Today we’d like to introduce you to Eunji Lim

Hi Eunji, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

My name is Eunji, acting, teaching, and loving arts. I was a child who always dreamed big, that I still do, was a passionate and beloved first kid in our family. Whenever I visited my grandfather and grandmother, I always sang a song and told some stories in front of the whole family. I auditioned to be a singer in different agencies and realized I need to decide my future specifically. I was thinking, I could sing and I love acting, then what if I become an actor working in musicals or films? (Eureka) I studied acting in my undergraduate and it nourished me to grow. After the graduation, I taught students acting in different acting academies. I learned that I love teaching too and I think, through teaching, I also enlightened myself what acting really is. My dream became more vivid, “Being an international actor and artist who also educates people who dream through what I love.” Then, I moved to NYC for my Acting MFA program at the Actors Studio Drama School, where I broadened my perspective and spectrum for the craft as an artist. I could see myself with confidence & faith and allow to go further. After making a NYC Theatre debut as one of the lead through ‘Doña Mañana’ at Off-Broadway and historical stages; New York Theatre Workshop and The Riverside Theater, I had grateful opportunities to introduce myself as an actor and versatile artist, such as NYTimes featured ’Dimes Square’, ‘Specially Processed American Me’, ‘Wild Goose Dreams’ in Boston, and ‘The Legend of the Waitress and the Robber’ produced by Korean Cultural Center New York. Recently, I created my first film, ‘GO-AROUND’ as an actor, writer and director. I am thankful to my team. And I have been part of the productions in Seoul, such as ‘The Reunification of the Two Koreas,’ and ‘Eldest Daughters,’ which won and nominated as Best Theatre Production of this year in several awards. I have been having grateful time to broadening my artistic spectrum globally. And I dream to fly further across the universe.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I WISH! But I do think, sometimes growth always partners with pain, struggles and challenges. *Come, the angel of the optimistic.* When I first moved to NYC, I had to get used to all kinds of different things. I was born and raised in Korea, and never lived by myself before. Everything was new. Language, culture, relationship, work opportunities, living, and getting used to be an alien. I love talking and having good conversations with people. But because of the language I was getting used to, I found myself frustrated and unconfident to say something or speak up about things I wanted to share. And it added the feeling of loneliness from the gap of communication. But well, I am kind of the person who have to overcome about conflicts standing in front of me. I studied extra, tried to communicate with friends, shared my honest feelings, and through this time, I found my best friends who always support me, be patient with me, try to listen and understand me. And actually, being more fluent and communicative was something which would be solved by the time. As time went by, I realized I am still enough and maybe once in awhile, I was the one who’s judging and making myself more get into the cave. I also realized how much I grew — especially through the time of listening to others and trying to survive from the different world, I learned the quality of patience, open-minded, and was gifted new lenses to look at the world with widened perspective.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I love being on stage, not only because of being seen but because of being seen with reasons and specificities to tell and share. I love writing; I write about myself, the train of consciousness, and stories about people who walk through time as we do, by which we can empathize and be consoled. And I love teaching. When it comes to teaching, I love to observe people grow and progress themselves by refining from the unknown to the known. As an actor, I’ve been making my foundation in Theatre and Film internationally. From learning the attitude towards acting in undergrad ~ to, in my MFA program, acknowledging of myself; being free, my body as an instrument, and allowing myself to be me, I have been taught great lessons about how to approach and develop my craft.
Last year I visited Edinburgh for the production ‘The Maids’, which brought me ‘Best Performance’ from Asian Arts Awards in Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and it was such an honorable time as an artist. From New York, Edinburgh to Seoul, I want to broaden the area as an artist limitlessly.
This year, I founded the company, DREAMA, meaning Dream + Drama, for producing performing arts or films, educating through workshops, and art interchange through language; translation and interpretation.
I pursue to be an artist who tells the story, standing in facing with the world, about what’s been told in the era. Through making art, I want it to be a kind influential vessel to the world and to let people dream again with their shining lights.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?

Playing with my friends at a neighborhood playground until my mom calls out to come to have a dinner. When sun goes down, me and my friends were sweaty and wore dirts from sands, but we were having the most fun day of our life.
Having my fourth auntie make a prettiest ponytail for me. She was the best hair dresser to me, and I always loved her touch and do my hair looking pretty. I felt fancy.
Wearing my youngest auntie’s perfume, Kenzo, Pour Femme, when she was not around. Recently I went to a beauty store, and they were selling this perfume. As soon as I smelled it, it brought me back to my teenager moment, making my heart nostalgic.
Singing in front of tons of people and getting the biggest applause. I always loved singing and was confidence of singing and my voice. I miss the time when I was not scared of anything and trusted myself over 100%, without a doubt.
Being a stylist of my sister, when she was four years old. When my parents were out, me and my sister always played with my clothes, and I styled my sister with my fancy Sailor Moon dress layered with white cotton vest, and hair tie on her head. And I took a photo with disposable camera, which I still have. I love my sister, she is the best.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eunjilim.com
• Instagram: @dreamaco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eunjixlim
• Other: https://linktr.ee/eunjilim

Image Credits

Hyeri Seo, Filip Wolak, Emmanuel Abreu, Nile Scott, Matt Weinberger