated, glowing skin. It's been the best investment I've ever made for my skin, hands down. You won't be disappointed." — Serina Jones Get it from Amazon for $111. 29. A Krave Beauty matcha hemp cleanser — a ~bouncy~ gel formula that'll help lift away dirt, makeup, and sunscreen without giving you that dreadful, dry, tight feeling afterwards. It contains coconut-based surfactants, nourishing matcha, and hemp seed oil that'll help restore your skin's hydration and antioxidants and give you a deep cleanse with an ever-so-silky lather. Krave Beauty Krave Beauty is a Korean woman-owned small biz that aims to make skincare easy and stress-free. Promising review:"I struggled with oily, acne-prone skin and a damaged barrier since I was a teenager. But I've been loyal to this cleanser and the oat moisturizer since they came out and y' took some time, but my skin is finally, FINALLY, in the place I always wanted it to be. It has the perfect texture, amount of lather, and after-feel of any cleanser I've ever tried. Do your skin a favor and try this." — Monisa A. Get it from Krave Beauty for $5+ (available in two sizes) or Amazon for $16 (available in a two-pack). 30. A Nooni tinted appleberry lip oil that's not too thick and not too sticky — it's just right, like Goldilocks and Baby Bear's porridge, chair, and bed. Plus it'll give you a cute, subtle pop of color and nourish your dry, flaky lips. This lip oil is vegan, cruelty-free, and has no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. It also comes from a Korean-owned brand! Promising review: "This is the first lip oil I've ever used. Usually, I avoid anything with oil because I have very sensitive and generally oilier skin, but I wanted to give this a try because I wanted something sheer and pretty for a natural makeup look. Probably the best purchase I've ever made!!! It's super sheer and looks fine on its own without any other makeup. The smell is delicious, and while the gloss dries and fades after about an hour or two without eating, the color stays all day! I did have to reapply after eating, but not after drinking water! I just wish it were bigger, it's a teeny bottle. Would definitely buy again!!" — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $12 (available in 17 shades and multipacks). 31. A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment, which contains ceramides and collagen that'll give your hair shine and make it smooth in just five minutes, no spell required! You'll look flawless even if you don't have much time or don't feel like doing your hair. Promising reviews:"Not gonna lie, I was skeptical that this could help me. A few months ago, I decided I could bleach my hair. I burnt it to such a crisp that I've literally been wearing it up under a cap. That worked when it was winter, but now it's warm, so I needed a solution. I saw this product highly recommended on other sites, and the reviews were good, so I ordered a tube. Used it twice now and OH. MY. LANTA. For months, my hair has felt like crunchy noodles ready to snap at a moment's notice. After one treatment (left in about 15 minutes after shampoo, before conditioner), my ends feel soft!! After the second time washing with it, it actually moves like it's not damaged, and it is visibly SO much healthier. Like seriously, idk how they bottled witchcraft, but I'm going to continue to use this product even when my hair grows out. An absolute magical miracle potion! I seriously prepared myself to explain to the world that it doesn't work. But instead, I have the healthiest hair I've had since being a home hairdresser. 10/10 for less than $10. Picture from left to right (blonde above): my hair before using this, my hair after first treatment, my hair after second treatment." — Liz Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets! Get it from Amazon for $7.60. 32. A lightweight, suuuper gentle Cosrx mild gel cleanser that'll help remove skin impurities while simultaneously strengthening the protective barrier. Your skin has *slightly* acidic natural pH levels that this low pH cleanser will balance out better than peanut butter balances out jelly. A match made in heaven: this stuff and your gorgeous skin. Promising review:"I've been using this for 19 days now, twice daily. I really love that my skin isn't dry or tight after cleansing and it doesn't burn any open acne sores either! I do believe it has helped balance my skin as I have had constant acne for eight years now! My breakouts have lessened and the ones I had when I started using this have been slowly healing and fading. I've been using this along with the Some By Mi toner and that has really made the difference! I wish I would've known about Korean skincare products earlier! Highly recommend this for any acne sufferers!" — TootTootMcBumberSnazzle Get it from Amazon for $11.90. 