Nate: Okay, so let’s start with the basics. What’s your name?
Joe: Joseph Dong-Woo Chang

How old are you?
28.

You’re 28?!
Yeah!

I didn’t know that.
How old did you think I was?

Wait, where are you from?
Korea.

Where in Korea?
Hey, I’m not really from Korea. My parents were from Korea. I was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and I grew up in, around Portland, Oregon.

Really?
Yeah.

So are you a hippie?
Uh.. No.
Are you an environmentalist? A conservative?
Conservative in what way?
I don’t know how. You tell me how you Portland-ers think.
No, Portland is a very liberal city.
Oh, is that right?
Do you litter a lot?
No, I don’t litter a lot.
Nice, very Portland of you.
So, you went to high school in Portland?
Near Portland.

So what’d you do for college?
Came down here. Went to California Institute of the Arts.
Oh, in Valencia. How’d you like that?
It was really fun.
Yeah? Despite the fact that Valencia sucks?
Yeah, but the people there were fun.

What was your major?
Uhm, it’s kind of hard to say. There are different schools at Cal Arts, and my school was Film/Video and my program was Character Animation, so I think that would be my major, character animation.

And you like animation.
Yeah.
It’s fun.
Yeah.

Doesn’t it get tiring drawing frame after frame of the same thing?
Yeah.
But you enjoy that?
I do.

So like something that would seem really mundane and boring to other people, you find it exciting.
It is because I see, it’s what I see. It’s what’s going to happen after that affects me, that keeps me working a 100%.
So you’re only focusing on the end product.
Yeah.
Nice.

What do you do right now?
I work.
Who do you work for?
A small company.

Is there anything you’ve done that’s particularly notable?
The only notable things I’ve done are animation for Curious George.
So you drew cells for Curious George?
We don’t really use cells anymore, it’s all digital. We draw it on paper and then we scan it onto the computer.
And then you edit it on the computer?
Yeah, but the animators do that.

In a movie, about how many frames are there?
Well, you’re going to have to do the math.
Each second is maybe 24 frames, and there’s 60 seconds in a minute. And on average, you draw a drawing only about every one or two frames, mostly two frames.
So it’s like 720 drawings per minute? I don’t know. You do the math.

I don’t actually like math, I actually hate math.

So you drew a lot when you were little?
Yeah. I liked to design cars and spaceships and stuff like that.

So, would you say doodling was an art to you?
I didn’t really see it as art.

You didn’t see it as art, you just saw it as a way to pass the time?
Well, I never really thought of myself as an artist.

What do you see yourself as? As you’ve moved to LA and started drawing for a living, what would you define yourself as?
Someone who happens to draw.
I think an artist is someone who really, uh.. Has something they want to express.
Like a vision.
Yeah, like a vision. Something really heartfelt. I’m not necessarily like that.

So you feel you don’t have a vision with your art? You just do it?
Spontaneously almost?
I would just say my visions aren’t really profound yet. I’m not saying I’ll never be an artist, but right now, not really.
My goal of my drawings right now isn’t to express myself, but to entertain others.
That’s cool.

So, when did you become a Christian Joe Chang?
Now we get into the deep questions, the deep stuff.
I grew up in a Christian family and I would say I always believed in Jesus but it wasn’t until later in high school, no no, earlier in high school, that I decided to really follow Jesus in a real way, because before it was sort of abstract. I think it was after a winter retreat that I made that decision to follow Jesus.

But that was kind of a decision, but I didn’t really follow through with it. Later in high school, I had a friend that really challenged my faith. He was a really strong believer and was the first person I saw that actually lived out his faith outside of church.

So when did you start getting, not necessarily involved in praise music, but when did you start playing guitar. You taught yourself right?
Yeah. I just kind of learned from friends and stuff. That was in college, about 2000? I would just grab my friend’s guitar and kind of mess around.

I didn’t actually learn guitar for praise music, I was just messing around. It just to learn those cool little pop songs, you know like “More than Words”. I think that was my first song.

