Ever since the launch of his now massive company The Hundreds, Bobby Kim AKA Bobby Hundreds has always remained one of those silent-but-deadly, constantly smiling good guys where you can’t help but wonder, “How has someone as nice as you made is this far in the industry?” The answer—a bit of luck and a shit ton of hard work. Read about that, his inspirations, and his daily routine below.
What’s your name, where are you from, and what do you do?
Bobby Kim, Los Angeles. I do a little bit of everything and a lot of nothing.
How’d you get your start?
Because I wanted to be heard.
How long have you been doing your thing?
I’ve been illustrating since as long as I can remember. Skating and shooting skate photography since 12. Designing since 20. Writing for my entire life.
What inspires you?
People, because they are the greatest stories ever told.
What’s your daily routine?
Wake at six, make the kids breakfast, surf, late to the office again, and then it varies. One day I work in editorial, building, researching, and producing content. The next I may team up with our graphic designers on T-shirt concepts and execution. The following day I may be on assignment, interviewing someone for the website. Then back to doing fittings for our cut/sew. Or I may spend an entire day at home—like I am right now—to write. I cap off the evenings by tucking in the boys, dinner, and wine with my wife, then the last thing I remember is reading a book. Rinse and repeat.
Who helped you along the way?
Ben, my wife, Alyasha Owerka-Moore, Dominick Deluca, and above all, our team. All of our staff and crew, past and present, at The Hundreds.
Who’s your favorite New Yorker?
Everybody loves Ray.
What does New York need more of? What does it need less of?
I’m not really in the position to say, but I’d like to see more authentic Angeleno-style Mexican food in the city. I know it’s out there, but the spots are far and few between. I think New York could use less of the bad weather. I feel like I spent more time in NY than LA this past winter, and that polar vortex bummed me out.
What do you love most about New York?
The energy and the attitude. The style. The brunettes and the butts. Most of all, the food. You have to try to actually find bad food in the city. You can literally close your eyes, follow your nose, and taste the most delicious meal of your life. That’s not something you can Yelp.
New York is a magical place. In some ways, it’s the best city in the world, even better than Los Angeles. And it all comes down to the people.
Old Times Square or new Times Square?
My dad lived near Times Square for a while when he was younger, so when I first started traveling out here a lot as a teenager (to shop at Supreme, Alife, SSUR, etc.) he’d warn me about getting stabbed in the face or mugged by the Warriors or some terrible atrocity. Not so into that. The new Times Square hosted our giant animated billboard behind the ball for a few months, so I think I’d much prefer it how it is today.
Favorite movie filmed in New York?
Off the top of my head, KIDS, The Godfather, The Warriors, Big, An American Tail, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the 1990 version).
Top five favorite hip-hop artists?
Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Tupac, Big L, early Jay Z, Kurupt.
Favorite place to eat in New York?
Vlad made me swear not to put it on blast.
Tell us a funny story.
Once on Splay, someone called Ben, Scotty, and I “A bloated sand nigger, a 6XL-wearing wigger, and a chink.” I like how Ben and Scotty had all these qualifiers, but me just being a straight-up “chink” was bad enough.