Check Out Lyena Kang’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyena Kang.

Hi Lyena, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Integrate don’t Eliminate – for anyone starting a new career, a new chapter, a new life

Instead of going the traditional route, I went with the flow based on my experiences in my life. It led me on a journey of self-discovery where I was able to be independent and create a new identity for myself. It was that adrenaline and excitement that brought me to LA, where I met the kindest and coolest artists who are now my very close friends. I didn’t know how long I would be a part of this community, nor did I plan for it, it just happened. After ten years in the industry from 2013-2022, I did everything I could have possibly dreamed of. From booking dream jobs, times square with my mom, traveling with my LA family, developing the best relationships with casting directors, working in casting, building my creative packages that showcase all my passions, and finally creating a model mentor program for artists who want to learn how to express themselves and how to be an independent model/artist like me. I did it all and with every single hair color, haircut, and look I could do hehe.

What now? It was a question I asked myself in 2020 when the pandemic happened. It shifted our worldviews and mindset, but most importantly I questioned my morals, ethics, and what I wanted out of life. As I turned 25/26, I felt something shift in my mentality, I started to become desensitized to all the castings, self-tapes, and LA lifestyle on the grind of always wanting more. I wanted to slow down, find myself again, and give myself the space to grow. I’m the type of person who doesn’t enjoy complacency, I have to be doing something new, innovative, and meaningful. That is why in 2021 I decided to distance myself from modeling professionally and focus on what I could do with all the skills I’ve developed in the last ten years. My skill set doubled from learning how to be an independent model to being able to work with 10 of my students. The model mentor program and my student’s stories are what inspired me to go back to my roots, Psychology. In undergrad, I got my bachelors in Psychology, but I didn’t feel that I knew myself enough to counsel others. I didn’t even know who I was and that to me was more important than finding a career at the time. It could be from childhood trauma, being the oldest sibling taking care of my family, and various life circumstances that made me want to run away. I ran away to LA and never looked back.

I’m grateful I made a name for myself in LA and my reputation is solid as a professional to a mentor now. I’ve learned so much about my students and this industry and watching it grow from when I started just made every decision I made feel full circle. Now I know who I am, I know what I want to do with my skills, and now I know why because I feel myself reverting to that little girl and chasing her dream. It was to become a therapist or school counselor, I remember how much I fell in love with psychology. I made my Instagram initially to go live and share what I learned in school. I love learning! I took another risk on myself and I only applied to my dream graduate school for my master’s and PPS credential in educational counseling. I got in! That decision was one of the hardest to make because I felt so comfortable in my industry. But when I got uncomfortable because of this graduate process, I learned so much about myself that I even started therapy. There were so many things from my past that I did not want to face and this industry perpetuated so many distractions for me. I always knew that I wanted a simple life with my loved ones. I wanted to build a stable foundation to have my dream life, not just a career. Now I’m currently in my dream program learning all over again about morals, ethics, and values. I’m noticing that my values have shifted a lot and even the way I think is more objective and coherent. I am developing into this whole adult and I’m so blessed to be here where I am constantly challenging my fears head-on and for the first time doing what I want. I’ve never felt more powerful or more myself and I can’t imagine who I would be if I decided to stay, just shrink to fit in. I’ve learned through this tumultuous process that I am meant to make waves wherever I go.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road by any means. Everything from making a name for myself in this industry, where people respect or are inspired by my work was hard. Why? I had to be honest and share my bad experiences so that others would know because I did not want anyone to go through what I had to learn. That is why I decided to build my model course to teach models/artists the fundamentals of our industry and to teach how and why it is so important to know yourself. I came into this industry not knowing a single thing and instead of taking the time to learn, I just jumped in and absorbed everything. I had to learn what was ethical and what was not going to align with me. I had to learn how to build clear and strong boundaries with others so I do not get taken advantage of. I had to learn how to deal with rejection head-on and live with my insecurities. I had to learn how to differentiate between real supportive friends and energy vampires. It is not easy because every day you’re dealing with people, your worth is being measured, and you never feel good enough. It came with heaps of depression, extreme burnout, workaholic tendencies, and an inflated ego.

However, I was always great at writing and self-reflection led me to express the thoughts that keep me imprisoned by my mind. The minute I unleashed everything unfiltered I realized I was not alone and at that point, all I wanted to do was help others and be their mentor. I wanted to push these amazing artists starting to develop their rates and to know their worth. I wanted to push them to see their potential and put them in big rooms where they can have their dream opportunity. I wanted them to work with my network, casting directors I have built a strong relationship with, and make modeling more accessible to everyday artists who have so much potential. I’m so proud because I got to cast amazing artists in dream jobs, including my best friends, and watch my model mentee students book their dream jobs and tell me all about it! Nothing feels better than knowing my students are developing their growth with me physically, mentally, and spiritually. I know exactly what their needs are and I work with them in this industry to help them get everything they need to succeed and more. That’s exactly why I decided to become a school counselor because I realized among my students, who are mainly adults from their early 20s to 40s that there’s a disconnect between themselves in early childhood to adolescence.

