On Location - South Seas Apartments (The Karate Kid)

Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Episode 100: On Location - South Seas Apartments (The Karate Kid)

Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez discuss the recent fire at the South Seas Apartments, most famously known for being Daniel LaRusso's home in The Karate Kid.

Jason & Sal also celebrate the show's milestone of hitting its 100th episode!

Original Episode: S04E12

Recorded: 03-14-22
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

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Transcript

Jason Connell: 3:38:06

Whoa, just curious. Welcome to this curious media. This is let's talk Cobra Kai. I'm Jason Connell.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:38:16

And I'm Sal Rodriguez.

Jason Connell: 3:38:17

All right, Sal, we are back for another incredibly special episode. But you're also not in studio. So why don't you tell everybody where you're at?

Sal Rodriguez: 3:38:29

Yes, I am currently on saticoy street just east of Tampa. I'm right outside of the seven seat waiting in seven seasons south.

Jason Connell: 3:38:41

Dallas affected because

Sal Rodriguez: 3:38:43

it's the South Seas. Yes, it is. Okay, I'm right outside of the South Seas apartment in receita. That's correct. That is Daniel's original apartment from the karate kid that has also been recently featured in the Cobra Congress.

Jason Connell: 3:38:56

Yes. And the address to be specific is 192 to three saticoy street receipt of California 91335. For anybody visiting the area please go by. I've actually been there several times. But the reason this popped up on my radar Sal and just real quickly on the South Seas apartments. Let's give him some props. On Google reviews. They have 39 of them. Well 5.0 rating. So solid place to live. Good for you the South Seas I guess those renovations and the Karate Kid part three really went a long way to securing these great reviews. But the reason this popped up on my radars because just recently I read an article because I'm not in Los Angeles now so I don't see the local news like I used to or listen on a local radio. And here was the headlines. fire breaks out at receita apartment building featured in Karate Kid and Cobra Kai I panicked Sal did you hear about this or did I put it on your radar?

Sal Rodriguez: 3:39:58

It's ironic that I live in the San Fernando Valley yet up on the East Coast put it on my radar but no you told me about this and the first thing I thought was oh no, I hope it did not burn to the ground that would have been devastating. So no, it was apparently isolated to one unit and the unit that it is I'm literally right outside of the unit right now I literally parked outside so when you face the building from when you're on saticoy you're facing the building, it would be on the right okay and so as soon as you walk into the complex it is the first unit on the right on the lower floor okay and the window is bordered here on the outside so it looks like it was fortunately contained to the bottom lower unit

Jason Connell: 3:40:38

man on the street. Thank gosh, we have you there Sal but before we go further there's some drama here because man you we have we panicked nothing can go wrong to the South Seas apartments. Yes, we have to give a word from our sponsor and I have another big thing to drop right after we do so I'm ready. Support for let's talk Cobra Kai is brought to you by manscaped who is the best in men's below the waist grooming and offers precision engineered tools for your family jewels. Join over 4 million men worldwide who trust manscaped and with this exclusive offer you'll get

Sal Rodriguez: 3:41:10

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Jason Connell: 3:41:17

Perfect. Well done. Well here's the big news because we left a little cliffhanger there. Some drama like a season finale drop on the status of the SE apartments. But here it is. I wanted to find the right episode that dropped this big news and this felt like we're going back to the mothership Daniel Russo's first home that we see in the Karate Kid and it's become famous ever since then. But this also coincides with let's talk Cobra Kai's 100th episode.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:41:48

Wow. I lost Dr. Dre. So fantastic. Well, you know what? Congratulations, Jason. Congratulations.

Jason Connell: 3:41:57

Thank you and right back at you and to all of our fans for helping us get here. Yeah, I was gonna make it a fan appreciation or I even thought maybe it'll tie him up with you know, the season finale of Cobra Kai, but it didn't you know, we had this pop up. I was like, Yeah, let's do this, because it all really started here. We get, you know, to the South Seas department so early in the film, and I thought why not? Because we don't like to brag or, you know, raise our own flag and run around the block and say, hey, it just happens to be 100 It's a great milestone. Yeah, I mean, hey, we're three digits man. I can't believe it.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:42:31

I think that's very very exciting and to add to the excitement as we speak, two guys pulled up in a truck and they appear to be fans they are one guy is taking pictures of the building when across street he's taking pictures and bloody went outside talking on the phone they seem to be referring to the building so these guys are absolutely Cobra Kai and or Karate Kid fans right in front of me right here as I speak to you.

