Today we’d like to introduce you to Mj Kim, Ryan Kim
Hi MJ Kim, Ryan Kim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
GENIC started as nothing more than a napkin idea. It began with a simple thought: What if we could bring a photo booth experience to our college lives?
At the time, Ryan and I were just two UCLA students—he was studying Design Media Arts, deeply immersed in branding and storytelling, while I was pursuing Statistics and Data Science, always looking at things from a strategic and analytical perspective. Neither of us had experience in sales, manufacturing, marketing, finances, or branding, but that didn’t stop us.
One ordinary day on campus, I turned to Ryan and asked, “What if we put a photo booth on campus? Students could capture memories, and we could design custom UCLA-themed frames.” Without hesitation, Ryan said, “Let’s try it.”
That moment—the decision to act rather than just dream—became the foundation of GENIC.
From an Idea to a Business
With no roadmap and no prior experience, we dove in headfirst—researching manufacturers, navigating trademarks, forming an LLC, and learning the intricacies of sales and financing from scratch. We made mistakes, learned through trial and error, and figured things out step by step—sometimes the hard way.
Our first big breakthrough came when we launched our first machine in Sawtelle. It was surreal watching real customers interact with something we built from nothing. That moment made us realize: success isn’t about having the perfect idea—it’s about execution, adaptation, and relentless persistence.
One of the biggest milestones that will forever be in our hearts is our first partnership with Melo Melo. We practically lived there—checking the booth for errors, getting customer feedback, and making sure every part of the experience felt intentional. We weren’t just running a business; we were crafting something that people would cherish.
At the same time, we were learning how to build a brand from the ground up. We still laugh at our first few social media videos—far from perfect, awkward at times, but those early days taught us the value of experimentation, consistency, and listening to our community.
Scaling to a Movement
From those early pop-ups and boutique activations, GENIC started gaining traction. But what truly set the brand in motion was social media. People weren’t just using the booths; they were sharing their experiences, making GENIC an organic part of their digital lives.
Within less than a year of launching, GENIC became the first high-angle photo booth brand to establish a presence in major U.S. shopping malls like Westfield. We’ve collaborated with OfflineTV, Melo Melo, and top-tier venues, generating millions of social media impressions. And this is just the beginning.
A New Vision for Creativity & Connection
It was never easy. In fact, we knew nothing going in. And maybe, in some ways, we still don’t. But if there’s one belief that has carried us through, it’s this:
No one has life figured out—it’s everyone’s first time living. If someone else can do it, we can too.
GENIC isn’t just about photo booths. It’s about transforming ordinary moments into art. It’s about giving people a new way to document their memories—one that’s creative, elevated, and unforgettable.
Photobooths have always existed. But what if we could reimagine them? What if we could take something familiar and give it GENIC’s translation—its own unique perspective on creativity, branding, and storytelling?
We’re not just building a company. We’re redefining how people capture, share, and experience memories. And we’re just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Everyone says, “Enjoy your 20s, have fun, take it easy.” But if your goals are bigger than everyone else’s, why would you follow the same path? We never expected this to be easy. We started GENIC knowing it would be hard—and that’s exactly why we’re doing it.
We knew nothing in the beginning. We had never started a business before. There was no roadmap on how to build a high-angle, design-first photo booth brand from scratch. Everything—from sourcing manufacturers to understanding legal compliance—was a process of trial and error. And like most young entrepreneurs, we didn’t have investors handing us capital. Every dollar came from us. Every bit of profit went straight back into the business.
But the biggest challenges weren’t just financial. When we searched for manufacturers, we quickly learned that the industry wasn’t built for newcomers. Companies tried to scam us, vendors ignored us, and we had no experience in international shipping—especially for products bigger than us.
With no office space, we had no choice but to test out our photo booths in Ryan’s apartment. There was barely any room to walk, but it didn’t matter—because in the path to success, there is no formula. There’s only one thing you must go through to succeed: failure.
