In Luffy Huang’s Vision for Pulse Events, Cultures Align Through EDM Music
Stories
September 22, 2024
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CEO of Pulse Events Luffy Huang made waves across New York City this past Labor Day weekend. Known as “the world’s wettest party,” the S2O event made a splash in the Brooklyn neighborhood, delivering euphoric EDM melodies with Thai-inspired traditions that stretch across borders to America.
But as the CEO of Pulse Events, his vision yearns for unity and togetherness through the power of music. Throughout the years, Luffy has been a driving force behind the diversification of the EDM festival scene, condensing the beats into a spectacular celebration of culture and community.
The Sounds of Luffy Huang’s Chinese Upbringing and American Dream
Growing up in China, his early passion for music led him to a career as a singer and TV host between 15 to 20 years ago. Encouraged by the eclectic soundscape in the U.S., his American dream for a successful music career was granted by one of the artists he was touring along with, paving the way for his move to the States.
“I grew up in China and following my passion for music, I became a singer and TV host 15 to 20 years ago. Since it was always my dream to break into the music industry in the U.S., I began touring with artists and finally came to America with one of them in 2020.”
When he arrived in the U.S., Luffy was bewildered yet determined. The hustle in a foreign land might have caught him off guard for a moment but it also helped him head towards a new direction. “I found the industry here to be very open-minded and felt inspired and encouraged to start my own entertainment company here,” he says.
Luffy left China for the U.S., driven by the fast-paced music scene.
This geographic shift is a tableau of music inspirations, cultural shock and a deepening sense of identity, all of which prompted him to create Pulse Events, an event agency focused on bridging the Eastern and Western cultures through music and community.
Cultural Harmony Through Music and Luffy Huang’s Pulse Events Journey
“What inspired me the most was seeing people of different cultures embrace shows produced in Asia and influenced by Eastern traditions,” he says.
Such ethos were themselves echoed throughout his work, by introducing a global audience to the purpose he wanted to share more of, from highlighting notable Asian creatives and talents, to celebrating the vibrant culture of the Asian community. “I realized that this experience was missing in the U.S. and it became my mission to produce shows here that expose fans to the traditions and dance community culture in Asia,” he says. “I am proud that my shows include elements like Asian night markets, lion dances and spraying water that is the Songkran Thai New Year custom.”
One of the drawbacks of starting Pulse Events in a new country, however, is the balance and harmony among different communities, especially in the U.S. where multiculturalism has long been its celebrated trademark. Yet, despite this animated diversity, Luffy needs to traverse the tricky waters of inclusivity, representation and U.S. culture:
“Turning my vision into a reality took a bit of time. But once we put on our first Pulse Events show, we learned from the process and got into a good rhythm where we put on multiple shows annually and continued to expand. One of thechallenges I face on a daily basis is figuring out how to represent Asian culture in the most authentic way possible, while having our shows appeal to a diverse audience. Striking that balance takes a lot of thought and hard work, finding the right partners to bring that to life. Another challenge I face is that English is my second language, so I sometimes have to take the extra step of using translation tools or making a greater effort to make sure my ideas are communicated correctly.”
Luffy Huang leads Pulse Events with determination, expanding the reach of Asian culture through unforgettable shows
While those challenges might have vexed him in the beginning, every show, event and festival was an emblem of the connectivity that he always has in mind for Pulse Events. The 2023 Spring Festival that Pulse Events had orchestrated last year was an EDM-heavy event to honor Lunar New Year and pull together traditional elements, joyful moments and different communities. It was the first event to infuse electronic music and Asian culture that introduced the beauty of this cultural festival to more American youths:
“I am proud of every show Pulse Events has put on and the legacy we are slowly building by making them annual. We are gearing up for our second Winter Festival in November and our third Spring Festival next year, and planning to bring back S2O after debuting it to the U.S. this past Labor Day weekend. I feel fortunate that we have established a good working relationship with one of the most famous venues in New York City and the world, The Brooklyn Mirage. I am also proud to be the founder of the Krazy Super Concert elevating K-pop in America.”
When East Meets West in Luffy Huang’s Vision for Pulse Events
As an organization that holds the same values as AHN to uplift and highlight the Asian community, AHN takes this interview as a special opportunity to explore how Asian talents are being showcased and represented in the industry. Luffy’s vision remains unchanged:
“Themission and vision of Pulse Events is to bridge the East and the West through music events that unite people of all backgrounds and educate them. Through bringing fans of all kinds together through the common love of music, we are able to open their minds and hearts to understanding Asian culture and embracing the immense talent within our community, from music producers and DJs to entrepreneurs like myself and my colleagues.”
