LOS ANGELES — On Dec. 9, the doors to KoreAm’s event opened at 6 p.m. to a waiting crowd of … four.

Could it be that people just wouldn’t be interested in remembering a third “Unforgettable,” this publication’s annual fundraiser? Well, yes, that’s conceivable.

Fortunately, the guests began to trickle in to the Skirball Cultural Center some 20 minutes later, and they were greeted by vases brimming with red roses, dimly lit candles and a string of Christmas lights — a pleasant change of ambience from the make-you-late traffic on the 405 Freeway. When former Miss Universe and the evening’s master of ceremonies Brook Lee took the stage — about an hour behind schedule — a crowd of approximately 350 was seated in the Skirball’s Ahmanson Hall and ready to partake in the evening’s festivities.

Having attended the first two “Unforgettable” celebrations, Jennifer Cheh, an architect and now a bona fide veteran of KoreAm events, commented, “Every time was good, but this year is more festive. It feels like a party!”

And a party — to celebrate the past year’s successes and to look past the year’s failures and shortcomings (too many to count) — was precisely what was intended. “Unforgettable,” sponsored in 2004 by the film company ShinCine, is a way for KoreAm to recognize the people who make up the increasingly diverse KA community. And, of course, it isn’t a bad way to unwind.

This go-round, Bobby Lee was tasked to keep the laughs coming (it was Henry Cho in 2002 and Ron McGehee in 2003). Prancing around the stage, the “MADtv” star distracted the hungry audience with his signature belly-baring stand-up comedy.

And this year’s musical performance was a break in style from the previous two galas — no classically trained Ahn Trio in 2004. Singer and this month’s cover story, Park Jin Young, performed some of his hit K-pop tunes, and demonstrated why he is sometimes called the “Michael Jackson of Korea.” His “thriller” dance moves helped further bolster a party atmosphere.

Look, Richard Ock (far left) is laughing at Johnny Yune’s nunchuck joke yet again! Why can’t you other three — Yong Chun, Karl Yune and Mrs. Johnny Yune (from left to right) — get with the program?!

It wasn’t just a night of merriment, though. Given that “Unforgettable” is also a fundraiser for the magazine, we took it a step further and held a silent auction, selling donated items such as signed copies of “Batman” comics from Jim Lee, prints from artists Seonna Hong and Tim Biskup and an autographed Myung Bo Hong L.A. Galaxy jersey. Half of the auction proceeds will be donated to nonprofit organizations supporting North Korean refugees. Thanks to Brook, who throughout the night advised people against bidding on her Diba boots and Kasil jeans (and succeeded), and everyone else who chipped in for this cause.
And “Unforgettable” wouldn’t be complete without the celebrities. While there were a few no-shows, Olympic gold-medalist Dr. Sammy Lee, baseball star Chan Ho Park, author Helie Lee and actors Alexandra Chun, Nicole Bilderback, Sung Kang and Karl Yune came out for this end-of-the-year shindig.