“More than words”? Who’s that by?
Uh.. Street something? (starts singing)

So it’s a pop song?
Yeah, it’s old.

I honestly have never heard of that before.
Oh, and how deep? Have you heard of that?

No.
(starts singing again)

You know, this really illustrates the fact that you’re 28 and I’m 17.
How do you not know that song?
How would I know that song?
It’s a classic.

Did you ever see yourself leading praise?
No.

So you just did the guitar for the heck of it?
Yeah, just to mess around. I like to mess around with stuff.

What’s something else you like to mess around with?
Oh, magic.
I’ve been messing around with that for a while.

I was going to ask a question about magic and how some people don’t like calling it magic, they like calling it, what’s the other thing they call it?
Illusions

Oh yeah, why did you get involved in ARK?
Whenever I go home to Oregon, I would visit my old youth pastor. Who was still pastoring youth. So I had the opportunity to hang out with youth and decided I sort of enjoyed that. So when I came here I ended up volunteering for ark.

That’s it?
Yup.

How long have you been in ARK now?
It’s coming up on 2 years? Maybe? I came at a winter retreat.
Oh I remember that. That was when Pastor David came, we had the really small cabin, and it snowed a lot.
Yeah.
I think that was two winters ago.

Okay, cool Joe.

So, what do you see yourself doing in the future? Or do you not think about the future, do you just kind of live life.
Uhm. Yeah, I don’t know. Haha

Yeah. Ok.
I’m probably still going to be in animation and.. I dunno. I think wherever God leads me but I hope it’s here at the Garden.

So do you like California, like Los Angeles?
Uhm. There’s good and bad things.

But you like the Garden.
I like the Garden. I like the people in California. But California weather, I don’t like. Traffic, I don’t like. Hugeness of the city, I don’t like that either.

You’re like a regular vigilante. Kind of.
I liked Oregon because there’s a lot of greenery, a lot of trees, lots of rain.
Oh, good thing about LA is the food.

What’s your favorite kind of food?
Favorite kinds of food. I can’t say I like one food in particular. I like different ethnic foods, but I tend to like the ghetto’er versions of these foods.
Like taco carts?
Yeah, like home style food. Yeah, like dirty burritos.
Oh, like b-rated chinese food.
Oh, I don’t like chinese food that much.

When I say the word pumpernickel, what comes to your mind? The first thing.
I guess the hufflelumps, from winnie the pooh, because it sounds like a ridiculous word like that.

Weird, I think of Barney. (singing song)

What are your views on graffiti?
I definitely appreciate it as an art form, but I can’t say I really like the defacement of property but graffiti artists found an outlet that wasn’t conflicting onto other people I think yeah.

Ok, so you’re against destruction of public property, like why would you do that etc.
I mean, I know that’s all part of the expression, the statement, but still, it’s disrespectful.

But, even despite the fact that you don’t call yourself an artist who is one of your favorite artists? Someone you look up to for inspiration?
Oh. Uhm. Hmm. I don’t really have any.
Really?
I mean, there are people I’d say are really good but I wouldn’t say you know.

You just do your own thing?
Oh, I have magicians I admire haha
Alright, who’s your favorite magician?
There’s this Japanese magician named Takira . I can’t remember his name. He has this signature trick.
(explains trick)

(I don’t understand any of it
Something about you see a trick that you aren’t supposed to see. )
Alright.

What’s your favorite movie Joe?
I have a lot. I love superhero movies. I like a lot of war movies. I like comedies. One of my favorite comedies is Dumb and Dumber. I think my favorite movie of all time, if I had to pick one, would be Groundhog Day. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of that.

No, that’s why you’re 28 and I’m 17.
It’s a comedy, but it’s really heartfelt. It has Bill Murray.
Alright, let’s say you were on Rotten Tomatoes, what would you rate that movie?
Well, probably a 95.
95? That good?
It’s the kind of the movie that you can just watch over and over again.

Okay. Yeah. So I think that’s pretty much it.
Haha so you’ll edit out and compile stuff?