Jason Connell: 3:42:52

So they're not handyman looking for oh, no, no, no, they are definitely have GIS on as well.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:42:58

They didn't just appear very interested in this apartment that taking photographs and not appear to be handyman. No.

Jason Connell: 3:43:04

Maybe you can interview them after we wrap up If you could just get their reactions.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:43:09

Yes, yeah. The San Fernando Valley, we don't have an Eiffel Tower. We don't have an empire state building. But we have the South Seas apartment.

Jason Connell: 3:43:17

And that's so true. And now due to the logistics that we have with you on the phone, kind of like a reporter on the scene, we're not recording to YouTube live right now, like we've been doing since we've turned that switch on. So maybe if you could, you know, get a clip film something that we could maybe upload to our YouTube channel, just showing the status of the SE departments and as you just said, you've actually gotten in I've actually been by there three times, but I never made it past the gate. So you have full access now. So it seems like

Sal Rodriguez: 3:43:48

I think that the gate, I don't know if I should probably but it seems like the gate seems to be broken. I went over to the gate. I pulled on the gate and it just opened right up and I walked around in the courtyard I walked by the pool, I looked up at Daniel and Lucille is all department number 20. I was there and also I was befriended by an adorable little black cat named midnight that has a color name called Midnight and he was like, all over my feet and nipping at me like this little cat. I almost felt like it was the ghost of Miyagi welcoming me to the South Seas.

Jason Connell: 3:44:17

I like that. So you didn't have to kick the gate in a knock over 140 Fernandez,

Sal Rodriguez: 3:44:22

I did not have to and unfortunately the lady was not there with her dog by the pool unfortunate.

Jason Connell: 3:44:27

Well, also, I noticed the gates no longer a wooden gate, you can actually see through the gate, you can see the swimming pool and everything right and

Sal Rodriguez: 3:44:32

the gate opens outward. So if you kicked it, what happened? What's

Jason Connell: 3:44:36

you'd hurt your leg? Yes. So well, here was the article. And this is what got me really worked up. I was completely terrified that we were going to lose it. You know, much like that fire that happened on the back lot at Universal a few years ago, if you recall on the clock tower was in danger. In fact, it may be damaged. It was a scary moment as well. So that Yeah. So on Sunday, March 6 2022, firefighters responded to the well known South Seas apartment building and receded after a blaze erupted in one of its

units shortly before 11: 3:45:07

30pm. Now more than two dozen firefighters help contain the fire to a single unit. And salads hope and you've already kind of explained this. But it was not unit 20 which is on the second floor. And you've already put my mind at ease. And it was on the first floor on the right side not number 20 on the left, right.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:45:28

Yeah, it was definitely it's the first on the right side, which would be the most southeast corner of the building. So when you're facing the building from Saturday, it is on the right immediately as soon as you walk in the gate is right there on the right.

Jason Connell: 3:45:38

Okay. Well, they contained to that single unit and extinguish the flames in about 13 minutes according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Now there was smoke damage to other units on the floor above and for patients were treated at the scene. At least two of those patients were transported to a local hospital and are in unknown condition. So they were okay. Yeah, this was a smoke is as you know, it can be just as deadly as fire. And then this is a release the Fire Department put out thankfully everyone escaped the building as audible alarms can be heard from functional smoke detectors warning occupants of the danger. So this was really a scary scene. It's 1130 on a Sunday. Most people are asleep cell and then all of a sudden this is going on fire alarms going off. And then the article goes on to say And we know this but I loved reading it. The South Seas was the filming location of Daniel Russo's apartment in the original Karate Kid movie. The building was also featured recently in the Cobra Kai series based on the popular 80s movie. And lastly it says the cause of the fire is under investigation. So that's all we got. There was some trauma and people retreated smoke damage and man those firefighters acted swiftly. 13 minutes two dozen firefighters Thank you Thank you. Thank you Los Angeles Fire Department for saving the South Seas apartments

Sal Rodriguez: 3:47:01

yeah you know I'm proud to say that my oldest brother is a Los Angeles City firefighter and again I chat with him about his you know, his day's work you know, I don't know if he has any insight as to this because he's out in Seal Beach or Long Beach at the present moment but yeah, I'm very impressed because yeah, it does appear it is absolutely was what's contained to this one unit and I see no other damage other than to the inside a little bit of a black markings you know outside of the unit but it was definitely contained to this one unit so we're very proud of the firefighters for doing so they did a great job.

