HOUSTON, April 19, 2023 — In partnership with Korean American Story, Asia Society Texas recently welcomed six finalists to share their stories onstage in the annual ROAR Story Slam competition.

Created in 2016 to raise visibility and recognition of Korean American stories, the ROAR Story Slam made its first stop in Texas after previous live competitions in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. The finalists — based in Houston, New York City, Chicago, and Pearland —  were selected from a national audition call and received coaching to further craft their stories, following this year's theme of "What the Heck." Exploring aspects of their unique and authentic Korean American identities with humor, candor, and vulnerability, finalists Kwonperat Teimchaiyapoom, Danny Maiuri, Jimmy Byrne, Joseph Yoo, Young Kim, and Tina Kim led the judges and audience on a journey that revealed the breadth and depth of what it means to be of Korean descent in the U.S. today.

At the conclusion of the evening, which included a live music performance and a panel discussion with the finalists, Young Kim was announced the competition's winner for his humorous story of being consistently mistaken for DJ and music producer Steve Aoki.

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.