EVA CHOW
Cultural Icon & Founder of KHEE Soju
Eva Chow, is a woman of art, fashion, and film. She was born in Seoul, Korea. At the age of 11, she became a child protege studying water color painting under two master artists, Yi Dang, Kim Eun Ho, and So Jung, Byun Kwan Sik. However, at the age of 16, her family had to emigrate to America which changed the course of her original dream of becoming a painter.
In America, Eva worked as a successful fashion designer in NY, and owned and operated the world-famous restaurant, Mr Chow. Eva joined the board of trustees at Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2007 where she co-founded and continues to chair the Art and Film Gala with Leonardo DiCaprio in 2011. The success of the gala continues to draw guests from all around the world.
Always missing her motherland, she now splits her time between Los Angeles and Seoul. Eva founded KHEE Soju in hopes of sharing part of her Korean heritage and culture with the rest of the world. Created and directed by Eva, KHEE(氣)—meaning “energy” in Korean—connects with her philosophy of believing in good energy. KHEE is derived from Eva’s Korean name “HEE” and middle initial “K” to form KHEE.
She set out to collaborate with a Korean master soju maker to create an exclusive premium soju and elected to revive and uphold soju’s treasured Korean heritage by brewing in the most traditional form. KHEE premium soju is distilled with 100% rice and natural rock water collected from 150 meters underground. It is kept in microporous Onggi earthenware for 180 days without utilizing any artificial additives. KHEE has a smooth distinct fragrance that is complemented by an elegant finish with exceptional character.
With much success, KHEE is currently being sold throughout the U.S. and S. Korea with Eva’s hopes to one day make Korean national soju to be deemed one of the spirit categories throughout the world.
HALL OF FAME ESSAY
I'm very honored that Yoshiki is here to introduce me. I'd like to thank Asian Hall of Fame organizers; I think it's very very important that we have our own celebration so to speak. I came to this country as a teenager and I really didn't have that much Asian context or I didn't really have a belonging in Asian Community but to be here tonight, it's great time to be Asian and I really appreciate everyone here to support everybody else. I can see a lot of support in this room. I'd like to thank my daughter, I'd like to thank Asian Hall of Fame organizers, and thank you very much for this evening.
Eva Chow at Asian Hall of Fame 20th Induction Ceremony
“When you are thrown in the water, you learn to swim.”
– EVA CHOW