Jason Connell: 3:47:31

I bet yourself that happened with that door if it's not locking maybe when the fire department came through I mean they take things off of cars are in the way get insurance whatever it takes you don't you're saving lives you're saving souls first of all, and then it's like containment and amazing job. I have some friends who are firefighters as well as like your brother and yeah, I love hearing their stories, their heroic and their efforts and thank you again. Now I have to say so not to make light of this by any means but thank goodness I wasn't the one calling 911 is I would have sent them to the seven seas apartments and I'd be driving all over the valley look confer something that does not exist and there'll be more damage so and actually now you as well we have been scorned with my my inaccuracies, but I cleaned that up by credit card part three special episode I was no longer saying Seven Seas but it was that dharna Eurythmics song from back in the day, you know how it goes. So

Sal Rodriguez: 3:48:23

sweet dreams are made of is, who am I to dis agree, I travel the world and the seven everybod is looking for some? Yeah, it could have been that it's funny

Jason Connell: 3:48:40

that you were able to deduce it. That's what Well, I kept saying that I would actually go by that font is if you've never seen the font I you know, Google it, look at the images. Heck, watch the Karate Kid or a Cobra Kai but it's a really cool kind of retro a font and I just looked real quick and was like, Yeah, of course. It's the seven C's not the sound suits. And I was going off but it makes more sense. You know, it's probably the south part of the valley and receipt and a whatever it was, but I got on the right path. And now I've got you doing my mistakes. But I'm glad you're there. I'm glad if I still lived in LA I would have gone there immediately. I'm glad everyone's okay. And I hope more filming in zoos their sound upcoming seasons of Cobra Kai.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:49:23

Yeah, you know, I was around the back of the building. The building is actually pretty long. You don't you can't really tell for the front. But I walked around the side alleyway and went all the way to the back. And I tried to locate what would have been the Yagis old officer whispering shop. Yeah, yeah. But I couldn't really identify it. Was it on the left side of the building when you're when you're in the back?

Jason Connell: 3:49:41

You know, I don't know. I kind of drove around or I looked around. I'm not even 1,000% sure that all of that was there. Like it was his I guess it was I guess the credit card? It probably was but I didn't know if maybe the interiors for his dwelling his office, his workshop or somewhere else. I've never heard. But I thought it was around the side. I know the dumpsters over there and the fences there. Now we both know that the school is not just past the grass. Right. Like when Daniel runs from the Halloween dance. The school is not that close to the South Seas. I know that for sure. Okay. Yeah.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:50:14

Because you would think that it was just a gate separating that field and

Jason Connell: 3:50:17

Exactly, yeah. Well, there's probably new buildings, new developments in that area. But well,

Sal Rodriguez: 3:50:23

I went all the way to the back and I tried to get close to peek over what would have been the grassy area that Daniel had run from from the corporate guys. But it's like, like a little farm back. There's like chickens and I really couldn't get over.

Jason Connell: 3:50:35

That's funny. Yeah, so we don't know for sure. On Mr. Miyagi workshop. We're not for certain on that. But in my mind, it all was their self contained to that building. Because the credit card it seems like they were using all these real locations, right? So why not? Why not to say hey, yeah, we'll make this we'll staves this as his workshop. So yeah, most buildings have a super or someone or maintenance guy and he needs to have his stuff in there. Right and his bonsai trees and whatnot.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:51:03

Yeah, by the way, there is a little area that I think, is Miyagi, because there is an exterior, there is a moment or two where we see the outside of Miyagi workspace. So I think I did identify what would have been the exterior of Miyagi is working.

Jason Connell: 3:51:18

Awesome. And again, thank goodness, everyone's okay. But really, also to that point, I'm glad it wasn't unit 20 wouldn't have been weird. If it was, oh, my gosh, it would have been like they had someone had to break in or they were partying, and they're, you know, something's amiss. It happened to be 20. Now, I don't know what unit Friday Fernandez was in. I don't think he ever divulged is that

Sal Rodriguez: 3:51:42

we don't know which one he lived in. We don't know. Interesting, interesting thought.

Jason Connell: 3:51:47

Yeah. Are the old lady with the dog? So could have been one of theirs. But do you get the number? Did you get the actual number of the unit? Well, it's right

Sal Rodriguez: 3:51:56

below 27. So I'm thinking it might be 17 Maybe. Okay, all right, because I wasn't able to identify 27 But the front door of this place was kind of blocked out. So it was hard to see I really couldn't identify the numbers. But I just deductive reasoning would tell me that if 27 was a club, that would have been seven teammates,

Jason Connell: 3:52:14

and I'm also glad to hear that other fans are going by and probably scared like us, like, oh my gosh, let's go make sure it's still there. Or maybe they're oblivious to it. But like you said, there's not a lot of these locations but in the valley per se, but the Karate Kid has so many great ones from Ali's house to golf and stuff to this school that I used to walk around with Nico and woodland hills and absolutely the one that we all remember so well is the southeast apartments.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:52:43

