DEAD MALL - KOREATOWN PLAZA - LOS ANGELES CA

[@fisitron7256]

This mall feels like a fever dream. I love it. The neon, the colors, the decor, everything.

[@ignazs.5816]

Pre-covid that place was poppin'! Korean people are very social and they were there all the time, eating desserts. It's definitely Covid19 related why it's so dead!

[@MJA5]

yeah, if you've ever been to Korea, the Koreans are very active and mobile throughout the cities, the street food and vendors of stuff you just can't find anywhere else in the world, plus amazing sights and cool neon, etc. When you are a westerner there, you stand out, but nobody really pays attention, everyone has their own thing going on. It's very cool.

[@JC-xi3rm]

Personally, I only saw the older Korean people. It doesn't seem to be that big of an attraction with the younger korean audience.

[@ken_9359]

No it wasn't. I've been to this place when it was first built and it's always been dead. Especially if you compare it to the Montebello Mall. The market is busy but inside the mall is pretty much the same as before.

[@SalAvenue]

Malls in LA county are supposed to be operating at 25% capacity which partially explains the thin crowds.

[@macdre6392]

I remember visiting this place 2 years back! It was definitely busier than this, I remember this neat golf shop here that still had a vintage green backdrop. I believe this mall was on the Fresh Prince of Bell Air and on another movie from the 90s as well.

[@jonhaskins617]

Fresh Prince was filmed in the Valley as well as Century City mall

[@rc653]

I remember when my friend and I also visited this plaza during our LA trip. We had a fun time.

[@regand7830]

I'm a Los Angeles native, driving up Western Ave, I've seen this for years. Passed by it hundreds of times, but never stopped in there. Ah well...lots of things changing a lot around here.

[@Route66er]

Same. Born and raised in Los Angeles. Drove/ drive by this place, always wanted to stop by but never have. 😢

[@danefilander6306]

Absolutely amazing mall thank you so very much Anthony for sharing this wonderful video I absolutely loved the 1980s style theme of this mall.

[@XDHelloViidaXD]

I’m falling in love with Vaporwave aesthetics all over again 😌✨💜

[@devlinfan]

This mall is awesome and the food courts in either mall are yummy. Plus the supermarket.

[@VibeVixen02]

The lonely saxophone echo really brings it home

[@Mazuahaa]

before covid this place was always busy. the food court stalls are all open and busy. its nice to visit in the summertime when its too hot outside. there are two other malls/shopping centers in the area but this one is most welcoming, well built and maintained. Its been for sale for over a year now though..who knows whats next.

[@brucesumter4327]

wow this mall is so cool lots things was still open ty ace's did good job :)

[@edwardkim8972]

The super market there and the food court keeps this place afloat. There are two other malls in Koreatown, Los Angeles: Galleria Plaza and 6th Street Plaza. It usually does okay before covid.

[@violetw2653]

I love the grocery store in the middle of this mall omg how cool!

[@MJA5]

Very cool video of a unique place, for sure!

[@MadMedik1]

Have become a daily viewer, catching up all the dead mall videos. Thank you for doing this! Your videos in Iowa (home state) and Rochester area (current home) hit me right in the nostalgic heart.

[@AcesAdventures1]

I’ve never been to Iowa lol

[@MadMedik1]

@@AcesAdventures1 oops. That’s embarrassing. Watched ALL THE DEAD MALLS way too quickly. Definitely impressed with Irondequcit and Marketplace videos.

[@jeee1074]

Really cool place. The market vaguely reminds me of the Fiesta Marts in the Houston and Austin areas. Flashing signs and neon lights inside and outside of the stores. There are foods and products from all over the world along with standard USA brands. You have to come down to Houston one day soon to check some of the markets and dying malls. 3 Malls are currently on life support, West Oaks, Greenspoint, and Macroplaza which is especially endangered after losing the last Houston area Sears a couple of weeks ago.

[@lisazoria2709]

I've lived in LA my entire life and have never been to this mall, gotta change that asap! Looks really cool, the late 80's is my favorite era of mall aesthetics and this place looks right up my alley. It seems I vaguely remember passing by a couple times, but idk why I never thought to go in. Great vid, thanks for bringing this place to my attention!

