Meet Ryona Song

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryona Song a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryona, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

This question has provided me with an opportunity to carefully observe myself while searching for my own answers. The more I learn about the impressions that those around me have of me, the more I feel a gap between my self-image and how others perceive me.
On the other hand, I have realized that the impressions I give to those around me serve as a source of energy that fosters my growth and keeps me challenged.
I have always been skilled with my hands and adept at creating new things. Additionally, due to my high adaptability, I have been able to maintain a motivation to enjoy new environments, which has made me appear positive and confident to those around me.

It is probably true, but on the other hand, because I know the weaknesses that exist within myself, I sometimes feel a sense of discomfort with the image that others have of me. At the same time, I also feel grateful for the positive impression they have of me. And before I knew it, it transformed into the expectations of those around me, and I found myself wanting to meet those expectations, holding onto the feeling that I did not want to disappoint the people who support me. This was never a heavy burden like a battle against pressure; rather, I knew that seeing the joy of my loved ones through what I wanted to do was, above all, my own happiness. Therefore, I desperately wanted to avoid losing that perfect cycle of happiness by stopping my efforts, and I did not cease my creation.

I consider myself to be somewhat of a fickle person, as I constantly find myself interested in various things and overflowing with ideas, to the point where I abandon what I was previously working on and immediately want to start something new. Because of this, I have lived in a state where my “likes = abilities = desires” are always in a kind of traffic jam. When I was younger, this was fine, but as I grew up and entered society, I found it necessary to clearly and simply convey who I am to others, which forced me to define my title.

Perhaps by deciding my own title, I was able to organize what I should be doing. Currently, I am primarily active as a 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 jewelry designer. As indicated by the word “primarily,” my creations are not limited to jewelry; they also include flower arrangements, spatial design, and even cooking, all of which continue to coexist within my lifestyle even after I have defined my title.

I strongly believe that if women are happy, the world will be peaceful. This is something that can be said beyond gender, but I express it mainly as a woman to expand simple imagination. Whenever I sell my products 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 , I imagine the small future just a little ahead for the customers who happily purchase the jewelry I have created.

For example, on an ordinary day without any special events, a lady might happen to encounter her favorite piece of jewelry at 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 . When she tries it on in front of a mirror, she feels delighted by the aura that changes when she wears the jewelry, even though she hasn’t dressed up much or worn makeup.
She might apply a light coat of red lipstick and step back to see herself in the mirror, where she appears to shine like a completely different person.

On her way home, she carries a small jewelry bag with joy. Her heart feels light, and she is motivated to go grocery shopping for dinner.
She thinks about making a favorite dish for her family and heads home, putting on her new jewelry in the kitchen, which makes cooking enjoyable.

When her family returns home and sees their favorite dishes on the table, they are delighted, and the atmosphere is calm and filled with cheerful conversation, with a smiling wife (or mother) at the table. Seeing her family enjoy the meal brings her joy, confirming that her efforts were worthwhile.

This is the shape of the happiness loop that I want to deliver through my creations.
It is not a difficult future; it is a very ordinary. However, I believe that this loop of happiness is what leads to a peaceful world, expanding one person at a time. Here, I spoke about my creations in 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 jewelry, but in reality, there is no need to be limited to jewelry; what brings me the greatest joy is being able to create something that can be a catalyst for someone’s happiness, regardless of the event.

Returning to the main topic, when asked where do I get my resilience from, I sincerely appreciate being able to witness the loop of happiness that expands from the things I love, through many customers and the people who support me. I know that beyond bringing joy to others through my creations, I am receiving happiness more than anyone else. I will never forget that gratitude, and I believe that in order to lead my loved ones to happiness, it is essential for me to first fully appreciate and receive the happiness that has been given to me.

This is precisely the ideal, unbroken loop of happiness that I have envisioned. As long as I can feel this cycle, no matter how difficult the challenges I encounter may seem, I can continue to look forward, and I believe that this is what connects to my resilience.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

18years ago, while studying abroad in London, I launched my own brand 〈 R Y O N A 〉 . Later, the brand name changed to the full name 〈 R Y O NA S O N G〉. It all started from a rather unexpected event. Born in Japan as a third-generation Korean resident and raised in Tokyo, I have always felt the importance of having my own identity. As a way to express myself, I naturally gravitated towards the world of design, having loved creating things since I was young.

While majoring in spatial design, I developed an interest in European architecture and interiors, which led me to study in London. While enjoying making my own accessories and upcycling vintage clothing as for wearing myself, I was frequently asked by passersby where I had bought my items. At that time, the owner of the hair salon where I was working part-time offered me a small corner of a shelf to display a little pop-card with 〈 R Y O N A 〉 and three bracelets, which marked the very beginning of my brand.

After returning to Japan, I officially launched my collection. I then expanded my sales channels, and now my brand is primarily featured in department stores and select shops across the country. I also established an 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 atelier shop in Tokyo, where I create custom pieces and host various events that spread small joys in everyday life.

The feelings I want to convey through my brand have not changed, both now and in the past. I have always found the greatest joy in being a catalyst for someone’s small happiness. Among those moments, being chosen as a special part of someone’s life through my creations 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 brings me particular happiness.
Recently, I have been increasingly involved in bridal work, where I not only provide accessories but also offer advice on hair, as well as space decoration and styling to match the total balance.

Being able to collaborate and create the most confident and shining moments for someone with their unique accessories is incredibly fulfilling for me. Additionally, being able to create pieces that will continue to accompany them throughout their lives after the wedding is one of my greatest joys.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I believe my qualities lie in my fearless mental strength, my ability to find happiness in everyday life, and my high adaptability.
I think my skills involve quickly identifying what people seek and providing them with a special sense of happiness.
My knowledge encompasses a sense of total balance and various skills in craftsmanship. I believe that all of these contribute not only through the act of creation but also through the spaces and the flow of time within them, healing people and providing them with energy.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am currently based in Tokyo and engaged in 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 creative activities. I am grateful to live in an era where, thanks to the remarkable advancement of technology, I can connect with fascinating people from all over the world.

I hope to deliver a loop of happiness to women around the globe, along with my thoughts and feelings. Therefore, I am very much looking forward to connecting with those who resonate with my 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 jewelry, products, and ideas.

First of all, I would be delighted to connect with shop owners who would like to carry my works, space owners who can host order events with 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 , as well as members of wedding shops and photography crews. Additionally, I warmly welcome contact from individual customers as well.

If you are interested, please check the 〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉 homepage 〈www.ryona.jp〉 and also feel free to reach out via email.
I am grateful for wonderful connections. Thank you very much.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ryona.jp
• Instagram: @ryonasong_jewel
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ryona_official

Image Credits

〈 R Y O N A S O N G 〉Jewel