[K-Exclusive]: Highlights from KYCC’s 23rd Annual Benefit Concert

Fifty years ago, the KYCC, which formerly went by KYC, started as a small communal idea that grew in time with the dream of fulfilling the needs of recently immigrated, economically disadvantaged youth and families that struggled without the proper resources to live “The American Dream.” Since its inception, KYCC has supported the Koreatown and greater Los Angeles communities by offering a wide range of resources, including affordable housing for homeless seniors, quality healthcare, substance abuse prevention and recovery services, environmental clean-up efforts, and youth and family programs to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency.

As a whole, the KYCC has put much effort into evolving the community from what it was before, while staying true to its humble roots. Every year, the KYCC comes together to host a benefit in thanks to all its partners and donors that helped give back to the community. The goal for this year’s 23rd Annual Benefit Concert was to raise $400,000, a goal that was exceeded at $480,000. This year’s concert was headlined by internationally versed K-Pop artist Kevin Woo, German-born music prodigy Arlissa, and the soulful lead singer of Thee Sinseers,Joey Quiñones.

Before introducing the featured artists, MCs Suzie Suh and Alex Reid (formerly of BP Rania) opened the evening with a warm introduction to KYCC. The night was energized by the dynamic instrumentals of the Korean American Music Foundation and The Korean American Youth Symphony (KAYS), led by Conductor and Musical Director Seung Ju Kim. Their opening performance included Franz von Suppé’s “Light Cavalry Overture” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and throughout the event, each artist’s performance was elevated by the orchestra’s impressive accompaniment to perfectly complement their powerful vocals.

The first artist, Joey Quiñones, captivated the audience with a soulful rendition of “Talk to Me” by Sunny & The Sunliners, followed by “What’s His Name.” His brief but powerful performance paid homage to a timeless sound that he skillfully preserved.

Next, the only female performer, Arlissa, took the stage and mesmerized the crowd with “Everytime I Breathe,” “Skin & Bones,” and “Hearts Ain’t Gonna Lie.” Her chic and soulful presence filled the room, and her impressive vocal range was met with resounding applause, showcasing her undeniable talent.

The final artist to take the stage was K-Pop sensation Kevin Woo, known as a vocal powerhouse with talents spanning singing, dancing, acting, and producing. Though he’s stepped away from the K-Pop genre, Kevin has remained active, making his Broadway debut in KPOP, starring in the short film Seoul Switch, and most recently appearing in the full-length feature K-POPS, directed by Anderson Paak, which recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

His setlist featured a heartfelt rendition of Crush’s “Beautiful” from the popular K-Drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God Goblin (commonly known as Goblin), his Korean debut single “Beautiful Day,” and an exclusive Kevin-version of his group U-KISS’s“0330.”

Before the night officially concluded, Kevin and Arlissa performed a stunning duet of “Shallow” by Bradley Cooper and LadyGaga from the acclaimed film, A Star is Born. The evening wrapped up with a final bow from both the artists and the orchestra, celebrating a night of remarkable music and another successful year for KYCC.

Ahead of the benefit concert, Kevin Woo sat down for a brief interview with Officially Kmusic, discussing his journey and providing insights into both his successes and obstacles from his recent experiences as both an artist and individual. You can check out our interview live now on YouTube:

Special thank you to the KYCCLA team for allowing Officially Kmusic to take part in this special evening! Make sure to check out our full gallery up on our Facebook page now.

Written By Kortney Kendall
Edited By Ephney Tsai

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