Hidden Gems: Meet Jason Choi of Ja2on Oppahair

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Choi.

Jason, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Korea until my late twenties and worked for about seven years in the fashion industry.
That career gave me opportunities to live in different countries — China, Japan, the Philippines, and eventually Australia.
In 2014, I decided to come to the United States — not simply to live abroad, but to test my own potential and values.
It was one of the biggest, and perhaps the last, bold challenges of my life.

With the belief, “Create with my skills, earn recognition, and be respected for my work,”
I enrolled at Palace Beauty College in Los Angeles.
Through school, I discovered salons renowned for balayage and ombré techniques.
Before graduation, I interviewed at one of them and began working there right after receiving my cosmetology license in July 2017.

Since high school, I’ve always been particular about my hair — too straight, too stubborn to style —
which often clashed with Korea’s conservative school culture.
Even back then, I was unusually sensitive to shape and texture, always trying to make small changes that felt more like “me.”

Later, while living in Australia, I couldn’t visit salons regularly,
so I bought clippers and started cutting and blending my own hair.
That was probably my first step into hair design.
It was clumsy, but within that trial, I found curiosity — and a quiet sense of direction.

At my first salon, I was determined to learn efficiently because I had started later than most.
I realized early on that this craft wasn’t just about technique — it required sensitivity, rhythm, and artistic taste.
So, after hours, I stayed behind to observe my mentor’s blow-dry angles, brush movements, and the subtle changes in texture.
Everything I learned came from patience and observation.

Over four years — including the pandemic — I grew steadily under my mentor’s guidance,
and by the final stage of that journey, I earned the title of junior designer.

Later, I moved to a large salon in Irvine to broaden my sense of design.
Watching experienced stylists work so quickly and precisely made me realize how much more there was to learn.
I practiced constantly — not only on my days off but even during drives, watching tutorials and studying whenever I could.

But after five intense months, I hit a wall.
I realized that working hard alone isn’t enough to make everything happen.
That was when I knew I needed to pause, reflect, and find an environment that truly fit me.
Thankfully, I was able to start fresh at a salon in Buena Park.

For two and a half years, I worked closely with a seasoned mentor who trusted me and shared not only skills but philosophy.
Those years shaped my own design identity and mindset.

Through my experiences in LA, Irvine, and Buena Park, I encountered diverse clients and broadened my stylistic range. Those who are curious can also catch glimpses of my work on Instagram, where every style — from coloring and cutting to perms and styling— tells part of my journey.

Eventually, I opened my own studio at Salon Republic in Huntington Beach —
a small but meaningful space where I can connect with clients more personally.
Within that space are the lessons, challenges, and growth that shaped me over the years.
Even now, every time I hold my scissors, I can feel that long journey reflected through my hands.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was far from smooth.
Starting over in a new country meant rebuilding everything from the ground up — language, culture, and relationships.

To cover tuition and living expenses, I attended beauty school during the day and worked late nights at a Korean BBQ restaurant.
There were times when my body simply couldn’t keep up — I often had nosebleeds from exhaustion and eventually had to take a month off from school to recover.
But through those exhausting days, I learned discipline, endurance, and the importance of never giving up.

Even after I began my career, things weren’t easy.
The beauty industry moves fast and can be highly competitive.
Instead of lifting each other up, some people choose gossip, comparisons, or subtle rivalries that can wound others.
Through that experience, I learned how to protect my energy and stay focused on my own path.
In the end, I realized that true professionalism is proven not only through skill, but also through one’s character and attitude.

In the beginning, my challenges weren’t just about expressing myself in English.
Hairstyling is a profession that’s judged in real time — right there, in front of the client.
Every look, every reaction becomes immediate feedback.
For someone like me, still learning both the language and the culture, that pressure was intense.
But I didn’t run from it; I faced it head-on and slowly found my rhythm.

Now, clients come to me not for flashy trends,
but because they trust my honesty, precision, and balanced sensibility.
For me, these are more than just habits — they are my philosophy and my strength.
Trends may change, but sincerity and attention to detail never go out of style.

We’ve been impressed with Ja2on Oppahair , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve been running my private studio, Ja2on_oppahair, inside Salon Republic in Huntington Beach for about a year and two months now.
It’s located within Pacific City Shopping Mall, a lively yet relaxing spot where the ocean unfolds just steps away.
I chose this location because I loved the sense of openness — the mix of the mall’s convenience, the ocean view, and the natural light that makes even a private studio feel spacious and calm.
I wanted my clients not only to get their hair done but also to enjoy a small moment of refreshment and peace.

At Ja2on_oppahair, I offer total hair services for both men and women — including haircuts, texture and straight perms, and color work such as balayage, ombré, and natural gray blending.
But my focus isn’t simply on technique.
I pay close attention to each client’s unique discomforts, hair condition, and lifestyle, analyzing what might need adjustment or correction.
Through that process, I aim to design looks that not only improve appearance but also bring back comfort, confidence, and balance to each person’s everyday life.
It’s less about creating dramatic change and more about finding harmony through thoughtful detail.

What truly matters to me is not being “different,” but being consistent, sincere, and trustworthy.
I value long-term relationships built on mutual respect,
where care and understanding grow naturally over time.
To me, that steady connection is the most meaningful part of this work.

The name “Ja2on_oppahair” often makes people curious.
In Korean culture, the word “Oppa” conveys warmth, friendliness, and a sense of closeness — it feels approachable, but still respectful.
That’s exactly what I want my studio to be:
a professional yet comfortable space where beauty feels genuine and personal, not distant or intimidating.

Many of my clients tell me they appreciate how thorough and detail-oriented I am.
Some even tease me for being too meticulous, but I take that as a compliment.
I’ve always believed that high standards and precision come from care, not perfectionism.
I hold myself accountable to that belief every day —
because doing everything with sincerity and intention is, I think, what truly defines both me and my brand.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people outside of my clients tend to describe me as a bit particular —
some say I’m sensitive, others say I can be quite meticulous.
Honestly, they’re not entirely wrong.
When I’m handling many things at once or deeply focused,
I can definitely come across that way.

But the truth is, I’m introverted and a little shy by nature.
I’m not someone who talks just to fill the silence or tries to lead a room.
I simply don’t want to bother anyone —
and at the same time, I don’t want to be bothered either.
That quiet balance is where I feel most at peace. Haha.

The funny thing is, all of that changes once I start working.
Inside the salon, conversations flow naturally —
I ask about my clients’ day, share a few jokes,
and we often end up laughing together.
Maybe it’s because that moment of connection
is one of the things I enjoy most about my work.

Deep down, I’m the type who thinks a lot, acts carefully,
and tends to say, “It’s okay, I’ll just let it go,” even when something feels unfair.
It’s not about giving up —
it’s just that I’d rather choose peace over conflict.
So while I might look sharp or intense on the surface,
that’s not all there is to me —
there’s softness, empathy, and a quiet strength that coexist beneath it.

I also have this instinct for reading people’s energy.
When someone comes in gentle, I naturally soften.
When someone comes in strong, I meet that energy with quiet confidence.
It’s not calculation — it’s intuition.
Some might call it emotional intelligence,
but I like to call it “survival with a bit of style.”

So even if I appear calm on the outside,
there’s always more beneath the surface —
a mix of humor, awareness, and a quiet fire that keeps things interesting.
Maybe that’s why people often say,
“Jason seems calm, but there’s always something intriguing about him.”
And honestly, I take that as one of the best compliments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ja2onoppahair.glossgenius.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ja2on_oppahair/?hl=en
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/ja2on-oppahair-huntington-beach