Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Chung. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Katherine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve embraced creativity, whether it’s through my music journalism, blogging about my experiences with disability and chronic illness, creating content for others, designing on Canva, or crafting fan art for concerts. I’ve explored different forms of art throughout my education, but I’ve never quite seen myself as a traditional artist. Instead, I think of myself as a crafty person. I love making friendship bracelets to give out at concerts, painting canvases, and browsing Michaels for new craft ideas. I learn best by doing, so arts and crafts are a perfect fit for me—they’re also incredibly therapeutic, helping me relieve stress.

In high school, I wanted to be an author since I loved English and writing. In college, I explored a lot of different clubs and majors, even attempting to major in psychology and minor in art. That didn’t work out, so I transferred and returned to what I truly love—writing and English. I didn’t have a clear career path in mind, but I knew I enjoyed the process of writing and the courses I took. I’ve always been someone who loves understanding people’s stories and minds.

That curiosity is what eventually led me to music journalism. I’ve always wanted to know the story behind a song or music video, and that’s what I focus on now as a music journalist and content creator. While I sometimes wonder about what it’s like to have a more conventional job—whether in retail, office work, or being a hostess—I know those roles don’t fuel my passion. They’re helpful for paying the bills, but they don’t give me the opportunity to contribute creatively or work on the types of projects that excite me.

I’m only a few years out of college, so I know I have time to find my way. What I do know is that I want to be part of the music and entertainment industry. I love the behind-the-scenes work in films and music videos, and I envision myself in that space one day. I’d love to work in PR for a music agency, radio, or on fan engagement projects. Writing about music will always be part of my life, but I also recognize the need to find a stable creative career path soon.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a music journalist, I specialize in reviewing music, interviewing artists, covering concerts, and writing about diversity in music, with a focus on LGBTQIA+ and Disability communities. My work primarily revolves around Indie, Pop, Pop Punk, Rock, and LGBTQ+ music. While I’ve tried freelancing, I found my passion lies in contributing to other publications and occasionally writing on my own blog.

I’ve always been a fangirl, growing up obsessed with Disney Channel, boybands, singer-songwriters, and attending concerts. It never occurred to me that this passion could turn into a career until I joined an online community called Fan To Band, which connects aspiring music industry professionals. Through them, I applied for unpaid opportunities that aligned with my dreams. My first big break was working with Tom Higgenson, the frontman of the Plain White T’s, on a new music project. In that role, I handled content creation, fan engagement research, and helped draft press releases. It was an eye-opening experience, and I knew immediately that this was the path I wanted to follow.

A year later, I joined the 1520 Vision mentorship program for aspiring music industry creatives, choosing music journalism as my focus. I was paired with the editor of an online music publication, where I gained invaluable insight into the field. During the mentorship, I had the opportunity to write about one of the coolest bands I’d ever encountered.

My first concert review was of The Aces’ October 2023 show at 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. Now, nearly a year later, I had the privilege of seeing them again at The Anthem, this time not just as a fan, but as a journalist.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Books: On Writing: A Memoir On the Craft By Stephen King, The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford, High School by Teagan and Sarah, and What You Do To Me By Rochelle B Weinstein

Reading writing pieces from Brittany Spanos, Kristin Robinson, and Xian Horn

Websites: Rolling Stones, NME, Ninety Eight LA

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Give them paid opportunities and accessible ones that don’t have to be in big populated cities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katchung13.wixsite.com/katherine-chung
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitless_music_fans/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.chung.547
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katlchung/
• Twitter: https://x.com/katchung_writes