Upcoming Events
KAD Worldwide Hike Day
Join AKA-LA for the 5th Annual KAD’s Unite Worldwide Hike on Saturday, May 2, 2025. Adoptees, Families, Friends, and friendly-leashed dogs are welcome!
This hike was initiated 5 years ago by Jodie Olson, a KAD in San Diego, as a way for all KADs and their loved ones to feel connected on the same day, doing something healthy for free all over the world. Exercise is good for mental health, hiking specifically is deeply rooted in Korean culture and May is both AANHPI month (Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) and Mental Health Awareness Month.
Sign up HERE
*Please be sure to stay connected via Partiful so we can communicate any information with you leading up to the event
8:30am- Meet at the north side of the Norman O. Houston Park parking lot
9:00am- Start Hike (2.6 miles)
11:00am- Picnic Potluck Lunch (AKA will provide food and beverages at no cost!)
Craft and KPOP Dance Class
Join AKA-LA for a fun Hanji Crafting Class, where you’ll create beautiful, everyday items using traditional Korean paper. Afterward, stick around for a beginner-friendly K-pop dance class—perfect for trying something new!
This is a great cultural experience for friends, family, or anyone looking to connect and have fun.
Lunch will be provided by KECLA, featuring fresh kimbap and tteokbokki.
RSVP HERE
LA Dodgers Korean Heritage Night
Save the Date: August 13, 2026 for Korean Heritage Night (vs. Brewers)
More Info to Come.
GYOPO Film Screening
Save the Date: April 18 | 2:00–5:00 PM
Location: GYOPO
We’ll watch the films together followed by a deeper community discussion on adoption- creating space for reflection, connection, and shared experiences.
Please note: This event is exclusively for adoptees.
*This gathering includes deeper discussion about adoption that may bring up personal emotions or processing. There is absolutely no pressure to share- you are welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable.
Kim's Convenience
Come see the live productions of Kim’s Convenience, featuring one of our fellow Korean Adoptees (Rosie Simon) with a Post Show reception where we will have the opportunity to meet and greet Rosie and the cast!
THE PLAY THAT INSPIRED THE BELOVED NETFLIX SERIES
This award-winning comedy drama, which inspired the Netflix hit, is a hilarious, feel-good story about a Korean family-run corner store. Mr. Kim works hard to support his wife and children with his Toronto convenience store. As he evaluates his future, he faces both a changing neighborhood landscape and the gap between his values and those of his Canadian-born children. Playwright Ins Choi, who will also star in the production as the titular character, calls Kim’s Convenience his “love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who call Canada their home.”
Link to Purchase Tickets Here: https://www.centertheatregroup.org/smartseat/?itemNumber=23504#/
RSVP on Partiful Here: https://partiful.com/e/bHm9Mibi96YqljAPiGrB?c=_24iKPTC
Makgeolli (막걸리) Tasting & Jeon (전) Cooking Class
AKA-LA will host a Makgeolli (Rice Wine) Tasting and Jeon (Korean Pancake) Cooking Class on Saturday, February 21 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Korean Resource Center in K-Town. In addition to tasting and cooking, we’ll also learn the history of Makgeolli and why Koreans traditionally pair Jeon and Makgeolli together. Adoptees only. Link to Partiful waitlist here: https://partiful.com/e/2lfDtkQ5vjd02jz5VPD8?c=4vr2oyBn
Cost: $20 per person
Payment Handle via Zelle: AKA-LA
Email: info@aka-la.org
Include event name, your name, adoptee guest name (if applicable).
AKA LA x LA KINGS K-TOWN NIGHT
AKA-LA is heading to the LA Kings game together for our first event of the New Year! If we get enough people, everyone gets a free Kings jersey. Come hang out and meet other adoptees and friends in the community! Come through and bring someone new.
LA Kings vs. NY Rangers
January 20, 2026
7:00 pm @ Crypto.com Arena
Free jersey giveaway (if we get more than 10 tickets purchased)
Payment via Venmo or Paypal to Alex Pines by 12/31
Holiday Potluck
The holidays are right around the corner. Save the Date for AKA-LA’s annual holiday potluck party on Saturday December 13, 2025 from 12pm-5pm. This year it will be at a fellow KAD’s house in Torrance.
Things to look forward to!
Funny/Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest
Sock/Mug Gift Exchange
Games, Noraebang, and More!
Stay tuned for more info and food sign ups to be posted by early December!
