Abstract
The Kim Sisters material date from 1959 to 1966 and 1983. It consists of two scrapbooks and one folder of photocopied materials containing newspaper clippings about the appearances of the Kim Sisters muscial group throughout the United States as well as Italy, Germany, and Spain. It also includes two record album sleeves.
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Scope and Contents Note
The Kim Sisters material date from 1959 to 1966 and 1983. It consists of two scrapbooks and one folder of photocopied materials containing newspaper clippings about the Kim Sisters' appearances throughout the United States as well as Italy, Germany, and Spain. It also includes two record album sleeves, some black and white publicity photographs, correspondence to the sisters, and one newspaper article from 1983.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials remain in original order.
Biographical / Historical Note
The Kim Sisters came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1959 and began performing regularly on the Las Vegas Strip. Comprised of two sisters, Sook-ja and Ai-ja, and one cousin, Min-ja, the Kim Sisters quickly became a sensation in the United States. They performed on the
The trio formed in South Korea in 1954 and performed for American soldiers in Seoul. Sook-ja and Ai-ja’s mother, Yi Nan Young, was a famous singer in Korea and their father was a symphony orchestra conductor. The Kim Sisters listened to American pop hits on records and memorized the songs. They also learned to play numerous instruments because Young believed it would make them stand out from other sister acts. In 1959 an American manager brought the Kim Sisters to Las Vegas.
After their first contract as part of the China Doll Revue at the Thunderbird Hotel/Casino ended, the Kim Sisters started performing at the Stardust Hotel/Casino. They travelled throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Europe. The Kim Sisters made regular appearances on the
Ai-ja Kim died in 1987. Sook-ja Kim retired from performing in 1989 and as of 2016 works as a real estate agent in Las Vegas, Nevada. Min-ja Kim moved to Hungary with her husband, Tommy Vig, in 2006.
Sources:
Kim, Sook-ja. Interview, 1996 April 06. OH-01020. Oral History Research Center, Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tezar, David. “From Seoul to Las Vegas: story of the Kim Sisters.”
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/09/178_95166.html accessed April 21, 2016.
Preferred Citation
Kim Sisters Scrapbooks and Clippings, 1959-1983. MS-00633. Special Collections, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated by Sook-ja Kim.
Processing Note
Materials were processed by Special Collections staff.
In 2016, as part of a legacy finding aid conversion project, Angela Moor revised and enhanced the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards.