The Undroppables return to the South Bay of Los Angeles to Break Bread with James Koh for Issue #2.
James is the co-host of the Fantasy Zone channel on Direct TV. He was also mentioned in Issue #1 with Matt Harmon as the partner of the incredible website, Reception Perception. So it seemed fitting to feature James in this issue and tell his story. The setting for today’s lunch is Kang-Hodong Baekjeong Korean Barbeque in Torrance – 25 minutes south of SOFI Stadium. Korean BBQ (K-BBQ) is a great way to unwind with friends after a Rams or Chargers night game. We recommend heading north to their location in Koreatown for the whole nightlife experience, complete with flowing soju.
James Koh has this energy about him that is infectious. James is cool and calm on the outside, but the passion for his career and creativity come through the moment he articulates his first word. You can Google “James Koh” and see all the stops in his journey, but no amount of scrolling on LinkedIn can help you remotely understand the calculated steps that James has taken to get to where he is nor the tact he has shown at every step of the way. We left a 3-hour conversation over lunch (and after-lunch coffee) inspired by how James has approached his career in the sports media industry. Tommy Mo and Chalk have prepared this issue for you to share James’ story, talk football, and share our culture through our food. Thank you for making another reservation; your table is ready.
Although Korean food can be best known for kimchi, the proper culinary jewel is barbecue. Traditionally, this meal was reserved for special occasions when abundance is in order. And because these celebrations are meant to be shared, warm memories are frequently made over food, drinks, and laughs. Over time, Korean BBQ has become a mainstream staple for many.
Like K-BBQ, James has become a mainstream staple in the sports journalism and fantasy football industries. Similarly, that rise to mainstream status was not an easy one. It has taken James over 15 years of honing his craft to break out into the mainstream as an Asian-American sports journalist and host of his nationally broadcast football TV show.
James’ journey started in Houston, Texas, where his family immigrated from Korea in 1980 when James was less than a year old. His Houston roots were pivotal in forming his demeanor and style. You can catch hints of that dirty south accent from time to time. It is probably one of the things that make him so likable. Everyone loves a little Texas twang, which becomes more noticeable after a few drinks.
But it was his family move to Southern California in 1990 at the age of 10 that James began to find his love of sports. Watching sports on cable TV in the 1990s and early 2000s, James drew inspiration from Chris Berman and Michael Kim on ESPN, and Jim Ross from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). And locally in Los Angeles on ABC7, sports anchor, Rob Fukuzaki was breaking down barriers for Asian-American journalists. James now had a beacon of where his career trajectory could lead. The road would be long, but the building blocks were there.
The building block to a perfect Korean BBQ meal is the Banchan. Banchan are all the Korean sides that add texture, flavor, acidity, and variety throughout your meal. The usual suspects include kimchi, rice papers, pajeori (green onion salad), pickled sliced onions, radish pickles, mashed potato salad, steamed eggs, spinach, and soybean sprouts. If one side dish runs out and you want more, just ask your server to refill it. It is Korean tradition to make sure the banchan is not only fresh but unlimited. The best Korean BBQ spots won’t serve you rice until the very end, so make sure to enjoy the sides and all those veggies throughout your meal!
Like the best K-BBQ spots, the banchan and James don’t quit. James’ career has been a long journey that started on a more traditional path. Graduating from UC Berkeley and worked a sales job where he made good money. But it wasn’t his passion. James bet on himself and quit the sales job, and took a job at a radio station in Havre, Montana, in 2004. His stint in Montana led him to an on-air broadcaster job at a radio station in Bishop, California.
