My Early Life in Korea

I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. I was a tomboy who was always happy and adventurous. I always explored with two older brothers who were smart and wise. I was always the leader and often the class president among my peers. I was fun, loving, and ambitious.

 

One spring day, when I was 15-years old, something strange happened. I sat in the music class watching the world-famous Korean-American violinist Sarah Chang's story on TV. She was the same as I was, but she was so successful already. Still not sure what it was, but I had tears in my eyes and thought, I need to go to America. 'This country is so small, and I need to go to the bigger land where people recognize my talents and potential,' I thought. I asked my parents for days and nights to send me to America to study there. They thought I was too young and it was too dangerous to send me abroad myself, but they ended up agreeing with me.

 

Yes, America!

A few days before I turned to 16-years old, I came to America by myself. Boy, how excited I was! I was so thankful and happy. I didn't speak any English, but I studied hard. I didn't have much money, but I survived. I often ate cup noodles with the expired snacks from my friend who ran a deli. I got permission from the school principal and made some money by drawing the portraits or the family picture. I also did a mural painting at the school cafeteria and got paid. I was poor but never felt like I was lacking. I was grateful for the opportunities. 

 

Viva Las Vegas

Finally, I graduated high school, and my hard works were about to get paid. I got accepted to the Maryland Institute of the Arts with an Illustration major with scholarships. Before entering college, I visited my parents in Las Vegas. They came from Korea and planned to take the Sabbatical year there as a pastor. But after a month of staying in Vegas, my father sincerely asked me if I could stay there with them and help his ministry. I was still an ambitious girl who wanted to succeed quickly, but I prayed about it and decided to stay there with them. 

 

I helped their ministry, served as a Sunday School Director, and became a student at the local community college, majoring in Graphic Designs. Nothing I planned nor imagined, but I found joy. I never lost my dream. 

 

Got the First Official Job

While looking for a job to pay my tuition, a small job posting in a local newspaper caught my eye: Artist Wanted. Soon I got into a phone interview and got a job at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino as an Airbrush Caricature Artist. I was the first female, youngest, and Asian artist hired there. I never did the caricature before, but soon I became the most loved artist. I made the #1 sales and tips. I enjoyed drawing/painting people, offered enjoyable memories, and made good money. I made much more money than my tuition; I could even help my parents financially.

 

Time flew so quickly -- I was living in Vegas for almost four years. I never gave up on my dream and I knew I had to leave Vegas, but didn't know how after so long. Now I wanted to go to New York and had a vision of becoming a designer, but it seemed extremely expensive. I was praying for the right timing.

 

Time to Leave Vegas

One cold winter day in 2004, I heard a very familiar language where I work, which was the indoor observation deck on the 108th story. It was my mother tongue language, Korean. It wasn't usual to see Koreans there, so I was delighted and greeted them with joy. I got into a joyful conversation with them and learned that they were there for the medical conference. One of them was the CEO, and he was asking me if I knew any church around there. I told him I could pick him up tomorrow and take him to the church where my father was serving. He was thrilled to hear the offer. The next day, I took him and a few more people to my church. I couldn't see them afterward, as I served the children's ministry. I heard they were happy and went back safe. 

 

Here I Come, New York!

The following week, my parents received a phone call from Korea. It was the CEO and his wife. They asked my parents if they could send me the scholarship to go to New York and study there. We prayed about it for a few days and said yes, finally. They soon wired the cash, no questions asked. It was the amount of money that would cover two years of tuition. Shortly, I applied to the Parsons School of Design for the Design & Technology major and got accepted.

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...to be continued