I’ll try to compile all of this into a, I don’t want to say relevant, but interesting and entertaining interview.

Cara: How old are you?
Teresa: 23

C: Where were you born and raised?
T: I was born in Woodland and I was raised in Sacramento, California

C: How is Sacramento?
T: Ummmm, pretty.. like a bubble. Well it’s a good place to raise your kids and weather’s okay.

C: What do you want to do for a living?
T: I wanted to be a doctor but now I want to do something fun and work with people. I want to help people get well somehow.
C: Oh, like people in jail? Just kidding

C: Hobbies, hobbies, what are you hobbies?
T: Sports
C: What kind of sports?
T: Throwing around a football and snowboarding.
C: Lets go snowboarding!
T: Ooh, yea. I like knitting things.
C: Knitting.. like sewing?!
T: No, like knitting.
C: So, like sewing.
T: Not like sewing
C: Darn. Okay then.
T: I also like cleaning things. Vacuuming is my favorite.

C: Alright, can you share how you became a Christian and how you got to where you are today?
T: Well, I was born into a Christian family, but it wasn’t until college that I decided I didn’t want to be a part of that 80/20 statistic, where 80% of college graduates will not continue going to church. That really got me sad. Well, I’m excited to get plugged in. Garden was the first church that I found and fell in love with. At Rev Con. I rededicated myself to Christ.

C: When did you come to Garden?
T: During my freshman year, around 03-04.

C: What is your favorite childhood memory?
T: When I was younger, Pokemon was really popular.

C: Woah, pokemon is that old?
T: Hey!!
C: Well, I watched it like during 2nd grade. Actually I still watch it sometimes. Heh.
T: So, my brother and I were sleeping in our separate rooms, but we share a wall. Then I hear some mumbling from his room “Mehhblehhlehhh.” And I’m like oh no, whats wrong. So I went to my brother and said, “Andrew, are you okay?” And he’s like, “Gotta catch em all… Pokemon, gotta catch em all! Pikachu, Squirtle!” Heh heh heh.
C: Haha Were you freaked out or laughing?
T: I was laughing

C: Whats a personal goal you have?
T: Emmmm. I want to do a triathalon.
C: Ironman?
T: IronWO-man baby.
T: I want to go back to school, pay off my car, anddd.. and read my One Minute Bible everyday.

C: What do you like about Ark and being an Ark leader….besides me ;D
T: Haha. That’s what I was gonna say. Well, I love how at Ark, everyone can just be themselves and have fun. And that it doesn’t take much to have fun. I love being a leader because, you guys remind me of how high school was and I can share with you guys. Not only that, but I learn from all of you, and you help me grow.

C: Yayyy

C: Tell me a joke.
T: ……[long pause].., short joke or long joke?
C: Hm. Short joke.
T: Joke.
C: No! No.. haha then long joke is JOOOOKE.
T: Well that’s my joke.
C: Haha. Foooorgetttt it.

C: Which superhero would you be and why?
T: I would be Rogue from X-men.
C: Me too! She can just take everyone’s power. Chyyeea.
T: Yeah! Except, she cant touch anybody which would make me really sad.
C: Oh, you’re touchy.. :p
T: Yeah. I would want some special synthetic material clothing to protect me.
C: Rogue with special clothes.

C: Chocolate or Vanilla?
T: Chocolate.

C: I don’t even need to ask this.. Meatlovers or Vegetarian.
T: Come on now..
C: Vegetarian it is! Me too.

T: Did you make up these questions yourself?
C: Mhm.

C: If stranded on an island, and only able to bring 3 material things and 1 person, what and who would it be?
T: My future husband.
C: I know who that is.
T: Who? You know who my future husband is?
C: Yep.
T: You must tell me. You might have the gift of prophecy.
C: Well, he goes to our church. You want me to tell you? Hehe
T: Are you being serious?
C: Yes! YOU know who I’m talking about. He knows who he is.
T: There’s a conspiracy theory behind me back.
C: YAH~ I mean… of course..not. Alright alright. So the three items.
T: Unlimited supply of sushi, a deck of cards, and the Bible.
C: Good choices, except.. you should’ve chosen me for the person and except for the sushi.