Dinner and LA Korean Festival
Join AKA-LA for an evening of community & culture to celebrate Chuseok! Hang out with us the whole evening or pick one event for the night! We would love to celebrate Chuseok with our adoptee community, friends and family.
5 PM - Dinner at Lasung Tofu & Pot Rice
7 PM - LA Korean Festival
*We will have an AKA-LA sign at the meeting point at the back of the main stage area to find us! Enjoy performers featuring K-Pop group BB Girls, grab some dessert & walk around the various booths throughout the park.
Bay 2 LA
WHAT:
The Association of Korean Adoptees San Francisco (AKASF) is excited to host its 4th Bay to LA event! We can’t wait to see familiar faces, meet new ones, and continue building and empowering our California (and beyond!) adoptee communities.
Bay to LA is a community-centered social gathering for adoptees, with special programming throughout the weekend. It has become tradition to gather in LA’s Koreatown, making it easier to connect folks from San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Curious what we’ve done in previous years? Check out our past events:
WHEN & WHERE:
📍 Koreatown, Los Angeles, CA
📅 Friday, September 12 – Saturday, September 13, 2025
For additional details, please visit our REGISTRATION PAGE
AKA-LA Summer Picnic
Saturday, Aug 16th
11 AM- 4 PM
Rosemead Park: 4343 Enicinita Ave, Rosemead CA 91770
AKA-LA & KRC Present the Art of Kimchi-Making
AKA-LA & KRC Present the Art of Kimchi-Making
You're Invited! RSVP here: https://partiful.com/e/ZtyGc6tUtV9YrQjXuGqO
Join us for a special kimchi-making workshop hosted by the Korean Resource Center. You’ll learn how to prepare three different types of kimchi by hand. We'll also share a meal of Chapagetti noodles with kimchi - the ultimate comfort food.
Date & Time: Saturday, June 28, 2025 · 2–5 PM
Location: Korean Resource Center – Crenshaw, 900 Crenshaw Blvd, Unit B, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Cost: $30 per person
Who’s this for? Korean adoptees and their children
What you’ll take home: 3 types of kimchi, a full belly, and a meaningful connection to Korean culture
Why kimchi?
Kimchi is more than just a side dish—it’s a symbol of Korean identity and heritage. In Korea, kimchi-making is a communal tradition called "kimjang", where families and traditionally whole neighborhoods gather to prepare large batches of kimchi for the winter. For Korean adoptees, it can offer a sensory and emotional connection to Korea. One that’s felt through taste, memory, and tradition.
Whether you’re brand new to kimchi or already love it, this workshop is a chance to explore a core part of Korean life in a warm, welcoming space.
Payment Info:
To reserve your spot, please send $30 per person via Zelle to: Association Of Korean Adoptees-Los Angeles
310-431-7252
If you are bringing a guest, please include their name(s) in the Zelle payment notes.
Bridging Worlds as an Adoptee: a Presentation by Ami Nafzger Along with a Korean Calligraphy Class
Bridging Worlds as an Adoptee: a Presentation by Ami Nafzger; Along with a Korean Calligraphy Class
Korean Adoptees, Families and Supporting Friends are Welcome!
Presentation to include: Navigating your Birth Search, Living in or Visiting Korea as an Adoptee, Understanding Dual Citizenship & F4 Visas, History of G.O.A.'L.
Location: Korean Education Center Los Angeles (KECLA) in Koreatown, 680 Wilshire Place, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
RSVP HERE by MAY 10th: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf594UTgiUQz8s9e5l8UBoPkSCpgJ_TcDP_Knrr5_u6YUkp4Q/viewform?urp=gmail_link
Between Goodbye's Film + Dinner(as part of LA Asian Pacific Film Festival)
Sunday, May 4
Between Goodbye's Film + Dinner (as part of LA Asian Pacific Film Festival)
All are welcome!
Location: AMC Atlantic Times Square 14 (in Monterey Park)
Time: 4:30 pm - Film Starts / Short Q&A following film / 7:00 pm - Dinner with Film Team (location TBD)
RSVP by MAY 3rd: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuDummc73YImdfsfhOnyzaMx4IjBG6PTaDo_IrphezhIWTDQ/viewform
Worldwide KAD Hike
This event is for Korean Adoptees everywhere to get outside and hike on the same day, together in spirit with the worldwide KAD community. Family and friends are all welcome to join!
