February 26, 2025 - Wednesday - Today we were in Los Angeles to visit the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA). The Center is an annex of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles and is operated by the South Korean government's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. KCCLA's mission is to broaden Korea-US relations through cultural and educational activities.
The first floor displays both historical and cultural items. In traditional Korean culture, men and women both have their own living spaces within the home. Pictured below is a typical wife's room.
The somewhat more elaborate room pictured below is the husband's room.
The entire second floor is an art gallery, with pieces created by Koreans and Korean Americans. Both paintings and works of sculpture are represented.
The Center is beautiful, informative and a pleasure for the eye. We loved it.
After the Korean Center, we headed over to République for lunch. Built in 1928 by Charlie Chaplin it is a Spanish influenced brick structure with gothic arches and colorful mosaic tiles. But Chaplin didn't occupy his office space there for very long, if at all. In 1924 when he was 35 years old he met Lita Grey, an aspiring actress who was only 15 years old at the time. They had an affair and she become pregnant. As he could have been imprisoned for having sexual relations with a minor, they secretly married in Mexico to avoid a scandal. When they divorced three years later, Lita was awarded the unfinished building as part of their settlement agreement. The atmosphere is wonderful and the food is excellent.
Judy had their "Cuban Sandwich" with rotisserie pork, house-cured ham, gruyere, garlic Mojo, Dijon mustard, pickles, and a baby green salad.
I had their "BLT Benedict." It's made with Neuske’s applewood smoked bacon, avocado, arugula, Calabrian chili hollandaise, and soft poached eggs on their own brioche. It is out of this world.
