When did you know what you wanted to be when you “grew up”. People always ask us, did you always want to be a “filmmaker”? I have an honest answer for that. “No”. I don’t even know if that’s what I am now. I never planned to do this (explain YouTube to an 8 yr old in 1992), I never had a burning passion from childhood to “make movies”. Maybe that’s why I often feel like I’m not the best example of an “aspiring director” or even an artist. There are others far more capable than I.

When I was in high school, and even college, I had NO idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was “undeclared” for 2 yrs. Most of you reading probably don’t know yourselves what you want to be yet. Most likely because, as you may not believe, you are not yet “grown up”. I’m here to tell you, it’s ok if you don’t know right now. Some of us out there are lucky to be able to say, “I always knew I wanted to be a doctor, or singer, or whatever.” If you’re not one of them, like me, …breathe. You’ll be fine.

People commend WFP for chasing our passion. Did I do that? I don’t know, I chased..something. But I became passionate about it. People commend us for being great role models and inspirations because we pursued the arts. Well, ya kno…this world needs inspiring accountants, engineers, and corporate cogs too, and that could be you.

What’s the point of this? I dunno…sometimes, I don’t think we’re THAT special, because we all are, or can be.

THANK YOU TO FAR*EAST MOVEMENT, who without them, there would be no ISA. I wonder if people really understand, this whole ISA thing was literally done by the 3 of us sitting down with the 4 of them and creating this show. (Ok that may be over simplifying because we had a LOT of help, that’ll come later). But really, these guys are so hardworking, so true, and so humble themselves that it has been such an honor and privelage to work with them. And for them to look at us the same, equally means so much to us. The night before the show, it hit me… this was our THIRD ISA concert in the past yr (the first one was 9/7/08 so we just made it). From LA, to SF, back to LA… it’s been an incredible year. 3?! that’s not normal, haha. I really don’t know how we did it. which leads us to the next section…

Thank you to 4C the Power for putting on great workshops that we were so glad to take part in. For helping us give back to the community. For being the hands and feet for ISA by finding volunteers and volunteering yourselves. It means so much to us. Support like yours is really what keeps us going.

Thank you DIANA and LINDA for being the masterminds. This time around was soooo much easier on us and FM all because of your hardwork and diligence. Trust us, it doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. You girls are the true stars of ISA before all of us.
THANK YOU, THE FANS AND SUPPORTERS. How did we pull of 3 major, sold out concerts w/in one single year? Yeah, a lotta hard work on our part, but ultimately because you guys bought the tickets. You guys told your friends and spread the word. You guys were in the crowds and online cheering for us. I don’t know if we’ll be able to do another three concerts this coming year, but for sure there will be more ISAs, bigger, better, and outside of CA we promise…haha, as long as we have you out there to fill up the seats and help build this movement.

Alright, enough of the mushy stuff… here are some select photos I went through for all the lazy busy ppl who didn’t wanna sift through the bazillion pics from Shinobi. THANK YOU SHINOBI STUDIOS for your AMAZING work. Your photos truly stand out and give ISA the imagery that propels it forward.

THANK YOU to our HOSTS, Tom Ngo and Lydia Paek. Tom, you are the truth. Period. Lydia, you are such a natural and your personality really brightened the theater. Hope to work with you more!

Clara Chung our JCP Breakout Performer contest winner opening the show with an original song of hers! We drove her to the concert in a limosine.

Then GLP took the stage. They sang some 90s covers which gave them super cool points right off the bat.

G is for Gabe Bondoc! His style is so awesome.

L is for Leejay, the beatboxer of the group who did some crazy stuff…plus he could dance really well as he showed off at the end of the show.

P is for Passion. He was at our last ISA in SF. So good to have him back.

Kina Grannis graced the stage next, singing a couple of her songs. I think the whole theater got chills. She’s sucha sweet girl… who you miiiight be seeing in a future WF short! oops, leaked.

Quest Crew was up next and…they were just phenomenal.

Victor Kim doing the unthinkable.

There’s a reason we put Quest right before intermission. It’s because no one could follow them. They had the whole audience on their feet, and this is just halfway into the concert!! I’m so glad we were able to bring them back this year… we had them at the first ISA, before they were the ABDC champions! So proud of them.

KevJumba took the stage next. Yup, in the flesh. The crowd went crazy for him and his antics.

Tom and him did a little skit, looks like they’re getting angry!! haha. In the back you can see Derrick…he’s the one that made the amazing ISA trailer. We flew him in from Seattle as our way to say thanks. Kev brought him on stage as an added bonus.

David Choi, what else can I say that I didn’t already. Did you read my last post. I still get a little emotional when I watch the clip of him performing and everyone sings along.

And to close out the show the way no one else can…the one and only Far*East Movement. I can’t believe how far they’ve come in just the past year. Since the first ISA, they’ve done some amazing things. Song top 4 on the radio, national mainstream radio play, performing at Powerhouse with BEP, Pitbull, and JAY-Z! Truly a blessing to see them still so humble and driven.

KevNish

J-Spliff

Prohgress

They brought everyone back out on stage for the finale song “Girls on the Dance Floor” and everyone was just rockin out and celebrating on stage. It was truly a grand finale to the whole night. For an even more indepth look at the concert and what happened before and after, check out FM’s recap. 

Oh yeah…and these guys.

Mission accomplished. This was a loooong post. I’m spent. One last Thank you. This past week has been epic. …to be continued.

1000 fans and supporters + Palace of Fine Arts + two FAT spotlights + artists = SUPER AWESOMELY SUCCESSFUL ISA CONCERT

1 GreenRoom Pass =  1 autographed poster = AP
AP x ~80 + 30min til doors open = sore hands

WF + Passion^awesome talent = possible collab in future?

(Tom Neezy + WF x awkward )  + much love/respect = FM’s intro

ISA – Far*East Movement = nothing

Jin^legendary + WF + on stage callout = future music video!!

Paul Dateh + FM + WF + FM street team + Hungry stomachs x 30 + after show + Mel’s Diner on Van Ness = post concert delicious meal

Todd Angkasuwan ^pro mv director + WF + Jin + FM + “Millionaire” + Green Scree / mamaD = new music video production

Day after ISA / (4C the Power + 5 workshops / 1 video production + 10 students + WF) = WF’s first “class”

WF + FM + Jin + Paul Dateh + Passion + (Tom + Jessi Malay)/hosts + (Della + Meme + Glenda)/dance + Linda + Jane + Diana + [(Soompi + AllKPop + AngryAsianMan + ChannelAPA + SlantEye + more) x awesome]/support + 1000 glow sticks + you reading + NG girl in front row = inspiring

I’m sure you guys have heard a lot about our next International Secret Agents Concert.  This is the poster I slapped together for the concert.  Borrowed a lot of elements from the first poster, but all in all I think/hope this one is a bit more solid.  It sure was tricky fitting all the necessary information on this thing.  Well, you should find (most) all the details about the event on March 20th in SF on this poster.  Keep reading to see the poster in its entirety or visit www.internationalsecretagents.com to BUY TICKETS now!

[colors are a bit off due to RGB vs CMYK]