[@bobbiejostowe6431]

That's really neat seeing a grocery store in a mall brought back so many memories but i have never seen a grocery store in a mall before

[@rodneyslater7924]

Come to Buena Park, Orange County. Beach Blvd. The Source shopping area at Beach and Orangethorpe. Many Korean business, dining and specialty stores along Beach Blvd North into La Habra. There’s even a Korean Karaoke business next to Denny’s at Beach Blvd and Imperial Highway.

[@SLone3251]

Buena Park is definitely nearly all Korean. And the issue w/ The Source is that it was dead on arrival. Supposed tenants all pulled out due to the delay in the construction of that place and it's still like 70% empty. The Hilton was never completed either.

[@celsovera91]

@@SLone3251 I live in Anaheim which is 10 minutes away from Buena Park. If you go to the source there’s parts of the mall that are still unopened. I remember when they announced the Hilton back in 2015. To this day it’s never been opened

[@SLone3251]

@@celsovera91 Yeah, The Source is a bust. Most people go to get coffee, eat at the restaurants, and take wall art pictures and that's it. The most action I've seen there was when there was a Christian worship concert. The parking structure is half used by the BMW and Tesla dealers nearby to store vehicles.

[@Craig_Spurlock]

I really love Little Tokyo and Chinatown, but I have never spent any time in Koreatown. I shall have to change that.

[@rudedog7615]

Didn’t even know Korea town existed

[@UnknownCaller]

honored to have my music featured in this! fits the dead mall aesthetic perfectly 💫

[@AcesAdventures1]

Absolutely and I hope you don’t mind me using it, i always give credit, sets the mood so well 😁

[@aaronturner1072]

Your music is amazing!!! @Ace's Adventures great pick for background. Unknown Caller...sub'd to your channel.

[@UnknownCaller]

@@aaronturner1072 thanks for the love!

[@XDHelloViidaXD]

Your music is beautiful

[@paulsteel9127]

That food court is pure Rolling Acres nostalgia. The entire Plaza has a very 80's feel to it. I like to go in there to bask in the ambience in addition to shopping.

[@nak8327]

Used to live a block from that mall. The rent was $800 in 2009.

[@jeremyud]

It's probably twice that now.

[@RichardHernandez-pz7bt]

I live by that mall the rent is $1,500 now lol

[@Haveyoueverbeenswallowed]

Should’ve bought a house, you could’ve multiplied your initial investment 10x in that area. If rent doubled, the house prices doubled or tripled at minimum. Wish I lived in CA to buy homes but I own a few in my state 🙃 and CA is now outside my budget.

[@jimreiter2648]

I visited this mall a few times 15 plus years ago... I attended a special FX makeup school down the street at Wilshire and Western..... not a bad area over all by LA standards.... the mall itself very nice and well kept...

[@andrewstanley903]

I love how the fountain and the elevator were designed together. I wish more malls had this.

[@staceykim93]

Back in the 90s and early 2000's, this was the place to stop by when going to LA from the OC if you're Korean! OC didn't have as many Korean stores/markets as they do now and even if they did, LA always got the "latest" things imported from S.Korea while OC had to wait months, even years. I remember visiting this mall as a kid and it was PACKED. The last time I went was probably a year or so ago. It was much less busier than in the past, but I wouldn't call it "dead" because everyone still goes there for the market and food court (at least pre-covid). Enjoyed this video!

[@chellastation]

I remember my sister and I would be excited whenever my mom said that we were going to the mall. my older sister would go to Hottopic and Spencers and I would go into Claire's and find any mall pet stores. The malls in Florida were the best. The last time I went to the mall was last year, after the restrictions were loosen, I went into a Hottopic, but it was just as empty as the mall itself. They had an arcade, but no one was in it, and the there was no employees around. It's weird because I would think they would close off the section, so no one would touch the games, but I went in there and never got in trouble. Oh well.

[@pilotgrrl1]

H Mart is a popular Korean/Asian supermarket chain with branches nationwide. I've shopped H Mart in Chicago and Dallas.

[@poupee9564]

Dear Ace,as usual,happy to join you on more.

[@AlexTrinh93]

The ceiling in the food court of this mall reminds me of the ceiling in the food court of the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, CA.

