Meet Ajah Yi | Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ajah Yi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ajah, why did you pursue a creative career?

I’ve always enjoyed art in all its forms. I believe this has a lot to do with the films of Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata. When I was 8 years old, I saw Pom Poko and Kiki’s Delivery Service, which opened the door to anime for me. I was hooked. I wanted to learn to draw because I thought I wanted to become an animator. I began to research the inspiration for their films, the art styles, and artists of the many shows I watched, this led to me also discovering more traditional art as well, so I studied them a lot growing up and still do. I loved the way they told their stories and how they were able to take an idea from their mind and make it a reality.

Between discovering that people drew and made art for a living, I picked up other hobbies, such as playing many instruments, learning about manga, and paying closer attention in art class. I learned about all the different ways art can be created, and about the artists themselves. It isn’t just about being able to draw and color a pretty picture. I learned about the many different media and started to experiment with them on my own.

It’s funny, but originally I wanted to go into politics. My intended major was International Relations and Politics. I wanted to make a difference in the world and in people’s lives somehow. I made many attempts to make this happen, but I had to admit to myself that it wasn’t what made me happy.

I attended Parsons School of Design in New York City, originally as a Fashion Major. I quickly switched to Integrated Design. I didn’t like being tied to just one thing. After the change, the courses, and museum trips I was able to take for projects, collaborating with other artists from different majors, I realized what I wanted to do.

I wanted to be a curator, not just of art shows, but of art across all media. This includes print media, events, art shows, music, and so much more. I want to share art with others and allow them the opportunity to connect with creatives they otherwise wouldn’t. I feel like this is home. It’s what I was meant to do. Just as those who work in politics, or doctors make changes and help people, art is another way for me to make a difference in the world. It’s healing it many of its own ways and has so many things to offer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am the founder – Creative Director of Kulture Media. We have not “officially” had our hard launch yet which will be coming this summer. There are many parts to Kulture, me being the little neuro-spicy minx I like to think of myself as I wanted to create something that could spearhead all my other passions as I cannot choose just one. This was after so much trial and error over the last few years that I finally decided to take the plunge and create Kulture Media. Kulture actually wasn’t my first attempt at creating a digital media platform, I started in 2015 but after my then-business partner choose to claim the idea for their own I took a big step back. I wouldn’t say it’s been easy at all, but it’s been worth it to keep pursuing my goals.

We are inspired by Korean culture, primarily Korean dramas and pop music that’s what got the ball rolling for us. I’ve listened to K-pop since I was in middle school not to date myself but I’m 31 now so a few decades now haha. I did not seriously, seriously jump into it until college, one thing to know about me when I take an interest in something I’m all consumed by it and that is what happened with K-pop. Korean Dramas on the other I specifically can recall my father dropping me to my Halmoni during the summer, she would turn on one of her many Korean dramas she had them on VHS mind you, make us a nice snack and we would spend our days together watching them.

My father came to the United States from Korea when he was 7 years old, and my mother is African American. I mention this because it’s important to the story of how Kulture Media came to be. 2020 was a rough year for everyone, but it was especially hard for African Americans and Asians. There was so much hate being thrown around, and it seeped into my safe space, which is K-pop. Being both African American and Korean, and seeing firsthand how my family and friends from both sides were struggling, really angered me. I spent a lot of time during the last few years analyzing why that was.

What I learned was that there was little to no knowledge or more of a “lack” of interest in the origins of K-pop that many of us know today. People didn’t know where the music came from or where the idols drew their inspiration from or really anything. There was also a lot of discourse between fans of different cultural backgrounds, they felt unheard, unseen, and disposed of. It broke my heart to see this happening, so I decided to do something about it.

I wanted to create a platform that would give people a better understanding of K-pop. I didn’t want to just showcase the idols and their accomplishments. I wanted to show the accomplishments of the fans as well. We will be curating art shows with art from fans, and we will be hosting events to celebrate not only our favorites but each other. Our magazine will be available in both print and digital.

There is a lot we have planned, and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Kulture Media is here not to only showcase our idols and their accomplishments. But most importantly to show our accomplishments among us, we will be curating art shows with art from fans, and events to celebrate not only our favorites but each other.

I want to continue to educate others on not just Black culture which plays an extremely large part in Korean entertainment, but Korean culture as well. Both cultures make up who I am, and I love that, I don’t consider myself the authority figure of either culture in the slightest, however, I do think I’m a great option for being able to educate others, having a toe dipped in each side. I want to share the beauty within the two cultures and bring more attention to how they are intertwined. With Kulture Media, we are able to do so in ways I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would for sure visit some amazing cafes around the city and maybe attempt to find lesser-known ones. Trips to art exhibits especially the interactive ones, I’ve always wanted to try the Alice in Wonderland experience so if their trip aligns she wouldn’t have a choice we’re going. outside of that, I think being as we’re both homebodies after some exploring it’s back home, to eat some great food, watch a good movie, possibly craft, or simply just joke around with each other and enjoy the company of a good friend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

If I had to give a shoutout I have to start with my mom, cliche I know. But my mother has helped and encouraged me in more ways than she will ever know, I can never begin to thank her for all that she has done and continues for me and my siblings. If it weren’t for her I would have never attempted to apply to a #1 school and be delusional enough to think I would get it, and to actually get in I owe that and so much more to her.

My business partner, best friend, and soulmate, Mya who keeps me on my toes, encourages me to keep going forward even when I want to just quit on myself. She’s always there for me to bounce ideas off, and catch a much need breath of fresh air with, she’s just there. One of if not the most important staples in my life that I wouldn’t be able to make it through anything without.

Brittany, Katlyn, and Lan they are some of the greatest individuals I have ever met without them I think the last few years would have been extremely bleak to put it simply and I appreciate you guys very very much thanks for being amazing friends!

Most importantly my son and I think it goes without saying he’s my biggest supporter whom I love most in this world. I know that everything I’m working towards I do with him in mind, I’m very intently making choices to break generational curses strictly for him and my future family.

Website: kulturemedia.io

Instagram: kulturemeida.io

Twitter: ohkulturemedia

Facebook: facebook.com/ohkulturemedia

Other: I can also be found on TikTok @namshae and @kulturemedia