Maekan

The faces of Japan’s entertainment industry are changing. From models to boy bands to athletes, the country is celebrating its new diversity, especially hafus—the Japanese term for biracial people. But before this new wave of mixed Japanese celebrities, there was Crystal Kay. This half-Korean and half-African American songstress was born in Japan, and was one of the only half-black people in mainstream media when she burst onto the Japanese pop scene in 1999. In this exclusive MAEKAN interview, she tells us about being mixed in Japan, and how her multicultural background has helped make her borderless as an entertainer. Script and Narration by Iris Van Kerckove Audio by Elphick Wo Photos by Kara Chung See the whole story 

To produce one of our stories in October 2017, we sent our sound engineer Elphick with frequent MAEKAN collaborator and photographer Yin to China. They were there to meet with pro baller Erron Maxey and cover the growing local underground scene known as “Wild Ball.” Hosted by Elphick Wo & To Cheuk Yin Audio by Elphick Wo Photos by To Cheuk Yin See the whole story here. What is MAEKAN? MAEKAN is a membership-based publication and community focused on the sights and sounds of creative culture. We're about learning, participating, and connecting with a global community on a --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

In this fun MAEKAN story, Alex and Chris get ahold of a Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 i-Type Camera and take it out for a field test around Alex’s neighborhood in Chai Wan on Hong Kong Island. Audio by Kevin Chau Photos by Christopher Lim See the whole story 

Many interests often begin solo. Collecting sneakers, shooting photos, or maybe cooking are acts that can take shape in various forms. But it’s the power of community and connection that not only draws us in but keeps us rooted and engaged. A strong community provides a balance of support and challenge, ensuring that we all collectively reap the benefits of a shared commitment. Our digital generation has been spoiled with opportunities to connect and engage online. The ability to dip in and out of a conversation is a concept worth noting. There are communities where sometimes many offer a lot of their time and effort, while other times, people are simply passively consuming. But what happens when you introduce a physical component to it all and bring these worlds offline? Narration by < --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

Jamal Burger, or Jayscale as he’s known in the digital world, has come a long ways as a curious kid in Toronto. Like many of his generation, their first foray into photography came courtesy of a mobile device. The phone would be a cherished tool on a social media ride that would allow him to grow into a sizeable Instagram following. Youthful exuberance and a large following can create a particular sense of invincibility and narcissism. There’s not even a hint of that with Jamal. It’s often easy to apply social media’s superficial element of judgment before you meet somebody in real life. Afterall, the curated nature of someone’s life on a feed may lead you to believe that it is, in fact, their reality. Narration by Eugene Kan Audio by

With the political rhetoric and mass media firestorm shaping, if not commanding the immigration debate in the United States, it’s easy to find oneself distant and apathetic to the very issue at hand—people going from one place to another. In this Witnessed, photographer Taliesin Gilkes-Bower shares his experiences traveling along the Mexico-United States border producing his “Hard Stop: Along The Wall” photo series and accompanying Aguilas del Desierto (Eagles of the Desert), a San Diego-based non-profit that searches for lost or abandoned migrants crossing through the hostile deserts of California and Arizona hoping to cross an increasingly militarized border. Narration by Taliesin Gilkes-Bower Audio by Elphick Wo --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

Shah Selbe’s work puts him at the intersection of the world’s most famous exploration organization and cutting-edge technology. A conservation technologist, Selbe is a fellow with the National Geographic Society and uses drones, sensors, and smartphones on expeditions in order to change the way we protect the world’s wild species and spaces. Though his work takes him to some of the most far-flung reaches of the planet, Selbe runs a nonprofit lab in downtown Los Angeles called Conservify where he can prototype and build new technology to share through open source software for the public and scientists alike. Produced by Collin Hughes Script & Narration by Frankie Caracciolo Audio by Elphick Wo P --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

Bo Bridges is a Los Angeles-based action, commercial and fine-art photographer whose work spans over two decades. Bo cut his teeth in film-based action photography before transitioning to the digital world, working with household names in professional sports, Hollywood, television and more. Oh, and on top of all that, he's an amazing storyteller. Listen to Bo share some of his most memorable experiences on the set of Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, on the cover of SURFER Magazine and in treacherous waters of Cordova, Alaska. See the full Sights & Sounds here. What is MAEKAN?

Born and raised in Toronto, Jamal Burger aka Jayscale has a penchant capturing the unique energy of everyday life found in big cities. After speaking with him, you soon find his soft-spoken—perhaps you could even say shy—demeanor and his philanthropic spirit are inseparable from his distinct black and white photography where simple but fleeting moments are frozen in time. The stark contrasts of each frame bring us into each urban sprawl and right beside their inhabitants. See the full Sights & Sounds here. What is MAEKAN? MAEKAN is a membership-based publication and community focused on the sights and sounds of creative culture. We're about learning, participating, and connecting wi --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

NOTE: This will be the last podcast we upload on this feed. Please subscribe to the new "MAEKAN It Up" feed. On MAEKAN It Up #027, we try to take a non-tech approach to the week's topic and land on how one lady is fighting to preserve her tribe's cuisine. It somehow ended up being a food-focused episode as we explored the future of airplane food.  How One Restaurant Owner Is Fighting for Her Tribe’s Cuisine Airline Food Conundrum – Paid Meals Winning Out Over Freebies Wikipedia: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall

