We recently connected with Isaiah Kim and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Isaiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I would say that one of the most undervalued yet essential skills in any creative pursuit is adaptability and resilience. For me, as a creative, my art was never an embodiment of my identity, but rather a reflection of the ever changing life experiences that I have had to endure and live through. Inspiration is something that seems to come to me daily, constantly finding myself bombarded with crazy ideas throughout my day to day living, but most of the time I find myself paralyzed and incapable of acting upon that inspiration due to the constant pressure of fear, inadequacy and severe burnout. Which is why adaptability is crucial for any artist, because no matter what, you will never be fully prepared for anything. We must learn to work with within our limitations, acknowledge our weaknesses, and expand yourself to new horizons as you navigate the constant challenges of failure and comparison. Resilience and adaptability aren’t skills we’re taught; they’re honed through hardship, suffering, and failure.
I didn’t start my journey in filmmaking and directing till the Pandemic back in 2020. Leading up to this point, I had aspirations of becoming a renowned dancer, performer, and choreographer – with sole passion to travel the world and be able to open my horizons to new experiences. I had trained professionally for this dream for more than 6+ years, with sole mindset that as long as I worked hard and stayed ‘resilient’, all my dreams would eventually pan out. But once the pandemic hit, all of my dreams and aspirations flushed quickly down the drain, as I was faced with the realities of my own limitations and the fact that no matter what I did to maintain that dream, I was not enough. This personally sent me down an emotional and artistic spiral, which questioned every facet of my own personal existence. However, looking back on these moments, I realized that my focus and mindset was greatly outdated and seemed to hold me back from what other opportunities and skills I was truly capable of. So in response to these dark moments, I learned to adapt and overcome, working tireless hours delivering ubereats and instacart orders, to save up enough money to afford basic equipment so that I would have the chance to learn and teach myself the craft of filmmaking and editing. Soon after this I moved out to Los Angeles for university, and sole focus to continue creating art and finding new mediums in which I could express myself beyond just dance.
Today, after two years in the industry, I’ve cultivated invaluable connections with fellow creatives who inspire and challenge me to pursue work that resonates with my soul. My journey has been a testament to the power of adaptability and resilience—to pivot, to evolve, and to continue creating despite the odds.
Isaiah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Isaiah Kim, and I am just your average 24 year-old starving artist who is navigating through the both the beauty and chaos of life within the sunny city of Los Angeles. My focus right now is working as a professional Director, VFX Editor, and photographer for commercials and music videos. I am currently building a video commercial studio titled “Noir&Noise” while also working as full-time professional photographer for Creative Artist Agency, where I have had the honor of working with Hollywoods most esteemed talent and clients.
Over the few years of working and living in Los Angeles, I have had the amazing opportunity to work on a wide variety or projects ranging from alcohol commercials for brands like (Casa Mexico), working on music videos for various artists and labels like (Warner Music Group), as well as having my photography being published in publications such as (Hollywood Bazzar).
I originally had my start within the industry through TV commercials and music videos for various brands and clients, working as a Photographer and VFX editor for most of these productions. But after around 2+ years I have slowly been making a transition into the agency space, where I see a lot of opportunity to expand my relationships while also learning to adapt my overall working style and expectations to more efficiently work within the parameters of industry standards. Overall, it has definitely been quite the learning curve, where I have found myself feeling like a tiny fish within the great expanse of chaotic ocean. However, in meeting more people and talking with various professionals I’ve come to realize that that feeling will never truly go away.
Approaching each opportunity as a chance to learn and grow, I’ve come to understand that achieving my goals requires sacrifice and strategic decision-making. Not everyone will comprehend the challenges we face, and many won’t even care. That’s why it’s vital to remain self-aware and compassionate towards ourselves as we navigate the hurdles of this demanding industry.
While the path ahead may be daunting, I’m committed to staying true to my vision and aspirations, adapting to whatever circumstances come my way. For in the pursuit of our dreams, it’s the resilience and tenacity that define our journey and shape our success.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Right now I still view myself as a hungry student still feeling as though I don’t know much of anything. But all I do know is that the biggest thing that has gotten me through some really difficult times are the relationships I have been able to build and grow throughout this process, and my excitement for the future relationships and communities that I have not yet reached.
My current venture and passion is to one day be able to provide a physical sanctuary—a studio space where creativity knows no bounds. Here, I envision not only a haven for my own artistic endeavors but a collaborative hub, where like-minded creatives can converge and breathe life into their shared vision. As an artist and dancer, I’ve come to understand the profound symbiosis between the art and the space that cradles it. The environment in which we create intricately weaves itself into the fabric of our work, shaping its essence and evoking its soul-stirring power.
Having started from ground zero, it took me so long to work for the resources and equipment that I have today – constantly reminding myself that it is not the equipment or resources that defines amazing work, but rather the restrictive parameters that and creative vision that will allow for your work to stand out. Currently, my venture, Noir&Noise, has thrived in its agile and adaptable model, where mobility is crucial to work with certain clients and artists. However, I have always had aspirations to one day be able to provide a permanent space—a sanctuary where imagination can flourish, and collaborations can bloom. Though my humble apartment and bedroom have served as makeshift studios for various projects; they’ve inevitably reached their limits. Which is why for my next pursuit, my goal is to one day be able to provide a space for myself, my friends, and the growing artist community. In which people can explore their passions and continue to be inspired by the work that they are building.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve learned that true growth often occurs in the quiet moments of self-reflection, far from the spotlight of external validation. While recognition is gratifying, it’s the unseen effort—the blood, sweat, and tears—that shapes our path to success. As a creative, solitude can be isolating, revealing our vulnerabilities and flaws. Yet, within this solitude lies an opportunity for profound self-discovery and empathy.
Navigating today’s digital age, where hustle-culture and constant comparisons abound, presents unique challenges. Many artists pour their life into their craft, only to see their work drowned out by fleeting trends or social media noise. Our interpretation for success has become so skewed and isolating that it is no longer about the work that is being produced or the relationships you are working to build. Everything today just seems to serve the purpose of immediate gratification, virtue signalling, or competitive comparison.
Which is why, for me, I am most thankful for the experiences in which my art forced me to face the realities of my own limitations, causing me to foster a sense of understanding and empathy towards myself in providing a clear progressive journey of how far I’ve been able to come. My art is not merely a reflection of who I am, but a testament to the journey I’ve traveled and the lessons I’ve absorbed along the way. Whether my work is met with praise or criticism, I embrace it as part of my growth as both an individual and an artist.
One of the best takeaways and career advice that I have ever received from anyone is that: “In order to understand and love the world around you, you must first learn to understand and love yourself.” As artists, our obligations require the most profound kind of love – a willingness to sacrifice and share our experiences for the betterment of others. When we learn to embrace the journey of learning and growth, the opinions of others fade into insignificance. What matters most is that our work serves its purpose, enriching both ourselves and the audience it was meant for.This was something that I wished I had heard sooner, because there were so many nights where I would be paralyzed with fear, anger, or self-depreciation – feeling as though I have not done enough with myself and I will never be able to achieve the goals that I have put in place for myself.
So, to those grappling with self-doubt and fear, I offer this: learn to forgive and love yourself and embrace the journey of self-discovery and creative growth. Don’t be afraid to fail or put yourself in places that may feel uncertain or uncomfortable, because at the end of the day – it is your creative journey that you are fighting for.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimycon/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimycon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvhRwUtUaWbgp2zeIY5cdQQ