Check Out Yooyeon Yy Kim’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yooyeon Yy Kim

Hi Yooyeon YY, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started out as a classical singer during my undergrad days, then shifted gears to become a flower designer running my shop(Very random right?). Eventually, like the prodigal son returning (laughs), I found my way back to stage directing, and now here I am, making films.

To give you a snapshot of my life in the U.S., I arrived in August 2021 to pursue a master’s degree at Florida State University. By September 2022, I had moved to LA, where I was first introduced to filmmaking. I was lucky—serendipitously befriending a director who offered a second AD for his set, and it felt like fate stepping in. I’m not sure if the entire universe conspired to help, but since then, I’ve been immersed in the film industry. I’ve met incredible peers along the way, leading me to encounter the EP/Director Sara from Studio Inganmi. Now, I’m forging ahead with my career alongside the talented members of Studio Inganmi. While I wouldn’t mind returning to stage directing if the opportunity arises, it seems the stars have aligned for me to focus on film for the foreseeable future.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
On the surface, my journey might seem smooth, but internally, it’s been quite a rollercoaster. Leaving my career in Korea to move to the U.S., and transitioning from Florida to California in just three years was a bold move. Even for someone as brave as I am, I often doubted whether I was on the right path.

Watching my friends back home start to shine in their careers made me feel like a stranger who didn’t quite belong anywhere. I wrestled a lot with self-realization and was nearly consumed by negative thoughts. Just when I felt overwhelmed, I met the colleagues who are by my side today. They’ve helped resolve much of that inner conflict. Though I’m still anxious, unstable, and vulnerable, the presence of supportive peers makes this journey far more enjoyable and interesting than going it alone.

There’s a funny anecdote I’d like to share. One day, Director Sara asked me, “YY, when did you stop doubting yourself?” What’s hilarious is that I was riddled with doubts about my career and future just the night before. That question made me realize that others might see me as confident and assured, so I thought, ‘Why not start believing and cheering for myself too, right?’

I’m deeply grateful to Sara for asking that question. It helped me recognize beautiful aspects of myself I hadn’t noticed and gave me the chance to come to terms with my own worth. To anyone reading this, I want to say, “You’re doing just fine.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Recently, I’ve been deeply immersed in film production. Having worked in Korea, I’m particularly focused on leveraging that experience to envision collaborations between Korea and the U.S., and even more broadly with Asia. There’s a growing desire among Korean actors to work with diverse productions, and as you might know, Korea has an abundance of talented actors. My goal, and what I’m currently working on, is to serve as a bridge for these actors and other creators. Through our production, I aim to create a platform where they can work together and showcase their artistry. This role of facilitating creative collaborations is what I’m most dedicated to achieving.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Feel free to send me a message on my Instagram profile, or email me. You can also contact me through the Studio Inganmi website! I’m looking forward to various collaborations across different fields!
Here’s my ig @yyooyeonkim

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studioinganmi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yyooyeonkim/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@studio.inganmi

Image Credits
Vinh Pham