This determination and commitment has led Luffy on a road of success, producing annual mega shows like the Lunar New Year Spring Festival, the Winter Festival and most recently S2O New York, all to celebrate cultures and unite communities through EDM. Even just at the start, Pulse Events has landed performance deals with many prominent artists in the electronic music scene, from the enigmatic Marshmello to platinum record-selling DJ Afrojack.
Luffy’s goal is clear: bridge the East and West through music, uniting fans from all backgrounds while showcasing Asian talents.
Connect With Luffy Huang
Much of Luffy’s current success comes less from pure luck and more from a consistent performance of hard work and innovation. Whether it be electric live festivals, or getting deep down into his heritage, Luffy knows better than ever that Pulse Events was a child of hustle and resilience, no matter where you came from and who you are:
“From my own journey,I believe that if you hustle hard enough and never give up on your dreams, you will succeed, even in a foreign country or place outside of your comfort zone.”
Jennifer Chun, Uniformed’s designer, brings a refreshing collaboration of Korean-American heritage and sustainability practices. Her story began during the pandemic, when she discovered traditional natural dyeing techniques. After connecting with experts and artisans, she came to Korea and got directly involved in the dyeing lessons. “I had no idea Korea had its natural dyeing traditions,” Chun shared.
Her collection is a celebratory integration of hand-dyed materials and fabrics from traditional markets to create a sustainable, limited-edition line.
Jennifer Chun blends her Korean heritage into her sustainable fashion line, Uniformed. (Photo credit: Wayn Ohara Reid)
Overcoming the Challenges of Slow Fashion
Amidst the growing world of fast fashion, it is clear that Chun’s main challenge lies in maintaining sustainability while navigating an industry deeply accustomed to mass production and fleeting trends.
Fashion has changed so much that consumers want items faster or cheaper because we have gotten used to mass production. I make such limited quantities that it can be a challenge working with factories that would rather produce en masse and do not want to make specialized pieces that take thought or time, as producing less can increase manufacturing prices. It’s difficult to educate consumers on this when even people in my industry aren’t aware of what goes into the whole process.
During the global lockdown, designer Jennifer Chun found an unexpected bridge to her Korean heritage through a chance encounter with an article on Korea’s natural dyeing traditions—an art form predating the country’s unification.
I came across an article about Korea’s natural dyeing and artisans. I had no idea Korea had its own natural dyeing traditions and techniques that predated the formal unification of Korea. In the article, they interviewed a natural dyer outside of Seoul, and I decided to just email her. My mother was in lockdown, living in LA, and like many senior citizens, the isolation was incredibly difficult. So I asked her to collaborate with me by helping me communicate with the natural dyer.
We all eventually became pen pals. Once travel restrictions were lifted, my husband and I visited my father, who was living in lockdown in Korea. We made arrangements to meet with the natural dyer and visited her indigo farm and studio. She taught me how to cut the indigo and showed me the basic process of her craft. She suggested we collaborate.
The line developed from there, eventually leading to a capsule collection, incorporating fabrics developed in Korea, including hand-dyed materials and fabrics purchased in traditional markets around the country. And constructed into limited edition pieces to ensure sustainability, and designed with a uniform aesthetic, in New York City’s garment district.
Working with Korean artists—who prioritize quality over quantity—has deepened her appreciation for true craftsmanship. ‘There is so much pride in the craft and process. They do not compromise sustainability at any cost, and I had to assure them that I wouldn’t either if we were to collaborate,’ she explains, highlighting Uniformed’s commitment to sustainability.
Jennifer, while in South Korea.
Integrating Heritage into Design
Jennifer is not one to shy away from how her heritage has a profound impact on her design. She takes great pride in how it informs her work, and she has learned to combine these cultural elements more skillfully as she refines her craft. “With Uniformed, I am really proud that I have been able to bring my Korean American heritage into my designs,” she shared. “None of this is easy or formulaic, but it is a new, interesting, and inspired challenge.”
The opportunities to reconnect with her roots, meet local artisans, and learn new techniques have been both humbling and transformative for Jennifer. “It can be a very humbling experience to adopt a new perspective and craft after working in this industry a certain way,” she reflected. “You’re almost starting over and sometimes have to prove yourself, but it’s all been worth it for the new experiences.” This humility and commitment to continuous learning form the foundation of her design philosophy and entrepreneurial values.
Fashion with a Global Vision
Jennifer’s ultimate goal for Uniformed is to collaborate with artisans around the world, incorporating the diverse experiences of Koreans globally. “I want to understand more about Koreans in different parts of the world,” she shared. By blending these cultural perspectives, she aims to create a brand that celebrates the universal appeal of the ‘uniform,’ merging tradition with modernity.
Jennifer Chun’s design (Photo Credit: Kim Jae Min)
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