Meet Layla Zhuqing Ji , Jason Choi (aka Best Favorite) | Founder of WoHomey & Movie Director ; Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Layla Zhuqing Ji , Jason Choi (aka Best Favorite) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Layla Zhuqing Ji , Jason Choi (aka Best Favorite), can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Layla: I am a full-time filmmaker, so at the beginning of all of this, I was really just fresh out of a chaotic and sort of toxic environment from the movie industry, and seeking something comforting to do in-between projects. I have always wanted to have my own brand and my own store so I decided to give it a try. The process of building the business was very healing in day-to-day operations and provided me mental rest to be more creative. It was also a great adventure to do with my boyfriend and have more exposure for his art and my curated selections.

Jason: Starting my own business was the natural thing to do, as my love for art and spreading creative expression grows everyday. It started out as just making T-shirts for friends and family. Now I have my prints and originals available to the public. I’m super excited for what the future has in store. I can definitely see progressing technologies like 3D printing opening up new avenues for artists everywhere.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The Story of The Best Favorite
Best Favorite (aka Jason Choi) is a Korean American artist whose work is a heartfelt celebration of individuality, connection, and the beauty of being an Earthling. Born in Redondo Beach, California, and raised in the diverse landscape of Los Angeles, Best Favorite’s journey as an artist has been shaped by a lifelong love for creativity and a deep belief that we are all the best favorite.
Art has always been a part of his life. As a wee little lad, he found joy in drawing, painting, and exploring the world through his imagination. In third grade, his tutor noticed he would constantly doodle on his school work and gifted him his first sketchbook, turning drawing sessions into a reward for completing school lessons. This planted the seeds for a lifelong passion. Over the years, he experimented with different mediums, from digital art to paint, eventually falling in love with the fluid, unpredictable magic of watercolors.
Best Favorite believes that art is a universal language, one that transcends boundaries and reminds us that, at our core, WE ARE ALL ONE. His work is a reflection of his personal journey and a blend of his Korean roots, mixed with the eclectic energy of LA, a tribute to the people and experiences that have shaped him. Instead of striving for perfection, he embraces the imperfections, the quirks, and the unique qualities that make each of us who we are. His art is an invitation to see the beauty in our differences and to remember that we are all ultimately connected together in the same human story.
Best Favorite is a rising talent with a deep appreciation for the priceless value of art, connections, and life itself. Through his art, Best Favorite celebrates our unique stories while reminding us of our shared humanity. His work carries a simple yet profound message: no matter who you are or where you come from, you too are the best favorite; a beautiful part of our collective, creative oneness.

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The Story of WoHomey
“Wo” (窝), a cozy way of saying “home” in Mandarin, perfectly captures the warm, nest-like feeling our carefully curated collection brings to your space.
Founded in 2023 by Layla Zhuqing Ji, WoHomey began as a creative sanctuary and personal passion project amid the whirlwind of filmmaking. Layla has lovingly curated this collection featuring her mother’s handcrafted crochet treasures, her own daily creative hand-built pieces, precious finds from her international travels, meticulously quality-assured handpicked products, and original artwork by her boyfriend, Jason, under his brand “The Best Favorite.” For over the past year and a half, WoHomey has been doing a lot of pop-ups and are a part of several consignment stores across Los Angeles, which has helped at the start of the business to get a better idea of the geographic market across LA. After finding success in three consignment stores across the LA area—Westfield Sherman Oaks, Del Amo in Torrance, and Long Beach—WoHomey is proud to open its fourth location and first owner-operated storefront at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro. It is more than just a retail space, but also a creative space and a big family of small business owners/artists.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A few of our favorite spots would include:

Crafted at the Port of LA, Urban Americana in Long Beach, Melrose Trading Post, Long Beach Antique Fair and Torrance Antique Fair, Redondo Beach Best Quality Seafood, Torrance Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach! Hiking in Palos Verdes and San Pedro.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Layla: Shoutout to my boyfriend, Jason, who is also my collaborator on his art work under @thebestfavorite. He has been my best supporter throughout the pop ups and did all the heavy lifting for me. I am super lucky to have him by my side. And also my mom, who found her new passion through crochet and unconditionally supporting of my new adventure. I am so happy that she is now the top seller in my shop. Also thanks to all the fellow small business owners that I spoke with and they offered precious advices when I first had a lot of fear. They were all very genuine to share their experiences with me. I am very grateful for all the encouragement from everyone in my life.

Jason: Much, much love to my amazing girlfriend Layla for always believing in me. She lights a fire in my belly that gives me bonus strength. I know the world would be a much better place if everyone had their own version of Layla. She really helps me keep things in order and I know I’m so very lucky. Her determined drive is truly one of the wonders of my world!
Also, shoutout to my loving mom. I obviously wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for her and I’m forever grateful to have both these lovely ladies in my life.

Instagram: @wo_homey ; @thebestfavorite

Other: https://wohomey.etsy.com