James’ move to California opened up an opportunity in Bakersfield, where James was able to make the jump from radio to TV. First, behind the camera and then to a gig as an on-air weekend reporter. James earned the on-air job by convincing his boss to look at his audition tape. The station manager did not hesitate to put him on the air once the tape was played, but James only got the call for weekends, and he was still the cameraman for other reporters during the week. James took the opportunity to showcase his talents during the weekends and performed at such a high level that within a year, he won an Associated Press award for Best Small Market Reporter. After winning the AP award, James was able to
“convince” his boss that he should be full-time as an on-air reporter, Monday through Friday. #grinding
James saw an opportunity, and he took it, 🗣️ every 🗣️ single 🗣️ time. Starting from radio in the middle of nowhere to a full-time on-air award-winning journalist within 4 years thanks to hard work, knowing his worth, taking advantage of opportunities, and having something to prove. And despite not being the most talented person in the room (his words, not mine), he was going to out work and out hustle his peers.
(Fantasy Banchan) James’ first pick in 2022 drafts, no matter what: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
This is another must-have when enjoying Korean BBQ as this stew represents Korean culture as any other dish we enjoy. A hearty stew adds some spice, heartiness, and umami, which all come from the doenjang (or soybean paste). The smell of the fermented paste packs a punch but is mixed into a stew with vegetables; a deep, rich, unctuous flavor is created. The stew helps cut through the greasiness of the meat while resetting the palate for more delicious bites. As James puts it, for any first-timer at K-BBQ, this dish is the test if you have the pallet to truly appreciate this cuisine. It was delicious. I passed the test.
James passed his first test behind the camera in a full-time role and parlayed that opportunity into the major markets in San Diego and then Los Angeles. James moved into Southern California and spent two years in each city, covering sports for FOX. His talent led him to win 4 Emmy’s and an Edward R. Murrow award in two years. He was also one of the first journalists that covered UFC for FOX as MMA began to go mainstream in 2011. Interviewing all the big-name fighters like Jon Jones, BJ Penn, and Anderson Silva. Even the leading man Dana White.
His journey took him to another quick stint in radio, covering the LA Clippers for a season, before hitting the dream job at NFL Media. James spent a fun and formative 4 years honing his craft and making lifelong friendships on one of the biggest platforms for football media. James’ last 4 years in the industry, however, have given him the most creative control as the host of Fantasy Zone and content creator for Direct TV. Allowing him to find ways to infuse fantasy football stats into character parodies like the Sleeper King and Backman. As he says, “slipping in fantasy analysis through humor, like vegetables in a child’s dinner.”
(Fantasy Banchan) Fantasy player that could leap into the #1 territory: Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Beef and pork are the main proteins offered at Korean barbecue restaurants in plain and marinated options. The beef marinades are soy sauce-based with a sweet-salty-umami balance. A salt, pepper, and sesame oil mixture for these plain bites is a perfect dipping sauce. The pork marinade options are usually on the spicier side with a touch of sweetness. You should always start with plain meat first to experience the flavor and quality of the protein.
We started with the thinly sliced beef brisket, which features a beautiful marbling each time and comes without any marinade. With this dish, the key is to quickly cook the slices on a hot grill to get a nice sear, flip the meat once, and then enjoy it while still steaming hot off the grill. A pro tip is to wrap your brisket in rice paper or lettuce leaf, then add some pajeori and doenjang for the ultimate bite.
Running through James’ career history can make it seem convenient for him to consistently find opportunities. To work his way from nothing to dream job status in ten years. While he could always make a lateral or positive move in each career choice, James spent hours and time learning every aspect of broadcast journalism. First, by earning a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Southern California, an education that has been integral in James’ success. Second, by putting in the hours to gain experience in the technical aspects of the job; planning the shot, holding the camera, being the talent, the mixer, the editor, delivering the final product, and marketing the hell out of it. #grinding
It comes from his upbringing and his background. That Korean spirit of hustling and grinding. Almost to be successful no matter what. But not despite everything, but in not letting obstacles stand in your way. I mentioned earlier that James claims he’s not the most talented person in the industry. As we sit across from a multi-Emmy-winning journalist, I still find that hard to believe. But James is humble and puts his success on his drive, not his talent.
