Tony Moon, a self-described “OG Rooftop Korean,” (Roof Top Korean?) wrote a memoir about the Koreatown experience during the 1992 LA Riots. Even setting aside the obvious memes and all the symbology that term has accreted to itself over the years since, I’m looking forward to reading this.

Moon, who has appeared on any number of podcasts, television interviews, and the like, was born in what was then West Germany to South Koreans parents who met there as laborers. His father, who worked in coal mines, and his mother, who worked in nursing, were there as laborers under the Labor-for-Loan Agreement of 1963. They immigrated to the United States in 1977, and Tony grew to adulthood on the streets of South Central Los Angeles and Koreatown.

When the LA Riots erupted in 1992, he was 19. Though not actually a Koreatown shop owner (or the family of one), he went there to help a friend’s family protect their stereo equipment store on Hoover Street (and to patrol the neighborhood from looters and vandals).

Rooftop Korean: A Memoir of the 1992 L.A. Riots

“Walk the streets of Los Angeles as the verdict in a high-profile case ignites citywide tensions into chaos. With violence, looting, and arson gripping the neighborhoods, Korean American residents took to the rooftops to protect their businesses and homes.

Tony Moon was on the ground during the riots and recounts his time in the streets to head off trouble before it reached his community. 

Pick up your copy of Rooftop Korean: a Memoir of the 1992 L.A. Riots to see how a tight-knit group understood the mission. Be your own best defense, because no one is coming to save you.”

~ from the book description

Tony Moon’s memoir is published by our homies at Wargate Books. You can purchase a copy there, or order one on Amazon.

It’s always better to be informed than not (and reading is fundamental). I humbly suggest you add it to your list of books to read. We’ll have a book review for you soon.

You can follow Tony Moon on X at https://x.com/RoofKorean7 (@RooftopKorean7). He is also on LinkedIn.

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