33. A Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced vitamin mask with a pudding-like texture that'll work its magic on your skin better than Dr. Facilier. It claims it'll make your face feel all ~moisturized~ for eight hours and its amazing blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide will serve you up some firm, illuminated skin. Amazon Psttt! It's from a Korean-owned brand! Promising review:"Freakin' love this stuff. Makes my skin feel bouncy and hydrated. It feels like a beautiful drink of sunny morning water for the face. LOVE the smell of this stuff, it's a very bright citrusy scent I can't describe fully that just smells like you are happy to be alive lol. Oh, AND I looked up the ingredients of this stuff on the EWG website, and it had pretty good safety ratings! After using this consecutively for a couple of weeks, I've noticed a significant brightening effect and anti-acne effect! I think this is due to the active ingredients being for skin barrier health, so the skin is less likely to break out. And the evening of my skin tone is just an added benefit!" — CatLover222 Get it from Amazon for $21.66. 34. A Peach & Lily water gel moisturizer that is called "Glass Skin" for a reason. This stuff will have you looking like a glazed donut in the best way by using a little magic and hyaluronic acid with vegan prebiotics and probiotics to give you a weightless finish and all the hydration your thirsty skin desires. Peach & Lily Peach & Lily is a woman- and Asian-owned biz that specializes in cruelty-free, spa-quality K-beauty skincare. Promising review: "Love this moisturizer so much! It's definitely a holy grail in my routine now. It's so cooling and refreshing and leaves my skin feeling so hydrated, soft, and smooth without any greasy, heavy feeling or sticky residue. Great for the oily skin and acne-prone folks!" — Chloe W. Get it from Ulta or Peach & Lilly for $43 or from Amazon for $41. 35. Phytosurgence Toasted Blushes, aka the most gorgeous, earthy, unique shades your makeup routine will ever meet. They look good on literally everyone so you *may* wanna drop this in the group chat so the whole squad can enjoy these gems. Phytosurgence These literally stunning shades are described as lavender oat latte, brown sugar milk tea, fortified wine, and spiced chocolate bar. Check it out on TikTok here. Phytosurgence is a queer- and Asian-owned, Canada-based small biz. HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian says: "I stumbled upon Phytosurgence one day and I have never looked back. All of their products are meticulously formulated with natural ingredients and rich, unique shades that you won't be able to find anywhere else — trust me, I've looked lol. My sensitive skin loves these blushes and the blush geek in me (or fully embodying me) is SCREAMING. My personal favorite is Condensate, a cool-toned muted dusty rose, but Evaporate, a neutral smoky peach, is a crowd favorite of the bunch. Plus, they're so affordable for such high-quality. A million chef's kisses." Get it from Phytosurgence for $15.18 (C$21; available in four shades). 36. A pack of Skin1004 zombie masks that could seriously get you cast in American Horror Story — the Coven season, of course, cuz it's the *supreme* (shoutout to Fiona Goode). They'll help reduce fine lines and the appearance of pores by gently removing dead skin cells and delivering hydration. Fifteen minutes of looking like a horror film extra, and then your skin will have you looking 15 again. After mixing the powder and activator, just apply the mask on your face, and you'll start to feel it working instantly! And they're from a Korean-owned beauty brand! Promising review:"After years of trying different products on my sensitive, acne-prone, red, rough skin, I saw this mask and all of the positive reviews and thought 'what the hell, I'll give it a go.' Even after the first application, I was really impressed with the results. My rough skin is smoother, I have no additional breakouts, and when I do wear makeup, it actually blends into my skin. It also helps the deep wrinkles on my neck. I even got a compliment on my skin the other day — this NEVER happens. I use the mask twice per week. I'm on month two, and I recommend it to anyone with problems with their skin. My only caution is that it smells kind of funky (who cares), and it's a little hard to remove. I only apply the mask when I'm going to shower and wash my hair. It's zombie life for me here on out!" — Charlie B Get a box of eight masks from Amazon for $19.70 (available in other multipacks). 