It’s hard to quantify success when you’re starting out. Few people set out with a clear path or vision as to where they’ll end up in the future. The path becomes increasingly murky in the face of setbacks and challenges. From Seattle to Seoul, Jay Park set off to explore an opportunity in his motherland when things back home weren’t exactly rosy. Despite a shared ethnic origin, entering a new culture that’s not yours is in itself a harrowing experience. Integration and understanding your place in a foreign culture are critical towards your success and to determine your role and identity. Jay Park’s initial stint in Korea ended in controversy, where old social media comments were dug up and put in plain sight. It didn’t sit well amongst a country with immense national pride. After returning home to Seattle and working odd jobs to reorientate himself, it’s then --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

Edward Barnieh lives in Hong Kong working for Cartoon Network, but he’s gained notoriety on Instagram as a photographer (@edwardkb). Edward quickly amassed followers on Instagram in 2014 during the era of suggested users on the app, but he has retained a strong audience through continual dissatisfaction with his own abilities and seeking to push himself to improve. Listen to Edward talk about his favorite stories behind six of his photos and provide context for what happened before and after each shot. Edward discusses what makes these photos uniquely personal to him and reflects on what he might have done differently in these situations. See the full Sights & Sounds here. What is MAEKAN?

Edward Barnieh is a photographer currently based in Hong Kong who’s originally from the UK. He has been using Instagram since 2013 and has a verified account with 210,000 followers. He had no expectations when he first started using the app, and certainly didn’t think using it would lead to him becoming a well-known photographer. We live in an era where parents send their kids to summer camp for coaching on becoming social media hits, and where people aspire to amass enough of an online presence to merit sponsored holidays abroad. Edward wound up, by accident and not by design, into that life. Words and Narration by Charis Poon Audio by Elphick Wo Photos by Christopher Lim See the whole story

We live in a time and place where everything can be reviewed and researched. It doesn’t leave ourselves much opportunity to simply let things happen. Half on a whim and half on the trusted recommendation of a friend, Eugene took a trip to Hida, a sleepy town located in Japan’s Gifu prefecture. There, he connected with different minds from the world of tech, publishing, photography, and advertising over several days at Focus Hida. Technology has more than encroached in our lives; it’s often manipulated and influenced our values in the name of optimization. We exchange moments of surprise and the excitement of discovery for carefully scripted moments. When we figure out the underlying mechanisms, as we inevitably do, it’s an unsatisfying experience. Narration by Eugene Kan & Charis Poon Audio by Elphick Wo Photos by < --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

NOTE: We're migrating MAEKAN It Up to its own show feed. Search for the new feed "MAEKAN It Up" on your favorite podcast apps.  On MAEKAN It Up #026, we take an deep look into the recent FCC movements around Net Neutrality. At its core who will this affect and in what capacity? We also acknowledge a piece of #fakenews they inadvertently highlighted. Our second topic discusses whether kids and the youth deserve a pass for some of the ignorant things they say online. Shouldn't our youth be about making mistakes and learning?  Net Neutrality II: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Americans are spending Thanksgiving fighting for net neutrality

Marissa Louie, the founder of Animoodles, wanted to create a stuffed animal that children would love to keep and collect. She wanted to make a toy that childr --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

NOTE: We're migrating MAEKAN It Up to its own show feed. Search for the new feed "MAEKAN It Up" on your favorite podcast apps.  On MAEKAN It Up #025, we examine why we feel so compelled to put our hands on the artifacts at the museum and the purpose of touch in learning. Another topic we explore focuses on the factors that go into critical thought and the role of analysis and motivation.  Why Can’t People Stop Touching Museum Exhibits? To think critically, you have to be both analytical and motivated Could eating lik --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

  Gabriel Joseph and his partner Samuel Swanson made a calculated bet five years ago to open their very own club in Seoul's uniquely diverse area known as Itaewon. Not content with the work they were putting in for other promoters, they approached their original venture Cakeshop with a sense of direction and purpose that, to this day has proven to be unwavering. Between the two, Sam is at the musical helm, bringing international artists alongside hand-selecting local acts. Gabe serves as his foil, bringing together a cohesive brand identity and helping shape the venues into international music destinations. An opening in the building of Cakeshop allowed them to explore a second space, known as Contra. A decidedly more upscale approach to music and nightlife, if Cakeshop is the turnt-up little brother, Contra is the more mature, chill s --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

On MAEKAN It Up #024, we go in-depth into what merchandise means for "non-fashion" brands such as apps, journalists, magazines and more. Is merchandise the key towards unlocking a new and potent revenue stream? We also look at the dark and twisted world of YouTube for children and what responsibilities YouTube has in the space. New York Magazine rolls out apparel with ONLY NY Narduwar's T-shirt Overcast the podcast app drops merch line Thrasher Mag's Jake Phelps and his Interview with H --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

It's easy for many in Hong Kong to say the city lacks an alternate cultural scene, but the reality is there is one thriving down on the ground, behind the scenes and hidden in obscurity. For most starting brands, there’s a definite desire to struggle hard at the beginning, make the right contacts and sign on to work with big global brands seeking to gain traction in the metropolis. But as with any brand that staunchly adheres to its brand ethos come hell or high water, obscurity is simultaneously its biggest selling point and limiting factor. For, OKOKOK the street label started as a two-man operation and has stayed that way. We hear from creative head Leo and business guy Ah B about how a brand like their’s has held on and gradually built their brand while staying true to their vision. Script by Nathan Kan Narration --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support