PEOPLE AND CULTURE
K-Story&Comics event in Los Angeles achieves major success with $15.7 million in export deals and thriving public engagement
From July 30 to August 3, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), hosted the K-Story&Comics event in Los Angeles. The initiative aimed to enhance the global presence of Korean comics and achieved notable success through substantial export deals and extensive public engagement.
Now in its second year as a combined B2B and B2C platform, K-Story&Comics witnessed a significant turnout. The B2B portion of the event, held at the Hudson Loft in downtown LA, brought together approximately 74 North American companies and 10 Korean content firms. Over the three days, 231 business meetings took place, resulting in estimated export deals worth around $15.7 million. Notable U.S. participants included major entertainment and publishing companies such as Alcon Entertainment, Lionsgate, Tomorrow Studios, Inklore, and Tokyopop.
Korean companies such as Donutpeach, DCCENT, RIDI, Vivravo, YLAB EARTH, KENAZ, KW Books, TakeOne Studio, Torycoms, and Toyou’s Dream actively sought collaboration opportunities in areas like joint planning, investment, and production. RIDI and KW Books even pitched exclusive content to influential global platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Falcon’s Beyond, paving the way for potential video adaptations.
In addition to business negotiations, an engaging public experience awaited attendees. The K-Story&Comics exhibition booth at the Los Angeles Convention Center attracted over 25,000 visitors during KCON LA 2025 from August 1…
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Westgate Las Vegas hosted two sold-out performances of 1969 LIVE! The King Returns starring acclaimed Elvis Tribute Artist Travis Powell captivated audiences inside the iconic International Theater, where Elvis originally made history in 1969
On Thursday, July 31, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino hosted a spectacular celebration honoring the legendary Elvis Presley, drawing fans, media, and Elvis enthusiasts from around the globe. The event featured a sold-out performance of “1969 LIVE! The King Returns,” starring acclaimed Elvis Tribute Artist Travis Powell, who captivated audiences in the iconic International Theater where Elvis made his historic debut in 1969.
The celebration went beyond the electrifying stage show, as the entire resort was transformed into an immersive Elvis experience. Guests enjoyed rare memorabilia, themed food and drinks, special guest appearances, and nonstop entertainment, all dedicated to honoring the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll throughout the property.
Cami Christensen, President and General Manager of Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, expressed her excitement, stating, “What a spectacular night. To see guests from all generations dancing, celebrating, and honoring Elvis right here at the International Theater—the very stage where his legacy began—was incredibly special. Westgate is proud to be the only place in Las Vegas where fans can relive this history in such an authentic and powerful way.”
Travis Powell shared his thoughts on the experience, saying, “It was an absolute honor to step onto the same stage…
From Ukraine to San Francisco, the Armenian-born tattoo artist brings symbolism, soul, and storytelling into every line she inks
In a world where tattooing has rapidly evolved into a global art form, few artists embody its emotional, cultural, and symbolic potential like Mané Dias. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, raised in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, and now based in San Francisco, Mané is not just a tattooer – she is a visual poet. Her ink tells stories that go far beyond skin, blurring the lines between body art, emotional therapy, and spiritual ritual.
A Personal Revolution on Skin
Mané’s tattoos are intimate, expressionistic, and deeply rooted in symbolism. Influenced by romanticism, art nouveau, and the spiritual essence of expressionist cinema and literature, her work draws seekers – those in search of connection, healing, and meaning. “Most of the motives are based on spiritual inward seeking,” she explains, “which is why my clients find my work relatable and deeply personal.”
Each piece she creates becomes a shared emotional experience. To her, tattooing is not just visual – it’s visceral. “Through my vision,” Mané says, “clients express their own vulnerability, reaching out to the therapeutic aspect of the act of getting a tattoo.” In her hands, a tattoo becomes more than body art – it becomes a mirror of the soul.
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A Thrilling Quest Beneath the Desert Awaits in The Lost City of Harlequin Springs
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Following the cult success of The Panterra Chronicles, Patricia Punch Barrett returns with a dazzling sequel that takes readers deeper into the mysterious landscapes of the Mojave Desert. The Lost City of Harlequin Springs is a cinematic and surreal journey that blends Cirque-style performance, environmental intrigue, hidden civilizations, and the search for identity in a chaotic world.
This time, the SuperTramps—an unforgettable troupe of acrobats, filmmakers, and rescuers—embark on a pulse-pounding adventure to uncover a lost city beneath a fabled ghost town. Guided by a cryptic map and driven by their unwavering bond, the SuperTramps explore secret tunnels, ancient aquifers, and bioluminescent caves, all while uncovering clues to humanity’s impact on the planet.
Why This Book Matters
Patricia Punch Barrett, a master of mixing heart with spectacle, wrote The Lost City of Harlequin Springs to celebrate resilience, curiosity, and the beauty of hidden connections. “It’s a tribute to quiet heroes, to endangered ecosystems like Devils Hole, and to young people finding family in each other,” says Barrett. “In a world full of noise, this is a story about listening to the Earth and trusting the power of shared wonder.”
What Readers Can Expect:
A return to the vibrant and eccentric SuperTramps
A secret map leading to a subterranean city of legend
Pupfish, punk rock air guitar, cowboy hot tubs, and a whole lot of heart
Real-world ecological issues…
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