37. A color corrector — a 4-in-1 eye, lip, and cheek multistick that'll neutralize dark spots and circles in case you've felt like NOTHING will cover your tired under eyes lately. Put this over any areas with hyperpigmentation, then put your foundation or concealer over the top, and boom: tired under-eyes will be gone in a flash. Ulta Live Tinted is a South Asian woman-owned small biz that specializes in clean, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products for all skin tones. If color correcting is new to you and you aren't quite sure which shade to use, don't worry! You can get shade matched on the Live Tinted site! Promising review:"I can't believe I've lived without this product for so long! This is SOOOO much better than the concealers I've used in the past because it really covers up my dark circles. This product is a staple in my makeup routine! Can't live without this!" — Undisclosed Get it from Amazon (available in five shades) or Ulta (available in four shades) for $26. 38. A TikTok-viral all-in-one beauty balm that's a lip balm, eye cream, neck cream, makeup base, annnnd *somehow* is a face mist (my guess, Harry Potter's been up to something). The effects will have your skin looking spellbindingly radiant, vibrant, moisturized, and ~lifted~ because Harry threw some collagen and natural Jeju fermented oil in this exquisite little potion. Thanks Potter! Check out the balm in action here. Plus, it's from a Korean-owned beauty brand! Promising review: "I recommend this for dry skin rather than oily skin. When I applied it, it felt similar to applying Vaseline. However, it's not greasy or sticky. I have dry skin, and my skin absorbs the multi balm quickly. It spreads well, and the area where it was applied became soft. I recommend applying it to the U-zone rather than the T-zone of the face. I mainly apply around the eyes, mouth (nasolabial folds), and neck wrinkles! In particular, immediately upon application, it had the effect of slightly tightening the skin, adding radiance, and reducing wrinkles (especially around the mouth). I think it definitely helps moisturize when I apply it after skincare, before makeup, and before going to bed." — Ah Kim Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven styles). 39. I Dew Care's dry shampoo powder so you can say so long to oily, greasy strands while also adding volume and making your hair look fuller. Now you can go another day without needing to wash, and your hair will still feel oh-so clean. I Dew Care is a Korean-owned biz. Promising reviews: "I almost want to gatekeep. By far THE best dry shampoo I've ever used — not sure how this sorcery works, but I'm obsessed!" — Robertson "I originally bought this for a month-long trip to Australia (that began with five days of camping without much time to stop by a store). I wanted something small and non-aerosol (because, travel), and hate applying powder by hand, and didn't want to bring an application brush. The application sponge is great, and the powder itself is also magic. I was a DAILY hair washer most of my teenage and adult life, but now I can go an entire WEEK with this stuff (and other mindful habits like night braids). I really love it."— Bre Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in nine colors and multipacks). 40. A Tower 28 daily facial spray that'll help balance skin pH and help minimize irritation, redness, and flare-ups. Formulated to mimic the makeup of our bodies, this bad boy delivers ✨hypochlorous acid✨ (no, it's not a spell for incredible skin), which is found naturally in white blood cells. Sephora Tower 28 is an LA-based, Asian woman-owned small business that creates nontoxic, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty products for all skin types. Promising review:"I can't live without it!! This product has become a necessity for my skin. I have truly seen the difference. When I break out, I usually get scars for several days, but this product makes them disappear extremely fast. I truly do recommend it because you can see the difference as soon as you start using it!" — Lulurosado Get it from Sephora (available in three sizes), Amazon (available in two sizes), or Tower 28 (available in three sizes and a two-pack) for $12+. You, when people ask you how you achieved the glass-skin look: BuzzFeed Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. Check out more AAPI-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Of course, the content doesn't end after May. Follow BuzzFeed's A*Pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest AAPI content year-round. BuzzFeed
Korea Herald
04-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Rise of Korea's dollar store Daiso explained in 2 minutes
