1980
Foundation1980
The academy begins in Los Angeles
Eung Hwa Kim establishes the Los Angeles Korean Dance Academy and begins a decades-long practice of preserving Korean traditional dance and music through teaching and public performance.
1983
First recital1983
First academy presentation at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre
The first formal dance presentation brings young Korean American students to one of Los Angeles’ enduring cultural stages, establishing a performance tradition that continues across generations.
1984
International stage1984
Los Angeles Olympic ceremonies
The company participates in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, sharing Korean performance traditions on a global civic stage.
1998
InstitutionOctober 1, 1998
California nonprofit corporation established
Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Academy formalizes its public-benefit mission in California, supporting long-term education, cultural preservation, and community performance.
2006
Education2006
Living Cultures grant supports youth training
An Alliance for California Traditional Arts grant supports weekly summer instruction for youth and young adults in Korean traditional dance and music, strengthening cultural continuity for second- and third-generation Korean Americans.
2010
Community continuity2010 onward
A continuing presence at the Aquarium of the Pacific
The academy begins a long-running relationship with the Aquarium of the Pacific’s cultural festivals, returning year after year to connect Korean traditional arts with Southern California audiences.
2019
Living practiceJuly 23, 2019
Drum dance as health, memory, and community
Spectrum News profiles the academy’s senior drum-dance classes in Koreatown, documenting how traditional training supports health, stamina, cultural knowledge, and intergenerational pride.
2023
Public stages2023
Parade, community celebration, and Streams of Blossoms
The company appears in the Kingdom Day Parade, performs for seniors at the Fullerton Hyo Celebration, receives national recognition at the Eoheung cultural festival, and presents the Korean–American collaboration Streams of Blossoms.
2024
Recognition & repertory2024
Streams of Blossoms II and 65 years of L.A. holiday tradition
Streams of Blossoms II expands the collaborative stage repertory. The academy also returns to the L.A. County Holiday Celebration and is recognized for sustained community service.
2025
New-year stagesJanuary–March 2025
Lunar New Year and civic remembrance across Los Angeles
The academy opens the year with Disney’s Lunar New Year media program and public performances, The Americana at Brand, MAUM Market’s Lankershim block party, a March 1 flash mob, and the Asian Hall of Fame benefit.
Original productionAugust 16, 2025
Gwanghee commemorates 80 years of Korean Liberation
Eung Hwa Kim leads an original large-scale dance drama at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, joining Korean traditional dance, music, historical memory, and an intergenerational cast.
Countywide performanceSeptember–October 2025
The Ford, Gracias Gustavo, and the L.A. Korean Festival
Hangawi at The Ford places Korean harvest traditions within the LA Phil’s season. The company then joins the Gracias Gustavo celebration and the 52nd Los Angeles Korean Festival.
Recognition & broadcastNovember–December 2025
Heritage Award and the 66th L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Eung Hwa Kim receives the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Heritage Award, while the academy closes the year with Korean court dance and percussion at the televised 66th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration.
2026
A wider public archive2026
Parades, museums, schools, civic programs, and international friendship
The 2026 program expands from the Natural History Museum and King Day Parade to Lunar New Year stages, libraries, schools, universities, AAPI programs, community festivals, World Cup gatherings, and the Korea–Alaska Friendship Festival.