[@dante340]

This mall was a lot more lively before Covid. Used to come here quite often to eat/take photos. I love the retro aesthetic and I'm really hoping that it doesn't get some lame modern redevelopment like most other malls in the LA area.

[@nicholash1278]

i hope it comes back to life. the asian community in southern california help keep a lot of malls alive by opening stores and shopping / eating there more than white americans.

[@jnuval]

My favorite part of the mall is the food court. Some of the vendors give HUGE portions for VERY affordable prices.

[@jameschin4471]

I have been there but the food court few store was very nice food and they served very fast lot of Korean people in lunch time and I didn't now they start business on 1987 that mean it almost over ten years ago few store was gone it was very sad 😢 I loved it very much!!

[@sophia-ui6bu]

Wow That white car at beginning is mine and my parents are the elderly couple at the beginning. 😂We go to this mall almost everyday. It has great food court. It is usually very lively and full

[@sockjean2967]

I always come here with my friends to the music store near hmart. The first time I came here was in 2017 and honestly there was a lot more people and liveliness then now. Gives off a nostalgic feel and I hope it doesn’t shut down to soon

[@scottonasch8819]

It wasn't ringing a bell at all but when you showed the outside I think I've driven by it. I may have to check it out sometime in the after times. I think it would be fun to browse that grocery store. Glad you got to come back hope it was.a nice trip!

[@Hispandinavian]

I'm taking a train trip out west this summer. I'll be in Korea town on my birthday. I've seriously considered checking out that mall.

[@zzegnas]

Good to see this here, I can't tell you how many times I visited this place when I first found out about it in 2018! The food court was always hectic and difficult to try and find a seat at any time of the day, even up to closing hours! One of the stores there that I didn't see is Music Plaza, which caters to the kpop crowd (though I understand if you didn't film it, they have a strict no photo policy); that place was always full pre-covid.

[@samanthalucas8070]

ACE’S ADVENTURES I BELIEVE THIS MALL WAS ON FRESH PRINCE OF BELL AIR THAT WAS MY FAVORITE TV SHOW

[@Decade8Media]

Always a pleasure on a Friday night. Love the asthetics.

[@Mikeshik]

Gallery at market east vibes here it's a direct clone of that old mall in Philly

[@YukariOshimaFan1992]

I highly recommend Koreatown Video on the first floor by the grocery on the right side. You can find factory sealed VHS tapes and Korean dramas on VHS and DVDs. I went there before and it's a cool place for K-Drama fans and VHS fans alike. Unfortunately, most of the dramas are from 2018 to 2020 on VHS. No Anime, no 80's K-Dramas, just modern dramas.

[@ameliajones9827]

Is it still there?

[@YukariOshimaFan1992]

@@ameliajones9827 Not sure. It's been 5 years and I was there during vacation.

[@versnellingspookie]

How cool would to it be to have an infite mall simulator, sort of like that game LSD Dream Emulator

[@taesu8]

Stupid notification did not work. Great video nevertheless. I saw the gradual decline of the mall over the years as well. I remember how crowded it was during the 1990 when I was still living in the Koreatown.

[@swallace8182]

I would love to go grocery shopping at this place!

[@jameschin4471]

LAST PORT WAS VERY FUNNY HAHA 🤣

[@Rahshu]

What was the opening music, and who was the original artist before it underwent the vaporwave treatment? I loved it! This mall looks cool. I love malls that actually keep their character. White malls are so boring. H-Mart is a great place, too. One just opened up in my neighborhood.

[@booksalmighty]

Great videos keep up the great work

[@thewanderingghost]

Wow....I'm putting this place on my mall roster.

[@rra7490]

I live nearby but never went to that mall, looks pretty cool and I love HMart. The chip section always has the best chips that you can’t get at a regular supermarket.

[@SalAvenue]

Did you make it out to Puente Hills Mall (Back to the Future mall)? it’s been dying for years and it’s even worse now that the large Forever 21 is now closed.

[@SLone3251]

Puente Hills is my local mall that I grew up going to. It is more dead now due to COVID, I can say probably 60% of the mall is empty. Pre-pandemic it only had traffic due to Round One, Forever 21, and AMC.