As a place where affordability meets variety, Korean dollar store chain Daiso has ridden a steep growth trajectory over its three decades of history. The store's value proposition shines even brighter amid soaring inflation, with virtually every category in stock at affordable prices between 1,000 won ($0.70) and 5,000 won -- from everyday essentials to small luxuries that provide a sense of indulgence. Last year, Daiso's annual revenue nearly reached 4 trillion won, coming in at 3.96 trillion won -- a 14.7 percent increase from the previous year. Operating profit rose even more sharply, soaring 41.8 percent year-on-year to 371.1 billion won. Now fully Korean-owned 1992: Park Jeong-bu founded the household goods retailer Asung Industries, inspired by the Japanese 100-yen shop business model. The name Asung means to succeed in Asia. 1997: Park officially established the company under the name Asco Even Plaza in Cheonho-dong, eastern Seoul. It became the first company in Korea to adopt a flat-rate pricing model. 2001: Japan's 100-yen shop Daiso Sangyo acquired a 34.21 percent stake in Asung Industries, investing around 400 million yen, equivalent to around 4 billion won in today's value. Following the investment, Asung Industries changed its name to Asung Daiso. 2023: Asung Daiso's parent company, Asung HMP, reacquired the entire 34.21 percent stake from Daiso Sangyo, raising its total ownership from 50.02 percent to 84.23 percent in a deal estimated at around 500 billion won. With the transaction, the company became fully Korean-owned. The remaining shares are owned by founder Park Jeong-bu's two daughters. Growth fast-tracked While Daiso posted annual sales of just 20.4 billion won back in 2001, it first surpassed 100 billion won in revenue in 2007. Its rapid growth began in the 2010s, with its sales skyrocketing to 500 billion won by 2011, marking a fivefold increase in just four years. The company first reached 1 trillion won in revenue in 2015, followed by a breakthrough of 2 trillion won in 2019 and 3 trillion won in 2023. Contrary to industry expectations, Daiso's revenue fell just short of surpassing 4 trillion won last year, reaching 3.96 trillion won. Meanwhile, its operating profit, which hovered around 20 billion won annually from 2021 to 2023, exceeded 30 billion won for the first time last year. With its uniform pricing strategy, Daiso has consistently priced over 80 percent of its products below 2,000 won in a six-tier pricing structure: 500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000 and 5,000 won. Carrying around 30,000 different products across a wide range of categories, Daiso has effectively cut costs by streamlining its distribution channels and placing large-volume orders with suppliers. These efforts have helped the company achieve economies of scale, lower its cost ratio and improve overall profitability. In the early 2000s, Daiso had fewer than 100 stores. By 2005, the number had surpassed 500 and reached 1,000 in 2015. Today, there are more than 1,500 stores nationwide. What's next? Daiso is broadening its reach in beauty and fashion. Since entering the cosmetics market in 2021, the company has rapidly diversified its product lines and brand collaborations. Major beauty players such as Amorepacific and LG Household & Health Care have even launched Daiso-exclusive cosmetic lines. Daiso is boosting its e-commerce operations via its app, which offers services like same-day delivery. In line with its growth, the company is zeroing in on expanding its logistics infrastructure, with plans to open new hub centers in Sejong City by 2027 and in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, by 2028, in addition to its three existing logistics centers.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'If you're not Korean, you can't cook Korean food' – Jinjja Chicken reveals Singaporean roots
Imagine if you really wanted some Korean food, but you find out the owner of the stall isn't Korean. Would you still give it a chance, or just assume that the food wouldn't be any good? That was exactly what happened to Bernard Tay, the founder of Jinjja Chicken. Jinjja Chicken was founded in 2015, and for the last decade, Bernard has laid low, avoiding revealing that Jinjja Chicken is a homegrown brand. He admits that the misconception that Jinjja is a Korean brand is a common one, and in the past, he did not bother to correct people. Even those close to him had the assumption that he had bought the franchise. Bernard chose to sell Korean fried chicken as he was a big fan of the dish. He recalled an incident where a potential customer asked the cashier if the owner of Jinjja Chicken was Korean. When he was told that the owner was Singaporean, he walked away, saying that the food wouldn't be good since the owner wasn't Korean. 'There is a stigma that if you are not South Korean, you can't cook Korean fried chicken well,' Bernard said. Now that Jinjja Chicken is doing well with 8 outlets locally and about S$10 million in yearly revenue, Bernard is ready to let the public know about the brand's Singaporean roots. The brand also plans to open outlets in other parts of Asia, such as China, Thailand and Vietnam. 'We are a Singaporean brand and we are also doing well overseas,' said Bernard. 'I hope people will support Singaporeans who dare to sell cuisines which are not local.' Jade's Chicken: Authentic Korean-owned stall with honey butter fried chicken, jjajangmyeon & army stew in Toa Payoh coffeeshop The post 'If you're not Korean, you can't cook Korean food' – Jinjja Chicken reveals Singaporean roots appeared first on
