Team Do!Boo! Interview from ASN
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"It all began last Chusok* over mandu* as they planned to "take over the world" with their personal stories."
Go Team Do!Boo!
by Win-Sie Tow
It all began last Chusok* over mandu* as they planned to "take over the world" with their personal stories. Expressing non-traditional views on relationships--"I was just his eye candy"-- to transnational adoption--"People thought I was my family's tour guide"-- to Korean American identity--"I never quite fit in"--, Team Do!Boo!, a Korean American female art gang, fearlessly tackles the stereotypes they embody. A compelling debut performance at last April's "Mish Mash Variety Nite" at the Beat Kitchen introduced five prominent team members: Mia Park, Kori Wiltz, Stephanie Willis, Laura Gannarelli, and Nana Mun.
ASN had the privilege of gaining more insight into the team's formation, comaraderie, and future. Don't miss their performance at the Chicago Cultural Center's Randolph Cafe on Thursday, May 13. For more details, visit http://www.teamdoboo.com/
(* "Chusok" is the Korean Thanksgiving, which usually falls around September. "Mandu" are Korean dumplings. "Do Boo" is Korean for tofu.)
ASN: Besides the five of you, who are the other members in your gang?
MP: There are about 20 Korean American art women on the Team Do!Boo! email list. About 12 have attended meetings and five (more to come) are performing.
ASN: How did you get involved? Do you welcome women of other ethnicities to join as well or is it solely by Korean American women?
NM: Mia really brought us all together. I'd been a fan of hers and started talking to her at a show. I told her we should hang out because I'm Korean, and she told me about the gang, and I loved the idea. But I, in general, love being a part of gangs (this is gang three for me). I would like to keep the group Korean because including other Asians would contribute to the idea that all of us are alike.
ASN: What do you want your audiences to come away with after seeing a performance?
KW: I want the audience to be more aware that all Korean American women aren't quiet, submissive, or materialistic. For me personally, I want the Asian audience to realize that adult Korean adoptees do exist and to recognize us as members of the Korean American community.
SW: I'm just doing this for fun--frankly I'm in it for myself. I don't know shit about the culture so this is my way of learning it. I'm actually getting more out of it than the audience.
LG: I never thought in a million years I would be sharing my story. Only in the past few months did I tell my friends whom I have known for over 10 years what my first few years in Korea were like. But I feel by sharing my story, I am healing. And I can also help others to not judge first when they see other. Hopefully by my telling others of who I am, the stereotypes will get pushed to the wayside.
NM: Thanks to past experience, I feel that most white or black Americans who see someone Asian instantly assumes that they are not American. The emphasis is always on the Asian never on the American. I would like audiences to leave our performance with the desire emphasizing the American.
ASN: How is Team Do!Boo! different from other groups/gangs you have been a part of?
MP: Team Do!Boo! is super personal. I've never discussed personal Korean American issues, like growing up in a bi-cultural violent household, publically before. We're all sharing very personal issues at the mic, and this is new for all of us!
ASN: How do you come up with performance ideas/monologues? How have your relations with your family changed as a result of forming this group?
SW: We changed the script from a performance based show to a reader style show. I guess we decided the reader style was more us. My parents kind of know about this group, but they never saw the performance, nor will they ever. This is a thing for me, not my family.
ASN: What do you like to do in your free time? Where was the last place you went to for fun?
KW: I like to spend time with my friends and family. If I have money I love to travel. The last place I went to for fun was the Fireside Bowl to see a band called the Casual Dots.
LG: I like to take long bike rides. I read constantly, from fiction to history to biographies. Currently, I am reading more Asian themed books. Guess you could say I am finally interested in my culture and want to learn more.
ASN: What is your day job?
NM: I'm a preschool teacher, a daycare assistant, and a salon assistant (that one's just for fun). Starting in June, I'll be working on my Master's Degree in Teaching for Elementary Education.
LG: I am a graphic designer, and I own my own company. I did the Team Do!Boo! logo.
SW: I go to Columbia College for Photography. I work at Innjoy as a server/cocktail waitress at night, and thanks to Mia, I just got a job at Schubas as a cocktail server.
KW: I teach ESL three nights a week, and besides Team Do!Boo! I am somewhat involved with a Chicago Korean American female adoptee group.
MP: I have, like, 9 day jobs. Acting jobs include: print jobs, commercial work, promotions. I curate a variety show at the Beat Kitchen. I work in the office at Delilah's, an awesome rock bar. I bartend at Schubas Tavern. I'm in many rock bands: 1 main band, 1 hobby band, 3 pick-up bands. I do focus groups. Whew.