C: If you could take out a stranger for a day-o-fun, where would you take them?
T: Ummmm, I would take them out to Tokyo, Japan.
C: Cool. I want to go there.
T: Me too.

C: Whats your most embarrassing moment?
T: Oh no..
Cecil (walks by): Oh I can tell you that!
Jez (walks in and sits with us): I can tell you what it will be. Haha
T: Ugh.. so in high school it was the last period of the day….
C: Oh, THE PINK UNDERWEAR?!
T: You can explain it and make it sound really pathetic.
C: Okay, so even with the hot guy..
T: Yeah….
[So here’s the story..] à The whole day, Teresa was wearing a white dress with bright pink underwear. Everyone could see the bright pink tushie, but poor Teresa was completely oblivious of what was going on… down there. So it was the last period of the day at school and Teresa was playing around in class and running around and trips right in front of a “hot” guy. And he saw her underwear and the whole day was embarrassing. Then a friend told her, at the end of the day, that her underwear was visible through her white dress. At the END of the day.. Aww.
C: Winter or Summer?
T: Winter
C: Yo tambien.

C: Heroes. Do you watch Heroes? You better watch heroes.
T: Nope. Actually, I only watched first season.
C: Nice, but watch third season. It’s awesome.

C: Last question. Would you like to ask me anything?
T: Do you like anybody?
C: Of course! I like you. ;D
T: Good answer, good answer.
T: And what do you like about Ark?
C: I like Ark, because I can be crazy.
C: Whoopee. This was a Teresa Ku Exclusive.

T: Winks*

Name: Elijah Whang
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 155 lbs
Age: Twenty something
Ethnicity: Korean (*sigh* too many of these people)
Place of birth: I think California, I forgot to ask
Favorite food and drink: Spaghetti and Diet Coke
High school and college: El Camino Real, UC Irvine, CSUN for grad school
Status: Single L
Favorite subject in high school: AP Human Geography
Least favorite subject: Everything else
Occupation: Teacher

Noah: So, why did you join ARK?
Elijah: There’s free food

Interesting…do you enjoy being in ARK?
*nods*

So do you like youth?
That depends on if they have showered or not

So what’s your position in the hierarchy of ARK leaders
Low

Oh no, that’s too bad. So seeing that this is a church based interview, what’s your favorite Christian band?
The Garden Praise team. They’re pretty incredibly good

How about your favorite non-Christian band
Just mellow music, hip hop every now and then, and maybe polka

Interesting…glad to hear that. So do you have a favorite movie, and why
Aladdin, it’ funny and hilarious

Really. Glad to hear that. So do you have a favorite super hero? I’m sure you do. Who is it
Spider-man, because he’s intelligent, witty, and yet a tortured soul

Oh my…would you say he reminds of yourself?
No

Too bad. If you could, would you be him?
No way, I like myself

That’s awesome, good job. So, I enjoy laughing. What’s your favorite joke
I don’t like jokes or laughter

Excellent. Interesting. Oh, so is there anybody you look up to?
My grandfather because he’s a man of God and is hard working

Hey that’s funny, that sounds just like my grandfather.
So do you have a favorite football team
No, I don’t like teams. I actually only like players

Really. Like who? Give me your top 3 or so
Brett Favre, Chris Carter, and Charles Woodson. Aren’t you going to ask me what my favorite baseball and basketball teams are?

Oh! Uh, sure.
The Lakers and the Dodgers

Ah, both from L.A. So do you like this city?
I do, it’s where life happens

If you could learn any instrument, what would you learn?
I would learn the piano because it’s nice.

