Daily Inspiration: Meet Yoojin Kang

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

Hi Yoojin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Back in my home country, South Korea, there is a saying: ‘If you crave something so badly, the only way to escape is to get what you crave.’ I’ve always had a deep desire to create my own world filled with my favorite people, events, and things. Realistically, that’s impossible, so I turned to the one tool unique to humans: imagination. Imagining a better world, sometimes even the worst version of it, allowed me to conduct my own social experiments within those realms. My head was filled with all sorts of ‘what ifs.’ Growing up, I realized that these thoughts could lead to a career in writing. It seemed so cool to be able to show the world I meticulously built and to impact people with it, serving as a metaphor for our world. I hoped my message would resonate as widely as possible. So, I decided to write my scripts in English. Creating something in your second language is a wild experience, and it’s something I’m very proud of. Living in LA and meeting diverse, varied people has made me realize the importance of being a good person to be a good writer, especially considering the potential impact I might have. So, I am now in the process of becoming a better person, which will be a never-ending journey in my life. 

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 been anything but a smooth road. There have been numerous doubts and failures. There was a time when I found myself crying while writing because I was compelled to include a nude scene that went against my values. Another time, I was told that I needed to learn how to write from scratch. On a different occasion, my idea was compared to something a bad producer would come up with. Beyond these creative and professional challenges, I juggled three part-time jobs to sustain my life, a testament to the financial and personal struggles I’ve faced. 

Undoubtedly, there are many more challenges ahead. Money, stability, the language barrier, missed opportunities, and luck are factors beyond my control. However, I believe the most important aspect when facing struggles is our perspective towards them. Nowadays, my motto is not to take everything too seriously. It might sound cliché, but taking everything to heart can sometimes drain all your energy, making it hard to move on or continue. So, I’ve learned to take things seriously only when absolutely necessary or choose what to eat for dinner. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My focus and fascination lie with humanity. A favorite writer of mine once said in an interview in response to the observation, ‘Humans are all alike,’ a concept I contemplate every time I encounter diverse individuals—whether they evoke feelings of envy or they are impoverished, affluent, or geniuses. Ultimately, we are all human, living our singular, finite lives against the relentless ticking of time, each with our unique concerns, sorrows, and joys. This universality of the human experience is what I aim to capture in my writing. 

I primarily write TV series because my propensity for detailed storytelling finds limitations within the confines of a movie script. My work explores the extreme spectrums of the human condition, delving into genres like thriller and comedy to showcase the varied facets of humanity. I pride myself on creating impactful content that carries a significant social message, as conveying profound truths to the world is my primary motivation for writing. 

Anger towards discrimination, injustice, agony, death, and identity crises fuels my creative process. These themes often reach a boiling point that compels me to write, channeling my frustrations into narratives that highlight these issues. Lately, my focus has been on queer identity and diaspora, aspects deeply interwoven with my own identity, which not only informs my storytelling but also sets me apart by bringing authentic, underrepresented perspectives to the forefront of mainstream media. 

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
To me, the essence of success is personal satisfaction. It begs the question: Do I lead a life that fulfills me? If the answer is yes, then I consider myself successful. In today’s media-saturated world, where we’re constantly bombarded with images of beauty, wealth, and kindness, it can be challenging to remain content with what we have. However, it’s crucial to establish our own benchmarks for happiness and to discern what truly brings us joy. 

Finding genuine happiness involves identifying what you sincerely enjoy and love. For me, contentment comes from simple pleasures—getting a good night’s sleep, having friends to confide in, or even booking a flight ticket to New York City. Am I happy? Yes. Am I satisfied with my life? Absolutely. This sense of contentment and fulfillment is my pathway to success. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adaadafighting/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoojin-kang-3921102b5/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@user-ew3wc3oi3d

Image Credits
Chaewon Suh
Lilian Alhakim