We recently connected with Kristin Shim and have shared our conversation below.

Kristin, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Parents are people too—figuring out who they are while simultaneously raising children and teaching them how to become the best versions of themselves. They work hard to break certain cycles and avoid passing on negative habits and patterns. I don’t see my parents as perfect, but I do see them as role model figures I admire deeply. Through them, I’ve learned that love isn’t just about happy moments—it’s about hard work, patience, vulnerability, and being willing to let your guard down. Their relationship has shown me that love requires effort, and it’s not always easy.

My parents have always worked tirelessly in their careers to provide my sisters and me with as many opportunities as possible. They are both incredibly charismatic and family-oriented. My mom, in particular, made a major sacrifice when she immigrated from South Korea to the United States—she chose to focus on ensuring that my sisters and I would grow up speaking Korean fluently, even though she herself was still learning English.

Even though our extended family remains in South Korea, and the distance can be hard, my parents’ dedication has kept us connected. We communicate through messages and visits, strengthening those bonds. By raising us as proud Korean Americans, my parents gave me a deep appreciation for my heritage. Today, I’m incredibly proud of who I am and grateful for the platform I have to embrace and express my authentic self.

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.

To sum up who I am in a few words: I’m a Korean American woman in my mid-twenties who loves documenting my memories, embracing every opportunity that comes my way to discover more about myself, and living a creatively fulfilling life.

I grew up in Minnesota, where, as the only Asian in my class, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be proud of my heritage. I often found myself the punchline of jokes, sometimes making fun of myself with stereotypical humor just to prevent others from doing it. YouTube became my safe haven. In 2006, my dad introduced my sisters and me to the platform, explaining that people could upload any videos they wanted. I became fascinated with the idea, spending hours playing with my dad’s webcam, recording whatever I could, and uploading it to YouTube. It quickly became something I couldn’t stop doing.

In the summer of 2011, my family moved to Orange County, California, a new chapter that sparked a deeper journey of self-discovery. Surrounded by a more diverse culture, I began to embrace my Korean American identity. My YouTube journey also evolved—what started as videos about Webkinz plush toys shifted to fashion and beauty tutorials, and eventually, I started vlogging to document my life, friends, and family. My channels have become like visual diary entries, allowing me to reflect on my personal growth. Watching my old videos, I often find myself analyzing the little quirks, preferences, and experiences I had at the time, and comparing them to who I am now.

Content creation, health and wellness, and living in the moment are big passions of mine. Last year, I completed my 200-hour RYT certification in Vinyasa Yoga and my 60-hour RYT certification in Yin Yoga. Growing up as a dancer, I was devastated when I was diagnosed with scoliosis in my sophomore year of high school. Dance had been a huge passion, and I felt crushed when I had to ease up on it. That’s when I found yoga, and when the door of dance closed, another door, I had no idea about, opened for me. While my scoliosis isn’t fully healed, the pain has lessened, my mind is clearer, and my perspective on life is brighter because of yoga. Yoga has also introduced me to an amazing community, and I’m proud to be a Yoga Ambassador for lululemon at their Century City location. Teaching yoga on weekends and substituting whenever I can brings me so much joy.

In addition to my part-time role as a yoga teacher, I work full-time in the corporate world as a Creative Coordinator at FOX Entertainment. It’s been an incredible experience so far, being around creative people and learning how a large corporation strategizes and creates impactful advertisements for TV shows. Combining my passions for creativity and wellness is a dream I’m working toward.

I don’t have an off button. I’m always searching for something new to be passionate about or explore. Taking a gap year during COVID was one of the best decisions I’ve made—I dove into internships and content creation full force. Since then, I’ve gained professional experience through over 10 internships, worked as a retail associate at lululemon, served as a barista at a coffee shop, and even ran a half marathon in October. I’m constantly anticipating my next challenge. Every job and opportunity I’ve had has been a valuable learning experience, and I feel like I’m getting closer to the life I’ve always envisioned. I already feel incredibly privileged by the life I’m living.

I believe that the key to living a fulfilling life is to be grateful for every moment and show up as your authentic self. When you do, something or someone will resonate with your energy, and together, you’ll walk through life with genuine connection. Sometimes, doors in life close for reasons we don’t fully understand at the time. But looking back now, being a yoga teacher, working with one of my favorite brands as their ambassador, and building genuine connections in the yoga community—all while pursuing content creation and working full-time in entertainment—is a dream I never thought was possible.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As an extrovert, I’ve often been asked if I’m drunk or using drugs because of the energy I bring to social settings. I used to feel offended by these questions, especially since I’ve never done drugs and didn’t drink until I turned 21. Since then, I’ve only had a drink a handful of times and now choose not to drink at all. I’m happy to be my friends’ designated driver, ensuring they’re safe throughout the night and get home without a hitch. I prefer living a sober life, attending gatherings, and maintaining full control of my body.

I’ve remained resilient in the face of peer pressure, and now I take satisfaction in the moments when someone says goodbye at a dance party, only to be shocked when they realize I’ve been sober the whole time. I’m incredibly proud of my mental and physical energy, and I appreciate the challenges I’ve overcome that have helped me fully embrace who I am today.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’ve always had a passion for both being in front of the camera and working behind the scenes. When I was younger, I dreamed of becoming the next Oprah Winfrey—interviewing inspiring people and walking the red carpet for something I created. My main goal in my creative journey is to be a light, share my authentic self, and produce content that is creatively fulfilling. While I’m not sure exactly where this path will lead, I’m having a fun time and am proud of the growth I’ve experienced so far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@kristinshim
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristinshim
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinshim/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristinshim

Image Credits

https://www.instagram.com/goodeyety/