Table of Contents

1. The Changing Face of LA
2. A Little Seoul Sprang Up: Place Entrepreneurs and the Koreatown Concept
3. Searching for Koreatown: Generational Divides and Cultural Bridges in Korean America
4. A Small World: Korean Americans and Global Los Angeles
5. "Most of These Areas Were Formerly Black": Interracial Conflict in South Central and the Burning of Koreatown
6. A Good Comeback

About the Author

Shelley Sang-Hee Lee is Professor of American Studies at Brown University.

Reviews

"Koreatown, Los Angeles is an important work that brings together multiple histories-of Korean America, Los Angeles, the United States, interracial and interethnic relations, and immigration, among others-to examine Korean Los Angeles and Korean America since the 1970s. A compelling and accessibly written read."-Arissa Oh, Boston College
"Meticulously researched and crisply written, Koreatown, Los Angeles is a richly layered chronicle of K-town's history: the ethnic, migrant, economic, and global politics that helped put the multiracial enclave on the map, lit the match that burned it down, and helped it rise from the ashes."-Nadia Y. Kim, Loyola Marymount University
"This is a fascinating story exploring the emergence, destruction, and rebuilding of LA's Koreatown and the immigrants who shaped its development. A deep dive into the complexity of race, immigration, class, power, and the 'American Dream' in the largest Korean enclave outside of Korea."-Do Kim, The K.W. Lee Center for Leadership
"Koreatown, Los Angeles is rich, detailed, and a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about the largest Korean population settlement outside of Korea."-Michael Haan, Ethnic and Racial Studies