[@celsovera91]

I went there last month and it was super dead. Both the Sears and forever 21 have closed down. AMC and Round1 bowling is temporarily shut due to Covid. The only department stores that remain is Ross, Burlington coat factory (former JCPenney) and Macy’s (former Robinsons/Robinsons-May)

[@SalAvenue]

@@SLone3251 same here, been going to PHM since the 80s. When there was a McDonalds on the lower level JC Penny wing. Also before Forever 21, it was a CompmUSA training center. My work sent me there to learn Excel in the 90s.

[@SLone3251]

@@celsovera91 Yeah, PHM has been on a decline since the mid-2000s. A renovation helped freshen the space up but only added tons of couches for mall walkers and the elderly to nap at. I think 2007-2008, my senior year of high school, was when the mall really ran its last good legs. Gameworks/Tilt died down a little before this time I believe, as did Borders, really killing the vibe of the mall (these were all in the "hot" wing where AMC stood as an anchor). I remember an Orange Julius/Dairy Queen being where H&M is now. Round One has been the only new place bringing in foot traffic the past decade. There have been wall murals of artist renderings (I'm sure you've seen) of a supposed major renovation and redesign since 2018 but we all know it won't happen.

[@SLone3251]

@@SalAvenue You def have a decade on me. I don't even know what used to be in the F21 space. I briefly recall a JC Penney. I just remember when the mall used to have koi ponds, and before that, in the early-90s, that pinkish tile and brown wooden benches in the center of the mall. I remember when AMC opened too. Sad how the mall has died. Brea Mall and Westfield Santa Anita stepped their game up and left PHM in the dust. Search for a guy named Gilbert Arciniega on KZbin here; he has a video of the PHM from 1989. You may recognize a lot of stuff.

[@darbat]

I used to live in Koreatown at 8th and Western from 2013-2018. For the first two years, I did not know this place was a mall, since there’s no US name brands or obvious signs outside that this was a “mall.” This mall definitely caters to the Korean community because most stores were Korean/Asian brands. I enjoyed it though. Generally, I took my clothes to that Alterations and Dry Cleaners that you passed by at 1:37.

[@candievermeulen9858]

Love the footage

[@cynthiamartinez48]

It's been a while since this video. I'm going to LA in less than two weeks, is this place more active now?

[@2tonesg]

yeh, it's full now

[@BendawgLJ]

There's not a lot of footage, but this looks so much like Crossroads Plaza formerly part of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. 😯 H-Mart is pretty cool; we are fortunate to have a few in this area. They basically step in and don't change much.

[@Melvin-belvin]

Check out the mall in little Tokyo in downtown LA. Even more dead. Super dark and depressing even during the day.

[@notsimbasdad]

This is my local mall, I’ve always gone when it’s dead like this it’s the best

[@XMattingly]

Color me naive - what about this video seems like a setup for anyone to insert their politics into it? It’s an interesting space, and that food court is pretty sweet. Always appreciate walkthroughs of these great, dying spaces that have been a cornerstone of social interaction & commerce for decades, and that Anthony/Ace keeps his presentations pretty tight. 10-15 minutes seems like the sweet spot for this subject matter.

[@nicholash1278]

IDK but people who move to california from China or Korea tend to like malls. A lot of the malls here in southern california have a ton of asian brands you don't see in other parts of the country.

[@AlexTrinh93]

This is the Arirang Plaza featured in Grand Theft Auto V. Only if Rockstar Games made an interior of this mall along with Rockford Plaza based off of real-life Beverly Center. 😭

[@smokiewolf]

This one looks like it’s on life support

[@OriginalNethead]

That Korean supermarket.... it looks DANGEROUS. Did you see those giant jars of Kimchee???? If they let me in there, take my credit cards away first!

[@BleuSaphir]

I can tell from pre covid, this place was bustling with traffic. I think now covid hit hard with this mall. I used to eat at the food court all the time coming to Koreatown.

[@meanswellmostofthetime]

The mall sold in Oct. 2022. Wonder what the plan would be. remodel, teardown etc.

[@hellogoodbritt]

This mall is great! Pre-covid I went there frequently, but since covid, it has been very dead. To be honest, most of the foot traffic in that mall is on the ground floor due to the food court, bakeries, and market. I really hope nothing happens to it...it's by far the best mall out of the others on Western in the area.