The drive that took him out of the corporate world in the first place. James could have taken it “easy” and made great money in sales. But easy is in quotes because there is nothing easy about not following your passion despite how much money you are making. It took courage and drive to start over from the bottom and work his way up the media ladder to become the co-host of a fantasy football TV show on a major digital television provider. It took drive and tact to find the next opportunity to move one step closer to his goals. To convince a boss that he should hold the camera, that he should then be in front of the camera, and then to be on screen more than just on the weekends. James had to convince someone each time.
The first person he had to convince was himself. As a humble person with a lot of drive and ambition, success can sometimes not come easy when your first obstacle is silencing that inner voice of insecurity. James uses that voice of insecurity to push himself harder, to make his battle/competition against himself. Like the game of golf, you are only really competing against yourself. This mentality allows James to focus on his craft and not be distracted by haters or obstacles along the way. As the stoic writer Ryan Holliday says, “the obstacle is the way.” Facing the challenge head-on and proving it to yourself.
James has sat across from station managers or executives who said, “this is not an interview.” Almost every time, an hour into the conversation turns into an interview. James is engaging and charismatic, but he is also strategic. He will research the station’s deficiencies in content and provide examples of how he can help fill those gaps. Creating solutions for his future employer before he even wins the job. James demonstrates his value and what they are missing out on through his pointed and tailored recommendations by not hiring him.
Now that he’s taken a big step in his career. Haters are incoming! When James got the job at FOX in San Diego, some people in the industry questioned if he deserved it. But James does not worry about those negative opinions. It is not like he does not care, he just cares less, and he does not let it bother him. He could complain about someone else getting a job he did not think deserved. In the end, Koh understands those are distractions from your goals and path. Thankfully, as James notes, friends always have your back to remind a hater about your accomplishments.
(Fantasy Banchan) Best draft strategy: Drafting for upside and getting your guys
This is my favorite dish to order when I dine at any Korean barbeque establishment. The prime cuts of short rib that feature impeccable marbling are the low-margin items at restaurants, so you should always be smashing multiple orders of these. This cut is also non-marinated, which speaks to the quality of the meat, given there is nothing to hide or mask. I prefer to cook these at medium rare to medium but never going close to well done to bring out the flavor. It is a simple yet tasty dish that does not need a lot of flairs.
James is like that. In his own words, he is the Honda Accord of Fantasy Football. James is better than average. He is reliable and consistent, and not only does he deliver it all in a reasonably priced package, and he does it with a bit of flair. We admittedly shared a laugh when he said that because it speaks to his humility but also his humor. James might not have a massive following on Twitter (42K+ is still impressive), nor is he the most over-the-top fantasy personality. He cares more about the substance and the quality of his content, as opposed to doing whatever it takes to get clicks. James is in this game for real-life notoriety; he is not trying to be Twitter famous. James not going to clout chase or take shots at other analysts/journalists in the industry. The approach will remain the same, be entertaining as hell, provide some excellent football advice, and always work on his craft to get better and for the next move up in his career.
This approach to content and social media is how he approaches life. Not flashy, but still with a ton of style as he will be one of the best dressed in any room he enters. Today, Koh is wearing a sweet Stone Cold Steve Austin vintage-style graphic tee and an LRG denim hoodie.
Early on, that meant taking broad strokes to improve his game. James recommends watching the film on yourself and analyzing yourself like you do football. What verbal crutches do you have? What do you do with your hands? Those little things matter when your job is speaking on camera or radio. How you deliver the message is as important as the message itself. And that on-air demeanor is vital to your audience and, therefore, to your employer. But the little things matter to anyone taking their amateur podcast seriously or looking to make the next step.
And that is not just in front of the camera/microphone either. It is in the planning, the preparation, the equipment, and the connections, being the producer and the talent of your show. So many in the fantasy football industry have started a podcast or website and understand the many hats you often have to wear to do it all and right. James has not just been there; Koh is still doing it. Running the production and being the talent. All the while delivering a great story with some high-quality entertainment.
