MORI & Third State Books present SPIT: A Life in Battles - Book Signing and Talk Story with Jonnie Park and Donnie Kwak
Join us at MORI in Capitol Modern for a special celebration of SPIT: A Life in Battles (Third State Books, 2026), featuring a talk story with author and rapper Jonnie Park, better known as Dumbfoundead, and Donnie Kwak, the book’s editor. The afternoon will explore Park’s journey through hip-hop, identity, creativity, and the battles—both personal and cultural—that have shaped his life and art.
From growing up in Los Angeles’s Koreatown amid cultural dislocation, family turmoil, and the unrest of the early 1990s to finding his voice in the underground battle rap scene and becoming an international hip-hop pioneer, Park tells his story with humor, lyrical energy, and unflinching honesty. SPIT is a raw and electrifying memoir about resilience, creativity, addiction, identity, and the power of finding your voice.
The talk story will offer an intimate conversation between Park and Kwak, drawing on their work together on the book and exploring the stories, influences, and cultural moments behind SPIT. Following the conversation, Park will be available to sign copies of the book.
Seats for the talk story are limited and registration is required at moribyaf.com. Copies of SPIT: A Life in Battles will be available for purchase at MORI.
Saturday, October 3rd
2–4pm
Capitol Modern, 250 South Hotel Street
About the Author
Jonnie Park, also known by his stage name Dumbfoundead, is a Grammy-nominated, multi-hyphenate entertainer from Koreatown, Los Angeles. He first gained acclaim in the battle-rap arena, where his lightning wit and self-aware humor captivated foes and fans alike—talents that have propelled Jonnie beyond music into standup comedy, acting, and writing. He starred in the Emmy-winning film Quiz Lady and Netflix’s heist drama Nemesis, and is a featured writer on the second season of the critically acclaimed dark comedy series Beef. For more, visit Dumbfoundead.com.
About the Editor & Guest Speaker
Donnie Kwak is a versatile content creator with expertise across video, digital, and print media. His work spans music, pop culture, and sports. Over his fourteen-year career at Complex NTWRK, Kwak created standout projects including the comedy series Desus vs. Mero. He served as East Coast Bureau Chief at Bill Simmons’s The Ringer and held roles at ESPN, Vibe, and 88Rising.
As the editor of SPIT: A Life in Battles, Kwak brings his deep knowledge of hip-hop and popular culture to Park’s story, helping shape a memoir that captures both the personal and cultural significance of his journey. Kwak lives in Queens, NY, with his two cats, Tony and Tasha.