[@dragonproofs6789]

*video walks by jars and jars of kimchi* *drools* kimchiiiiiiiii how i miss you

[@KINGRG1]

I recognize that bass line..

[@matthewschoerverth4566]

I’ve never heard about this Korean Mall. The Food Court was about the Korean Food Restaurant, I’ve also never heard different shops in Korean. Do more malls and work it out for your future. I have enjoy watching your videos from the beginning of the COVID 19 to now that some malls are thriving and some malls aren’t.

[@juiceIb]

This music smackin 😎😎😎😎

[@XDHelloViidaXD]

A place like this will for sure empty my bank account

[@sweetzmatcha]

before covid everyone and their mom was here

[@reginaldb.campbelljr.2492]

It looks good 👍

[@leannbrooks218]

Good job Anthony

[@jemanalcala3344]

What is the name of the jazz song from the beginning?

[@Blackpanthersrevenge]

We need to know the artists music. Please tell us what the song titles are. Thanks.

[@AcesAdventures1]

It was listed on screen?

[@XDHelloViidaXD]

It’s so beautiful

[@ocnus1.61]

Super vaporwave

[@realtv01]

upgrade or not it still doesn't look bad for the age.

[@candievermeulen9858]

Nice footage

[@hamradiotimes5586]

Now used as walking center for seniors, there is your homeless issue fixed make it into a homeless complex

[@nicksbubblegum]

You should of went to the first floor where Music Plaza is. Plenty of foot traffic there. You barely glossed over it in this vid at the end of it. Because of COVID I have to order online. Would travel from San Diego to go to Music Plaza and Choice Music(at the OTHER mall you mentioned in Korea town) miss going to both malls. 😕

[@jeremysomeone]

Not a single recognizable brand name store.

[@bradklingensmith]

Verizon was about it.

[@nasirb3914]

That is part of the charm.

[@SalAvenue]

It caters to the surrounding community.

[@youngyankee13]

What about Rolex?

[@WhittyPics]

There is a Rolex shop. Must be more upscale? Kind of hard to eat at the food court with no tables at all. Malls around here have removed some tables but half or a third are still there. That has to kill those food businesses

[@THEGROOVYGOD]

Song?

[@supermanuel7779]

Beautiful mall... It shows the Plandemic results like no food court tables, covered drinking fountains & masks... I feel for the businesses here...Do they even make any profits???!!!... 😞

[@daryaabdollahzadeh7316]

Anyone ever told you you sound like Dan Bell????

[@timtriolo]

Beautiful mall with plenty of stores. Why is it dead? They have a lot of skin care stores, and the Korean skincare movement, referred to as K-beauty is all the rave right now. This place should be packed! I really don't get it.

[@jnuval]

If I remember correctly, the mall was put up for sale by the owners.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool 😀

[@flintfireforge7360]

Korea mall offer me ten fortune cookie, I said ten in not a lucky number. They offered me eleven fortune cookie, when I return.

[@JackieTrainwreck]

Ktown plaza used to pop

[@ąŋཞ]

lmao i go there for kpop albums

[@jonhaskins617]

Must have been a hidden mall as well. I've lived in Los Angeles not far from this mall for 43 years and never heard of it. H Mart is a Chinese market around the L.A. area, mostly in Asian neighborhoods. Most of them are larger supermarket sized like Ralphs or Kroger's.

[@geepark9075]

H Mart is a Korean market. It's short for Korean word Hanareum which means bountiful.

[@sprkl5d]

Do you have PayPal?? I've had nothing but problems with Patreon . I cancelled my support for your channel through them. No matter how many times i update my bank info its not charging my card. They are idiots and there's no way to call or to talk to anyone. Please let me know if you have PayPal.

[@AcesAdventures1]

I do, and thank you! [e-mail]

[@boab1980]

Why are you travelling to LA in the middle of a pandemic? Stay at home!!

[@AcesAdventures1]

You stay home Robert, I am done staying at home, Are you going to pay my bills for me?....We are not in the middle of a pandemic, if you read the news, you would see we are on our way out of this....

[@youngyankee13]

Pandemic who?

[@danielmoore62]

Why the porn music?

[@AcesAdventures1]

It’s called vaporwave

[@flintfireforge7360]

Korea mall said my fortune is in another cookie.

[@smokiewolf]

This one looks like it’s on life support