This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eva Chow, chair of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art + Film Gala and founder of the soju brand KHEE. She splits her time between Seoul and Los Angeles. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I was born in Seoul and moved to the US with my family when I was 16. I built my career in New York as a fashion designer and later owned and operated Mr. Chow, a luxury Chinese restaurant chain that operates worldwide.
I was recognized for my watercolor painting at a young age, which is why art has been a huge part of my life. I joined the board of trustees at LACMA in 2007, and in 2011, I cofounded the Art + Film Gala with Leonardo DiCaprio, which I still chair today.
I founded KHEE Soju in 2021 because I wanted to share my Korean heritage with the world. KHEE means “energy” in Korean, and good energy is central to how I live and work.
There’s a lot to juggle, but I multitask and manage my time effectively. Here’s a day in my life.
I usually wake up around 10 a.m., no matter where I am
I don’t really do breakfast. In the morning, I usually have coffee and water. When I’m in Los Angeles, I sometimes have scrambled eggs and coffee in bed, which is very nice.
I try not to wear makeup so my skin can be its natural self. I don’t like covering my pores. In the morning, I wash my face with water. Then I use toner and a daytime moisturizer with SPF, do my eyebrows, and maybe add lip balm. I don’t go to the hair salon or use a makeup artist that often.
Once I’m up, I start making phone calls and replying to emails and texts. No matter how many emails I answer, my inbox never seems to go down. It’s the same with texts. I have a US phone and a Korean phone.
I listen to music constantly while I work. In the mornings, I mostly listen to classical music and operas, especially piano concertos and piano sonatas.
I don’t use a laptop much
It’s heavy, and I can do almost everything from my phone. I use my phone for email, texts, WhatsApp, Telegram, and KakaoTalk.
I used to split my time between the US and Seoul, traveling back and forth two or three times a year. Now, because of my work in distilling and developing new products, I spend more time in Korea. I also travel frequently for work to Southeast Asia and China.
I’m planning the next LACMA Art + Film Gala, which will be on November 7, and I was recently in LA for gallery openings. I attend several board meetings at LACMA each year. It takes almost the entire year to plan.
Once one year’s gala is done, I’m almost immediately thinking about the next. It feels like a labor of love and a way for me to give back. Through that, I help raise funds for the museum.
I don’t do lunch either. I spend the first part of the day working from home after I wake up.
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By the time I finish my correspondence and get myself together, it’s usually 12:30 or 1 p.m.
I prefer meetings after 1 or 2 because that’s when I feel more relaxed, whether on Zoom or in person. I take meetings from around 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
By the afternoon, I’ve answered emails, taken care of myself, and stretched. I’ve also been doing physical therapy because I broke my toes and had surgery.
Around 3 or 4 p.m., I start getting ready for the rest of the day
Right now, I’m very focused on launching two new ready-to-drink products for KHEE. My main focuses are perfecting the taste, designing the packaging, and overseeing many details.
I usually have dinner plans three or four times a week, whether with friends, work contacts, or both. I enjoy sharing a meal and being in good company. Recently, we drank quite a bit of my soju at Simon Kim’s incredible new place, Bar Chimera. I had so much fun and got a little carried away. That was later than most nights.
Generally, I’ll head home around 7:30 or 8 p.m. to relax
As much as I love people. I’m a night person and value my alone time. After I get home, I wind down with a KHEE cocktail or on the rocks.
I’ll listen to music and play with my Pomeranian, JoJo. She’s only three pounds, but she travels everywhere with me and can handle a 13-hour flight with no problem. She’s my service dog, my security dog, and she thinks she’s big and dangerous. I love her.
I also like to watch YouTube because once the algorithm takes over, I don’t have to choose what to watch next. I leave it on while I play puzzle, number, and block games. It’s how I relax, and it’s good for your brain, too.
I live with my daughter, and she tells me I’m like a millennial kid.
I rarely go to sleep before 3 or 4 a.m.
When I’m in Korea, I’m speaking with my US team around 3 or 4 a.m. When I’m in the US, I’m on calls with my Korean team around 2 or 3 a.m.
Working at night is ideal; it’s always been my natural rhythm. My brain works really well then. I can be in shorts and a T-shirt with nobody looking, and I feel free and focused. I do a lot of thinking, writing letters — it’s a very productive time.
Even if it’s been a late night, I’ll cleanse my face for three to four minutes. Then I use toner and moisturizer, and that’s it.
I’m in New York right now to help people understand soju, especially those who have never tried it or only know the diluted version. That distinction is important to me.
Premium soju should be distilled and simple: made with rice, water, and yeast, with no additives. I think people are ready for a new spirit. Soju is part of my heritage. I’m very proud of where I come from and of what I make.