James has learned that the most significant skill in journalism is to melt a story down to its essence in a short time. Take a 90-minute press conference and summarize it in 90 seconds on camera. A task is even more complicated when you do not fully understand the topic or hear about it for the first time. But how that relates to fantasy football, according to James, is “you take complex ideas… take all the noise… and melt it down into one digestible thing, that’s fantasy football, and that’s Journalism 101″.
(Fantasy Banchan) Player coming into his prime in 2022: Michael Pittman, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pork belly is the Korean version of bacon but usually in a thicker, non-salted, non-marinated cut. The key to grilling pork belly has a special pan designed to draw fat away from the pork. This allows for a cleaner cook, crispier bites, and better health (generally speaking). One of the (secret) customs is to pair the pork with ssamjang, a mix of red chili and soybean paste. A piece of grilled pork belly with some bean sprouts all wrapped in a slice of pickled daikon radish make for the perfect bite.
With James’s success in his career, he has had to learn to say no to opportunities to spend more time doing the things he loves. Which is easier said than done when your mindset is still that of a freelance journalist. In Year 1 on the Reception Perception team, James has not focused on the project as much as he would have liked. Between his day job at Direct TV, the various partnerships he was creating content for, and making his content on the side on YouTube, James was stretched too thin to be as involved as he intended.
James has been helping Matt Harmon run the business side of things behind the scenes. The focus for James is supporting the main reason people subscribe to RP, which is Matt and his work. But in Year 2, James plans to do more in front of the camera and microphone. Matt and James are bringing Reception Perception to the airwaves as a podcast for the first time. Matt was crushing his RP videos on his YouTube page, but creating a podcast around the website’s analysis allows the guys to deliver their message to a new audience. As great of a medium as video is, there is still a significant demand for podcasts that can be accessed on the go.
Behind the scenes, James continues to run the unsexy business side of RP. Taxes, payroll, sales, etc., so Matt can focus on delivering the product. Helping Matt do what he does well. And since James is also the talent as well as the brains, he can handle the business aspects while also contributing to and supporting Matt’s creative vision. A vision that marries analytics and film analysis. Although RP involves film study to chart wide receiver success by route run, it is also very much analytics based as Matt performs a computational analysis on the data he charts. Analytics for guys that are not analytics guys.
Besides their love for football and running an amazing website, these two analytics guys also share their love for food on the West Side of L.A. When asked about some of his favorite food spots, James mentions the first two places Saigon Dish in Lawndale and Bamboo Thai in Redondo Beach. Both restaurants offer highlights of Southeast Asian cuisine. The pho broth at Saigon Dish and curry at Bamboo Thai are both rich in flavor that diners rave about. And one of the better deals for lunch I have seen around L.A. is the $3 drink pairing with any lunch combo at Bamboo Thai.
The top Asian cuisine in the South Bay for James is Sushi Nozomi in Torrance. Good sushi in Southern California is competitive, and to stand out as one of the best in the area; you have to do things exceptionally. This starts with the fresh fish flown daily from Japan’s largest fish market. But this fish is not the only high-quality ingredient in the shop, as each of their proteins is sourced from the highest quality vendors. If you have ever seen the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” you will know that the rice is even more important than the fish, and according to James, that is precisely what Sushi Nozomi does best. When you can snag a reservation, try their special menu with items such as Bluefin Tuna Bone, where you scrape tender rib meat off the bone with a spoon. A true experience.
When switching it up on a date night out with his wife, James frequents Tin Roof Bistro in Manhattan Beach. The atmosphere is fun, open, and reminiscent of restaurants the owner used to manage in Napa Valley in Northern California. This is evident in the extensive and diverse wine list available. The cocktails are fun, and the food is chef-inspired and best for sharing. Perusing the menu and the reviews on Yelp, I can see why this place is a favorite of James, and it is now on my list for my next date night venue.
(Fantasy Banchan) Late Round RBs to target: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts; Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams
Finally, the marinated steak to finish the meal. Whenever enjoying Korean BBQ, the marinated meats are always cooked last. This is because the sugar and sweetness of the marinade will affect your palette. “Bulgogi,” translated to English, is “fire meat” and is actual fire. The meat is usually beef or pork (we had pork this time), which is marinated overnight with a blend of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, ginger, and a little Korean red pepper paste. One thing I love about the place we dined is that they use different grills for the different types of meat – for a better cooking experience.