Meet up scheduled for 9am start on May 3rd!
Location: Griffith Park (Fern Dell Nature Trail) - off Los Feliz Blvd & Fern Dell Drive
RSVP Here: https://partiful.com/e/nqYQ1m4TUOteFXKIKAbc
Korean Heritage Night @ Dodger Game
Join us at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, April 16, to celebrate Korean culture and heritage!
This special event ticket package includes a game ticket and an exclusive Korean Heritage Night jersey. *
SIGN UPS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Kings Hockey Game (K-Town Night)
SAVE THE DATE for K-TOWN NIGHT @ Crypto Arena
Mar. 23 at 6:00pm PST: Kings vs. Bruins
We’ll send out a formal sign-up sheet closer to the event!
Dinner at MDK Noodle + Noraebang @ Rosen Karaoke
Join AKA-LA for a fun night in Koreatown! We’ll start with dinner at MDK Noodles at 6:00 PM and follow with Noraebang (Karaoke) at Rosen Karaoke from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM!
There is street parking near MDK Noodles. Rosen Karaoke is an 8-minute walk from the restaurant (or a 2-minute drive).
This is an ADOPTEE EVENT ONLY.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 19th using the link below:
Lunar New Year: Mandu-Making Class
~~ Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Korean Dumpling-Making ~~ AKA-LA, in partnership with the Korean Resource Center, invites the Korean adoptee community to celebrate the Lunar New Year together! Join us for a special cooking class where you'll learn to make traditional Korean dumplings, mandu, from scratch—symbolizing good luck and fresh beginnings (we could all use a little of that ;))
Led by Master Chef Salli, enjoy a fun, hands-on session exploring Korean cuisine and culture. All supplies will be provided, and we’ll share a hearty bowl of Duk Mandu Guk (Rice Cake & Dumpling Soup) together. Afterward, we'll learn to play Yut, a traditional Korean New Year game! (Squid Game- style)
~~ About Chef Salli ~~ Chef Salli studied nutrition at Yonsei University then came to Wisconsin to get her Masters degree in Social Work in the early 70s. Her plans took a turn when she met her husband, got married, and raised five children. Ms. Salli is a published essayist and penned a regular column in The Korea Daily in Los Angeles.
RSVP HERE: https://partiful.com/e/ppB4vspXrFkJOvZWDAw9
COST: $20 per person Zelle: Association of Korean Adoptees-Los Angeles @ 310-431-7252 (Include your Name & “Mandu Cooking Class” in the Notes)
Extras: Bring your own container for leftover filling (optional).
Contact: info@aka-la.org Reconnect with your Korean heritage and community—reserve your spot today!
Holiday Potluck
AKA-LA invites adoptees and your families to attend a Holiday Party Potluck!
Address will provided upon RSVP. Please reserve your spot by 12/1 using the Partiful Link Here: https://partiful.com/e/CLfmn5QVLhUDhmZ0N9HH
Party Details Below:
Please bring a dish of your choice to share.
Gift Exchange: Please bring either fun festive socks or a mug to exchange (*new and wrapped)
Funny/ Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest (winner gets a prize)
BINGO! (with prizes!)
Hanji Craft Art Class
KECLA (Korean Education Center of LA) is offering a free Hanji (Traditional Korean Paper) Art Class for adoptees and their families on November 23 from 11:30am-2pm at 680 Wilshire Pl #200 LA, CA 90005. Only a few spots left! See sign up sheet below:
Friendsgiving
AKA-LA invites you to a Friendsgiving Potluck!
Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 1PM in the LA/BEVERLY HILLS area.
The event will be at a fellow KADs home address to be provided upon RSVP.
Bring your favorite food to share! PLEASE RSVP by Nov 13th. Google Doc can be found on instagram bio link (@aka_losangeles).
Bowling night
AKA-LA hosted a bowling night at Shatto Lanes on 10/19/24. After Bowling a group headed to Kimbap Paradise!
Chuseok Beach BBQ & Bonfire
AKA-LA celebrated Chuseok with a Beach BBQ and Bonfire at Dockweiler Beach on 9/21/24.
Songpyeon Cooking Class
AKA-LA hosted a Songpyeon (Traditional Korean Rice Cake) Making class on Sep 7, 2024.
GAME NIGHT
AKA-LA hosted a game night at SORRY NOT SORRY in Santa Monica on Aug 17th, 2024.