Well then what’s your least favorite instrument that you would never learn?
The bassoon

I see. So what’s your favorite book, sir
“Alice in Wonderland” because the language is genius and hilarious

Okay, now let’s go back to God. What’s your favorite book of the Bible?
Psalms, it refreshes the soul

Good answer! So, do you have any hobbies?
Sleeping

Good job being productive there. Let’s just go back to God. Do you see yourself as a man of God?
I am trying my best.
And that’s all that matters! WOO 1,000%!!

To wrap this up, what are your thoughts on the economy crisis
Well…it’s just money

These interviews will include questions that YOU want to know! Exciting stuff! To get us started, here’s the interview of yours truly….

[Interview by Noah Cho]

Name: Yong “Juan” Oh
Age: 31 years old
Weight: 150 lb
Height: 5’8”
Married?: Yes, to Rachel Oh
Child?: Sophia “Bi-won” Oh
Favorite food and drink: Bone-in rib eye cooked medium and water
Education: LA High, UCLA with a major in East Asian Studies
No grad school?: No, but if I could go now I would go to seminary and if I have time, go to business school

Hi Yong! Let’s start off with the most important question…what’s your position in the hierarchy of Ark leaders?
I am the “Director”

Wow, that sounds impressive. So what do you do Mr. Director?
I oversee the Friday and Sunday meetings and give the Friday sermon. I also develop small group curriculum and train and develop the staff

So do you enjoy Ark?
Yes. Being part of ark is a commitment though. It’s good to like it.

Great attitude. So who’s your favorite Ark student?
One that loves Jesus

Awesome. Now let’s go to some fun questions. What ticks you off the most in Ark and in the world?
If you’re disrespecting God, you better watch out. In general, I hate slow drivers.

So Yong, how’d you meet your wife?
I met her at a UCLA small group meeting. I had no feelings for her at the time though.

Oh well, too bad. Next question. So what’s your favorite sport?
Well, I enjoy watching basketball, especially the Lakers. As for football, I enjoy watching UCLA. To play, however, my favorite sport would have to be volleyball

Awesome. What’s your favorite movie Yong?
Braveheart because the story is incredible. It’s about a man who believed in what is right and let nothing stop him. I also like Matrix because of the effects and because Neo struggles. He is a hero but has human emotions

What’s your favorite movie quote?
“Water is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty…merman!…Merman!” – Derek Zoolander, “Zoolander”

So Yong, are you a registered Democrat or Republican
Neither, I don’t’ believe in party lines.

That’s what I’m talking about!!! Still, who are you going to vote f-
I don’t want to answer

…okay then! So Yong, what’s your favorite Christian band and non-Christian band?
David Crowder because he’s not ashamed to try different styles and U2 because they’re just cool.

Good, good. So do you have a favorite instrument?
The guitar.

Not the piano, but that’s good. Why?
Because you can sing and play at the same time. Also, it’s portable

Awesome. Then what’s your least favorite instrument
The bassoon.

That seems to be a common answer…poor bassoon players
What’s your favorite weather, sir?
Cloudy, gloomy, and chilly with a slight breeze

You poor, sad soul….oh, so do you have a favorite superhero?
Havoc.

Scuse me?
Havoc from the X-Men. He’s incredibly cool, but no one pays attention to him.

Oh my…do you identify with him?
No, but-

That’s so sad…
So Yong, what’s your ideal day off?
To go to the park with my daughter and take pictures.

Oooh that’s right, you love photography. Why?
I enjoy capturing moments in life.

So if you could have another child, would you?
Yes.

Would you be satisfied with a son?
I would, I would name him Micah.

Not Noah Cho? What a shame
Noah, I think you forgot to ask me why I decided to get into youth ministry.

Hmm did I? I’m pretty sure I…okay just kidding
Well, I’ve always liked youth. It all started though when I went to my youth group as a teenager. It wasn’t really being in the youth group, but when I left it I realized I needed to make a difference in the youth. I saw many of my youth group friends stop going to church and becoming far from God. I then said to myself “If I had the opportunity, I would teach youth what it means to be Christian.”

…that’s deep. Let’s end with that. Thanks Yong!
You’re welcome, Noah