SAIGU
"SA I GU" translates to "4-2-9" in Korean and refers to April 29, 1992—the date the Los Angeles Riots began.
What is Saigu?
“SAIGU” holds significant meaning for the Korean American community, referring to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots/Civil Unrest. “SAIGU” refers to 4-29, marking the date the riots began. During this period, more than 3,000 businesses were destroyed or looted, including over 2,200 Korean-owned establishments, which accounted for more than half of the estimated $1 billion in total damages. This was a painful moment in time for many. It is among the largest incident of Anti-Asian hate and violence in modern times. What were the roots of SAIGU? What happened on SAIGU? Are there fruits from SAIGU and if so, what are they? What lessons can we learn from SAIGU?
SAIGU429 Roots to Fruits Scholarship
The SAIGU429 Roots to Fruits Scholarship invites participants to engage with educational content about SAIGU and produce a one to two minute video highlighting the event's origins (“roots”) and impact (“fruits”).
Video Entry Awards
1st Place Prize: $500
2nd Place Prize: $300
3rd Place Prize: $100
Honorable Mention $50
Awards ceremony to be held on April 29. 2026 (subject to change)
Submissions due by April 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Scholarships are open to all students in 9th to 12th grade.
Note: AI generated work will not be accepted
Step one
View and take notes from at least one episode from List A and one episode from List B
As you listen to each episode, what words, phrases, ideas emerge that help you to understand the Roots of SAIGU for the purpose of building Fruit, including mutual understanding, peace, belonging, for the purpose of rebuilding the American Dream together? Take notes as you watch the episodes.
List a
(Watch at least one)
List B
(Watch at least one)
Additional Resources
"30 years after ‘Saigu’: Korean Americans reckon with L.A.’s past on anniversary of riots"
"SAIGU: Remembering the '92 Riots/Civil Unrest"
"Asian Lives Matter"
"L.A. riots are remembered 30 years later with hope and pessimism"
"Hyepin Im – SaIGu LA Riots"
30 Years After LA Riots, Churches Must Dispel Model Minority Myth
Step Two
Create a 1 to 2-minute short form video that includes:
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Include a "Root of SAIGU" - Painful moment(s) during the SAIGU (LA Riots) over 30 years ago.
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Include a "Fruit of SAIGU" - Lesson(s) learned from the painful "roots" of SAIGU that has the potential to be a "fruit" of SAIGU that builds mutual understanding, peace, and belonging for the purpose of rebuilding the American Dream in your own life, family, community, and/or country.
Special thanks
Special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Kim, an Anaheim Union High School District educator out of Cambridge Virtual Academy, the #1 online public high school in the United States. Also, Faculty of Cal State University Fullerton & Vanguard University and Board President of the Irvine Unified School District.