You know, Jason, I'll tell you as a as a lifelong San Fernando Valley resident who has actually sat down with LA city council members, talking with them about the absorption of the San Fernando Valley and how the San Fernando Valley is losing its identity to Greater Los Angeles. Los Angeles is just swallowing up the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley used to have its own strong identity that I believe is being lost and as far as I'm concerned, Cobra I and by extension the entire credit cut universe is one of the last what venues or avenues or arenas to give life to reinvigorate the San Fernando Valley. It's just to honor the history of the San Fernando Valley. I'm proud of Cobra Kai for many reasons, but that is absolutely one of them. Keeps the San Fernando Valley long

Jason Connell: 3:53:28

so well puts out and that's why you and I and others love when they actually come into Los Angeles and shoot because Cobra Kai for the most part is shot in Atlanta, but they do scenes they have actually been to the South Seas apartments. They went to Ali's house in Encino just a season ago. So we do love it. I hope they do more of that salad honors that tradition but as you just said, doing it or not Cobra Kai is absolutely keeping the valley alive and well. Let's help other productions use that as a backdrop to Let's hope the new Paul Thomas Anderson movie licorice pizza is all based in San Fernando Valley.

Sal Rodriguez: 3:54:04

Interesting. Okay, so as a kid I remember licorice Pete's I think it was what music retailers. Is that what it was?

Jason Connell: 3:54:09

I know. I didn't know of it. Okay, no, I

Sal Rodriguez: 3:54:11

remember licorice pizza. Yeah, I mean, I remember it. But I forgot what it was, I think it was was music retailers along with Well, we had Sam Goody at one time and all that. I mean, we're going back way back Tower Records all that. I mean, this is going back Valley history. By the way, there are a couple of San Fernando Valley museums. There's one called the San Fernando Valley relics museum. And I think there's one called the San Fernando Valley Museum that are two museums, all about the culture of the San Fernando Valley which which by the way I have yet to visit, but I definitely plan to visit

Jason Connell: 3:54:34

sounds like he should be hosting some events there. I think

Sal Rodriguez: 3:54:38

I wouldn't have be great. By the way speaking. I'm going to try to create a San Fernando Valley event related to Cobra Kai Karate Kid which I'll talk to you about all fair. And if it does get going, it's going to be for me very exciting for our show, and very excited for Encino, in particular.

Jason Connell: 3:54:53

I'm liking the sounds of that. So I guess that's all we got. You're there. You're gonna get some video clips for us. You can confirm right here and now that the South Seas apartment is alive and well and Okay, and we'll continue on. And thank you to all of our fans for helping us reach our 100th episode. Oh my

Sal Rodriguez: 3:55:14

gosh, it's so exciting. Yes, thank you to all of our listeners all over the Patreon. All of our supporters all the people that love our show, leave us comments leave us reviews leave us messages. I'm really honored that we have an avid listenership and yeah, to have our 100th episode, even though you know when you and I met up recently to do let's talk Cobra Kai, I've had plenty of experience in podcasting, but I have never hit 100 never hit 100. So it's both a personal owner as well.

Jason Connell: 3:55:40

Me too. It was great. I knew at some point we'll be at this I kept thinking, well, we'll just do Tennessee's and this is way before we had spawned special episodes. Besides the original our original episode was the Karate Kid. But that just got us moving. And then to think wow, we're gonna have these other episodes this that and the other the show's gonna go to netflix and grow from there. So yeah, it's an honor. We're an uncharted territory sell and here's to reach 100 and here's to the next 100

Sal Rodriguez: 3:56:07

Oh, yeah, very much. So yeah, thank you. And it's my pleasure and honor.

Jason Connell: 3:56:11

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Sal Rodriguez: 3:56:18

get 20% off and free shipping with the code Cobra Kai manscape.com

Jason Connell: 3:56:22

So thank you so much for listening and please be sure to subscribe to the let's talk Cobra Kai podcast as well as the let's talk Cobra Kai YouTube Live Channel. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast

Sal Rodriguez: 3:56:34

and for all your listeners and enjoy sharing your thoughts. You could leave us a review on Apple podcasts, send us a direct message or post a comment on any let's talk Cobra Kai social media platform.

Jason Connell: 3:56:44

If you're a dedicated listener or viewer of Let's Talk Cobra Kai, please consider supporting the show on Patreon. We also highly recommend checking out our other podcast and visiting just curious media.com No Mercy