Los Angeles Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Genre-bending restaurant Yangban closes in downtown's Arts District
One of L.A.'s most groundbreaking Korean restaurants is closing in the Arts District, but it isn't the intended end of Yangban. The celebrated restaurant — currently ranked No. 35 on the L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants list — temporarily shut its doors in December for renovations, with the plan to reopen in spring. On Wednesday afternoon chef-owners and husband-and-wife team Katianna and John Hong said in an email sent to The Times that they were 'exploring new possibilities.' A representative for the restaurant told The Times that the Hongs plan to relaunch Yangban elsewhere and are currently searching for a new location in Los Angeles. 'While this moment marks a shift, it's also the beginning of something new,' the Hongs wrote in a joint public statement. 'After more than five years in Los Angeles, we've had the chance to really live in this city — to explore, connect, and be inspired by the people and places around us. We've also had the opportunity to step away, to travel, and to reflect on how we want to grow creatively. We're in the midst of exploring new possibilities — fresh ideas, new spaces, and thoughtful ways to continue sharing our food and stories.' Katianna and John Hong could not be reached for comment. A representative for Yangban said that while temporarily closed, the Hongs had planned to build a new bar in the 5,000-square-foot space; early in the year they decided to hit pause on the project and reassess their future there. Yangban has already lived multiple lives and iterations, an evolving restaurant that's been critically well-received at each phase. The restaurant debuted at the start of 2022 as Yangban Society, which illustrated the owners' Korean American heritages through playful, inventive dishes ordered in a casual counter-service setting. 'It's about being proud, and educating myself even deeper [about Korean culture], and finding some closure within that,' John Hong told The Times in 2022. Yangban Society — and later, simply Yangban — helped herald a new, exciting era of Korean cuisine in Los Angeles alongside the rebirth of Baroo, Perilla L.A., Kinn (and now Restaurant Ki) from chef Ki Kim, and Danbi. The Hongs named their restaurant Yangban Society after the long-running Joseon Dynasty's Korean aristocratic ruling class, and used the space to not only explore their heritage through cooking, but feature Korean makers and photographers. Upstairs, a small market and retail area offered tea highballs canned in-house alongside snacks like Korean chips and candy, plus home goods and beauty items from Korean-owned brands. The ground floor's deli cases featured rotations of smoked trout 'schmear,' cold acorn noodles, banchan, coal-roasted-cabbage slaw and other chilled items, while the hot-food menu included the Hongs' now-signature sweet-sticky fried chicken wings, overflowing cups of abalone congee pot pie, and crunchy-exteriored biscuits drowning in curry gravy. 'These talented chefs have a lock on the cooking: So much of it lands in the sweet spot of intelligent, surprising combinations and abject pleasure,' L.A. Times Food critic Bill Addison wrote in his 2022 review. 'The biggest challenge for Yangban Society will be its space.' In 2023 the Hongs renamed their restaurant Yangban, added table service and did away with the deli case. The evolution of the format and menu better showcased the fine-dining backgrounds of the Hongs, who met while cooking at Mélisse. (They both went on to cook at Napa's famed Restaurant at Meadowood before returning to Los Angeles.) Later in 2023 they closed Yangban to renovate the dining room, redecorating with installations from Asian American artists. In early 2024 they launched Yangban Style, a weekly tasting menu that further explored Korean American heritage. Days and hours of operations shifted. Katianna Hong left to compete in 'Top Chef: Destination Canada' alongside another L.A. chef, Highly Likely's Kat Turner. The season is currently airing on Bravo and Peacock. In response to the public statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday, hundreds of comments rolled in almost immediately: some hoping for further information, others bemoaning the loss of those signature chicken wings. For many the closure represents an end — even if a temporary one — to a number of the Hongs' instantly recognizable dishes. 'When we opened Yangban in the heart of the Arts District, it was never just about a restaurant — it was a reflection of our heritage and our journey,' the Hongs' statement read. 'Yangban gave us the space to share a new narrative of Korean American identity, and we're deeply grateful to everyone who came through with curiosity and open hearts. Our time in this space was filled with meaningful moments, creative growth, and the unwavering support of our community.'