Every student wanted to take my course because they wanted to understand more about themselves, they wanted to beat these self-limiting beliefs that hold them back, and finally, they wanted to prove to themselves that they can do it! No height, size, skin color, disability, age, or injuries could hold my students back, not with me. Differences do not equal limitation is a mantra I live by now coined by my mentor May Lin who is a social worker now who I first met in undergrad. I could not have gotten into my dream school without her and I’m so grateful she understands me and what I do. That is the hardest part because sometimes I self-sabotage, I let my doubts get to me and will run away or get distracted. Facing the truth is the best thing you can do for your mental health. I faced my fear of driving, of rebuilding a relationship with my dad who once abandoned me, went to therapy, and attended grad school to become a school counselor. I am so excited for my path to unfold as I am growing. I am always encouraging others to grow with me! I’m so thankful for my family and ALL my loved ones. My best friend Soo is an RN at her dream hospital. My LA family, Lloyd having his first gallery in LA and a dream NYFW producing for the iconic Alabama Blonde! Talon for pushing me to pursue grad school and they are too! Hope you get into your dream Ph.D. program! Kaley moved from Detroit back to Cali to build a dream life with her husband. I’m surrounded by so much growth and love.

The fight, the hard work is not easy but it is the best decision you’ll ever make! Nothing worth having comes easy!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My professional life and career are different. In my professional life, I am a graduate student learning as much as I can about education and how to make it more accessible to all students. I am also a writing tutor at my school to help students learn how to express themselves or if they need support, I am there to give that to them. I am practicing what I’m learning and implementing all these new skills into my work. The integration has been amazing to witness. My therapist told me to integrate don’t eliminate! There is so much overlap between what I do in my professional life and what I also do in my career as a model mentor. I’m looking forward to my journey as I begin to mesh both of my worlds into one. That has always been my goal, to fill in the gap! I’m so grateful to have the best of friends who are always down to experiment and create! Ala, Breeze, and Rain thank you for being such a magical part of my life. I never feel 26 when we are playing dress-up and running through the fields. Ala, you are one of the most amazing film photographers I have ever met who are so intentional about every move on camera, every placement, and angle. You illicit so many raw emotions because of your fiery yellow-haired energy. Breeze and Rain, you are both the artistic loving sisters I’ve never had! Thank you for reminding me to slow down and experiment with painting, crafts, yummy food, and thrifting. Thank you for rolling with my crazy ideas and supporting me throughout my entire journey, wearing LOLITA in this shoot was such a dream, we all got to explore our inner child once again.

I would say in both my professional life and career, I’m known to guide others to find their path, give support, or listen. I do feel like a therapist at times, but I try my best to stay away from that and just offer insight based on my experiences. I also do consultations that help me understand who I am working with and what their needs are. I’m learning that I am quite a problem solver and I love to dissect everything. I am detail-oriented and intentional with every decision I make. My model course is made for ANYONE, but you have to put in the work. You have to learn to hold yourself accountable in my course and bring that skill to your reality. In my course, I focus on the psychology of who we are, how we can use our strengths or even differences to empower ourselves, and how to use new creative skills to become more independent. I believe learning new skills is fundamental for growth. Having taught myself how to photograph, style, do my makeup, go thrifting for looks, and how video editing has been a game changer for me.

In this industry, you have to learn how to wear many hats because you can become known for some of them! Having a strength like that is so powerful because others will recognize your work. I am here to help my students get to that place where they understand their strengths and how to best market them in a meaningful and valuable way. I push for my students to truly challenge themselves and step outside their comfort zone because that is the only way to grow. It’s not just physical either, there are many mental challenges we talk about in my course that we have 1-on-1 consultations on. Sometimes it’s finding a support group or friends to help you stay on your journey and that’s why I created a model group chat where I send castings I get personally, send a friend’s casting, or teach my models to send their connections as well. They book a job, and we all win. They get a connection and we use all our resources to share, talk about situations, and get support! I set this system up this way so that even if I am not present, my students are sending and helping each other all the time. I am teaching my students the power of dream work, of no such thing as competition, these jobs are abundant in nature, there is space for everyone, and understanding this mindset and applying it to your life is true inner confidence.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Reach out! Ask your friends! Talk to everyone and everybody! Who do you communicate with well? Who understands you? Who will support you? Who will push you when you feel like giving up?

I suggest finding multiple mentors, not just one! One who has known you for a long time and knows your real-life challenges. One who you met in the industry who you respect, look up to and are inspired by. One who will be there to give you space to grow and become who you want to be. One who will support you no matter what. One who you can ultimately grow with as well! One who is willing to be honest with you and tell you like it is so you can better understand the industry. I have more than a few mentors in my life who played this role for me and guided me. I had one from high school, in undergrad, my best friend, my LA family, my hair colorist, casting directors I looked up to, other amazing models ahead of me, and even newer artists I have just met. It doesn’t matter how long or how little you know someone, if someone can see you for you right away and what you want to do –that’s your mentor. You can have a mentor in many different fields, for example, a lot of YouTubers were my mentor, they helped me develop and clarify my mindset. Books are my mentors. Artists or people in my life that inspire me are my mentors. Do not put mentors in a box because they exist everywhere you just have to be present to see them!!

Pricing:

• My model course $600

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kitsuneghost.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitsuneghost/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJU6BSpMwSgrJPb05jKnlEw
• Model Consultation: https://forms.gle/CsUXz17gzeT3o4YPA

Image Credits
Photographer: Ala Cho IG: @a.la.cho Stylists + Models Lyena Kang IG: @Kitsuneghost Breeze Yue @etudiers Rain Chan @jiyiuu