The USC School of Social Work’s Network of Korean-American Leaders (NetKAL) held its annual gala and summit on Oct. 21-22. This year’s events, which were focused on the role of Asian Americans in entertainment and media, brought together leaders in business, education, entertainment, nonprofit organizations, politics and social innovation to recognize the achievements of Asian Americans, and Korean Americans specifically, and the pivotal role the next generation will play in their communities and in society.

The NetKAL Gala kicked off the two-day gathering, which was organized by the school’s USC Center for Asian-Pacific Leadership, at the California Science Center. Guests were treated to a night of inspirational speeches, as well as entertaining performances by Korean pop stars G.NA and Kim Tae Woo and Korean-American musician David Choi.

“The uniqueness of the NetKAL gathering is that attendees have excellent records of individual accomplishment and a demonstrated interest in the betterment of the Korean-American community and beyond,” said Jehoon Lee, director of the Center for Asian-Pacific Leadership. “Asian-American entertainment and media leaders want to find out how they can transform all of these amazing Asian-American leaders' individual successes into significance within the Asian-American, including Korean-American, community.”

NetKAL was established as a fellowship program that promotes civic leadership among successful second generation Korean Americans from a variety of professions. Fellows participate in a six-month program that provides participants with the tools they need to expand their professional networks while defining their own multi-faceted role as a Korean-American leader.

“Our vision to provide 1.5 and second generation Korean-American leaders with the knowledge and networks to further their professional careers and to widen their roles in the community and mainstream U.S. society has far exceeded our expectations,” said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the School of Social Work. “Who would have anticipated in 2006 that five years later over 120 Korean Americans would be NetKAL fellows who are truly connected through a nationwide network that extends from coast to coast.”

Jinny Jung, director of sales development and marketing for the animation division of Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital, was one of the NetKAL fellows who shared at the gala her experience in the program.

“We met people from all different walks of life,” Jung said. “We made not only professional connections but also true connections that we’ll have for our entire lives.”

David Eun, a NetKAL adviser and former president of AOL Media and Studios, recognized Asian-American pioneers in entertainment and media, many of whom were in attendance at the gala, as a tribute to the progress they have made in the industry.

“There’s a perception out there that Asian Americans and Korean Americans are invisible in the entertainment and media world,” Eun said. “In recent years, however, we have seen increasing numbers of Asian American decision makers in the entertainment and media business and on the screen.  Even more exciting is that this seems to be happening at a faster rate, especially with the advent of new technology platforms.”

Among the luminaries who attended the gala were Lisa Ling, host of “Our America” on the Oprah Winfrey Network; Ken Mok, executive producer of “America’s Next Top Model;” Sonny Saito, actor in “Letters From Iwo Jima;” Kenny G, musician; and many other successful entertainment professionals. Ling and Mok also presented at the NetKAL summit the next day.

This year’s invitation-only NetKAL Summit, “Leading Change Through Media and Entertainment,” engaged Korean-American influencers in dialogue through speaker panels, networking and peer-to-peer learning activities. Topics included the influence of Korean popular culture throughout Asia, making your mark in the entertainment business, and how Silicon Valley and Hollywood affect each other.

Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ group, a multi-platform content creator and distributor in Asia, gave the summit’s keynote speech. She discussed the growth in Korean media over the last 15 years and its increasing popularity around the world.

“People are connecting with one another and creating communities, unfazed by borders or languages.  They are connecting through commonalities that they find in lifestyle, people who they identify with,” Lee said.  “More and more, our world is about the communities we belong to, and curating and sharing content within those communities, whether it’s movies, books, television, food or fashion.

“The leap that we have made now is in connectivity,” Lee said. “You are able to find like-minded people and organize them through all kinds of social media…It is a testament to the power of connection and the need for people to feel connected.”