While we were building GENIC, we had no time to meet friends. In an entire year, we met friends less than five times. Every weekend, every late night, every moment was spent refining, building, and executing. But we believe that if you want to earn something, you have to sacrifice something. Success comes at a cost, and we were willing to pay it.
We’ve had countless ups and downs, but looking back each month, we can see the growth happening in real time. MJ had never done marketing before, but now she’s reaching millions of people online and has grown her personal following to over 15K. She’s been creating over 20 videos per week for the past six months, driving exposure and brand awareness. Meanwhile, Ryan has been handling sales, designing, and expanding GENIC into new venues—all while constantly improving our branding and customer experience.
There’s only two of us behind the entire operation, so we don’t have the luxury of specializing. We have to be problem solvers. We have to do everything at once.
Some people see hardship as their destiny.
We see hardship as our origin story.
And we’re just getting started.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its core, GENIC is not just a photo booth company—it’s a creative experience.
We are a creative photo studio specializing in high-angle, design-first photo booths that transform ordinary moments into shareable, artistic memories. We don’t just take photos; we create immersive, brand-driven experiences that fuse creativity, technology, and storytelling.
What Sets GENIC Apart?
Most photo booths are stagnant, predictable, and forgettable—we wanted to change that. Here’s how GENIC redefines the space:
✅ High-Angle Innovation – We introduced the first high-angle photo booth brand in major U.S. malls, offering a perspective that is more flattering, more dynamic, and more engaging than traditional booths.
✅ Branded Customization – Every booth is tailored to the venue, event, or brand, with custom frames, interactive experiences, and digital integrations that make every snapshot a marketing tool.
✅ Social Media-Optimized – GENIC isn’t just about capturing memories—it’s about turning every photo into shareable content. Our booths are designed to drive engagement, brand awareness, and organic social buzz.
✅ First-of-its-Kind Expansion – In less than a year, GENIC has become the first high-angle photo booth brand in major U.S. shopping malls like Westfield, alongside high-profile collaborations with OfflineTV, Melo Melo, and leading entertainment venues.
What We’re Most Proud Of
GENIC started as an idea between two college students and quickly became a brand that millions have engaged with. We take pride in being creators first and entrepreneurs second—we didn’t just build a company, we built a movement.
🌟 Scaling from an apartment to major U.S. malls in under a year.
🌟 Creating viral content that has reached millions, purely through organic engagement.
🌟 Turning a traditional industry into an exciting, modernized experience for the digital age.
🌟 Building a brand that isn’t just about photos—it’s about creativity, storytelling, and cultural impact.
What We Want Readers to Know
GENIC is for brands that want to elevate engagement, venues that want to drive foot traffic, and consumers who want a photo booth experience unlike any other.
If you’ve ever thought, “Photo booths are outdated,” we agree. That’s why we built GENIC—to reimagine an old experience with a fresh, modern perspective.
We’re not just here to capture moments—we’re here to create them. 🚀
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What We Love About LA
As two introverts, we appreciate that LA gives you the freedom to choose your pace. If you want to keep to yourself and enjoy quiet moments, you can. But if you want to dive into the city’s culture, there’s always something happening—from art shows to pop-ups to underground creative spaces.
For Ryan, with his background in Design Media Arts, LA’s gallery scene is one of the best parts of the city. There’s no shortage of inspiration—from world-class museums to hidden art spaces that push creative boundaries.
We also love how culturally diverse LA is, especially when it comes to food. The city is a melting pot of global flavors, and you can experience so many different cultures just by exploring different neighborhoods.
What We Don’t Love About LA
LA is an amazing city, but it feels like it’s getting messier every year. The contrast between its vibrant, creative energy and the growing disorganization, traffic, and unpredictability can be frustrating.
There was even a time we were just walking through the city, minding our own business, when a random person walked up to us, flipped us off, and started cursing us out for no reason. We were just chilling. It’s moments like that when you realize LA can be chaotic in ways you don’t expect.
That said, every city has its pros and cons, and for all its challenges, LA is still an incredible place to build something creative.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genicfilm/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/genicfilm
