이모 🌺 My mom and I hit a tough spot and needed a place to live—fast. I remember it vividly: we were at the family’s beauty shop, my mom crying over a client, begging her older sister, Tammy 이모, to let us stay at her vacant condo. This condo had been Tammy 이모’s first property in America—she’d hosted Bible studies there, family had lived there, and my mom had stayed there twice before.
For me, finally having a home for six years straight was new. We struggled, and I ended up paying just the utilities. Tammy 이모 took the brunt of it, letting us live there basically for free.
With my mom gone a lot, it was the first time I felt unsupervised—and I rebelled. I smoked inside the condo, threw parties that got the cops called, and the HOA even fined my 이모 $500 after someone fired guns in the air. I was embarrassed, but also exhausted from constantly seeking my mom’s attention. The condo is trashed at this point and my mom sure didn’t care at the time. It wasn’t until almost getting arrested multiple times and having psychedelic epiphanies that things started to calm down.
What impresses me most about my aunt is how she stayed so calm with my mom and I. She brought me Popeyes every Tuesday knowing my mom wasn’t home, took me to countless core memory experiences as a child, pushed me to take lessons and join clubs that still benefit me today, and provided shelter, transportation, and funds during school. And she even gave me my all-time favorite cousin, Joseph (@joseph_poseph ). Truly my brother from day one.
I was scared to face Tammy 이모 after I moved to Denver for college. But it’s so sweet to hear her believe the truth of I wasn’t being a bad girl, I was just going through a hard time. Honestly, I wouldn’t be here without her. ❤️
#asianamerican #koreanamerican #asianamericanstories #asianstories #korean #korea #aapi #aapiwomenlead #aapicommunity #asianamericanwomen #asianwomen #koreanwomen #immigrant #immigrantstories
The majority of Asian Americans struggle to connect with their immigrant parents because of language barriers and cultural differences. Especially for those of us who don’t speak fluently in our native language. I found smoking with my mom has softened her enough to open up about her feelings with me for the very first time.
I didn’t live with my mom full-time until I was in middle and high school because she wasn’t in the right mental space to care for me, but she still fought to get me back. For as long as I can remember, she battled decades of depression. Our relationship was rough, she was strict, I would rebel, and we couldn’t understand each other on so many different levels.
I moved to Denver from Colorado Springs in 2017 for college and the “city life”. I never went back to her since she wasn’t in a place to provide stability, emotionally or financially. But now… for the first time in years, I feel like I can go home to her and actually feel her strength…
Seeing my mom is back on her feet has made me emotional. I get to know her like never before as a best friend AND daughter now that I’m an adult. I’m here to remind her that she is strong, she is capable, and she’s not alone, even as I continue navigating my own trials and tribulations. I finally accept that my mother depends on me and I choose to embrace it.
*Repost because the audio was deleted from the original*
Also, thank you to my friends and family who have been helping me with my mom recently. I can’t express how much your support gives my mom and I strength as we weather the upcoming. Your love and prayers help me immensely and I am beyond grateful for you. Cheers.
#koreanamerican #asianamerican #asian #asianculture #koreanculture healing parenting parenthood adversity cultural culture conversations
Couldn’t help but post a little BTS because today was just too beautiful not to share. Shot all on iPhone, and I still have so much more footage to go through.
Today wrapped day three of Halle’s (@wavesbby___ ) passion project, FEAR / LESS. It’s been such a special experience getting to witness her vision come to life firsthand. Truly one of those projects that reminds you how powerful collaboration can be when a group of talented creatives come together and trust each other’s artistry.
Feeling really grateful I got to be a small part of the crew capturing moments behind the scenes throughout it all. Huge thank you to Halle for bringing us onto this project of yours. So lucky to have friends who continue to create cool things and invite me along for the process. Can’t wait to see the final film and everything else you continue to create 🤍
FEAR / LESS Production Crew (DAY 3):
Written & Directed by @wavesbby___
DP: @ivywildvisuals
Gaffer: @daniel.gchoi
HMUA: @ohwowkyle
BTS: @_paularay
Floral: @karakarablooms
Fashion Designer: @rachelmariehurstrmh
‘GETAWAY’
Film by: @ivywildvisuals
Starring: @jacksonmillr
Crew: @mr_winingham@_paularay
Drone: @_paularay
Shot and edited in 7 hours as part of a personal challenge to keep making things with other people who just want to make things and put it out there. Enjoy!
#shortfilm #cinematography #filmmaking #dop #sonycine
Reminiscing on my days at The Woods and The Moose before they closed down and The Source Hotel in general.
Being at The Source Hotel was never just about the work, it was about the people. The coworkers who became family, the familiar faces, the long shifts that somehow turned into core memories. Somewhere between running plates and capturing moments, I found some of my closest friends and pieces of myself I didn’t even know I was looking for.
Grateful for every late night, every laugh, every version of me that existed in those rooms. Some places don’t just pass through your life… they leave a mark.
Shot & edited by me :)
Here are some of my shots from the @sonyalpha Creative Space On The Road, Colorado, where my biggest muses are those behind the cam.
@sonyalpha@sonyalphafemale
i’ve felt the weight of who i am
and the woman i know i can become
multiple faces and phases, one body
but only one of them is real
and she’s been watching me hesitate
i’ve been standing at the edge of her life
close enough to taste it
close enough to know it’s mine
and still… i paused
not because i can’t have it
but because stepping into it means there’s no going back
so now i’m asking myself
is this balance
or am i just calling my fear something softer
so i can stay here a little longer
_________
Shot & edited by me :)
1 setup night til 3am + 5 sets x the community energy = an amazing in person experience for creatives in denver at @cocoeventgroup Pajama Jam Creator Meetup!
Thanks to everyone that was apart of bringing this meetup to life and shout out to all the amazing creatives who showed up and are contributing to the movement.
🎥: @keesedoesshit
EARLY BIRD TIX SOLD OUT FAST, BUT WE STILL HAVE GA!
Pull up cozy, bring your ideas, and tap into a different kind of energy where creativity flows easier and the pressure stays at the door.
📅 March 28, 2026
⏰ 3PM–6PM
📍 Department of Creative Pursuits | 2150 Market Street Denver, CO 80205
🎟️ Tickets in bio, if course :)
Hosted by: @cocoeventgroup x @departmentdenver
We’ve got something special this time…
We’re partnering with @frankinstax ! A creative film photography project that fuses vintage medium format cameras with instant Fujifilm Instax film. No edits, no retakes! Just raw, tangible moments you can hold minutes after they’re captured.
They’ll be shooting at one of the sets the event, so you will leave with something real. 🌙
And when the meetup winds down… we’re not done yet.
We’re heading to the rooftop for the after party at Rook Rooftop (@rook_denver ) inside Catbird Hotel (@catbirddenver ) 🌙 7:30PM!!
Same people, elevated vibes, city views.
DP: @dittlo_
Director: @dittlo_@keesedoesshit
Talent: @_paularay
Penmanship: @itsleighsworld ♥️