Because it is the experience that sets apart the best from the rest. And that curated fantasy football fan experience is James’ current role as the co-host of Fantasy Zone on Direct TV. The show is part of the NFL Sunday Ticket package that Direct TV offers, and the Fantasy Zone channel (704) is right next to the Red Zone channel. Fitting since the show is Red Zone but with a very obvious fantasy football focus. Especially since we all know that most subscribers to Red Zone are doing it for fantasy purposes. So why not cater directly to what you are looking for by not just showing you the plays but providing the in-game fantasy-related analysis?
The Fantasy Zone channel allows viewers to drop into a Bengals game; James pulls up Jamar Chase’s air yards or Tee Higgin’s targets and provides commentary on the fantasy implications of what is happening on the field. The team is talking about what you hoped would happen to win your fantasy matchup that week. Any storylines to know coming into the game. James understands that catering to the audience’s needs is essential because they are playing the same game as us.
This allows James to relate to the viewers in ways few TV hosts can. Koh is encouraged to talk about the game as though he has some stake in it for fantasy purposes. James could be tilting live on air like you are on your couch. Begging the fantasy gods for a TD from Amon-Ra St. Brown because T.J. Hockenson just dropped a wide-open catch in the end zone. James is freaking out with you. You can connect with James more than just listening to a regular sports commentator because James says, “LOVES THIS SHIT!”
Despite taking his craft very seriously, he still has a lot of fun. Because you want to see energy when watching sports entertainment that is natural and not forced. James’ energy is effortless and infectious. In his words, “he brings out your inner idiot.” James and his co-hosts (on whatever TV show, podcast, or on-air interview) can act like fools and still have educated, informed, quality takes. It pays to be entertaining but offers sound advice, even if he has to slip it in like vegetables.
James continues to find ways to be informative and entertaining by making the most of what he’s got. Even at a major TV provider, Koh is still working with a relatively modest production budget to create his character shoots and videos produced for Fantasy Zone. As usual, that does not stop him from delivering some high-quality content shot fast and cheaply. One of James’ mantras is to never tell yourself you can’t do it and to find creative ways to get around your limitations. The only limitation is how far you can let your creativity go and put yourself out there. James is literally on a nationally televised show feeding paper targets to a mini toy lion as the Sleeper King. The skit was not only hilarious but informative as well.
It is a cliché, but James is a grinder. He is still grinding, and he will always grind. For the love of the game, for the love of his craft, because James is passionate and driven. He did not get to this point in his career by accident, and his future will be just as deliberate. He will take the same approach, working hard, staying humble, and is calculated in his moves. Those future moves include a goal to one day play-by-play for a major sport on a major network. A goal he took one step closer to this spring by co-hosting The T.O. Zone on FUBO Sports as part of the new Fan Controlled Football arena league. As usual, James managed to turn that opportunity into something more by providing some on-field analysis during games.
James’ career is already filled with accomplishments, but he has goals to accomplish so much more. He’s a star on the rise in the mainstream football industry and has the respect of the entire fantasy football industry. James is great at what he does and does it correctly. With humbleness, integrity, a bit of that Korean grit, a dash of 90’s professional wrestling, and a lot of swag and charisma. I was again left inspired after our lunch, and I hope you are too after reading this.
(Fantasy Banchan) Darkhorse Sleeper: Raheem Mostert, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Thank you again for joining us in this Second Issue of Breaking Bread. We hope you enjoyed your meal, were possibly left hungry for more, and returned for another visit. Many thanks to my co-author and business partner, Chalk, and all the fantastic graphics created by Dukes. Stay tuned for the next issue. And until then, make sure you follow The Undroppables on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram, and subscribe to the podcast network wherever you download podcasts because…it Sucks to Suck.
