Meet Robin Ha

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

Robin, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I’m resilient because I don’t really have a choice. As a freelance artist, being resilient is essential for survival. Success early on is rare, and most freelance comic artists I know have spent years working in obscurity, juggling two or three jobs just to make ends meet before getting their big break. Even those who are considered “successful” still face rejection on a regular basis.

Creating graphic novels takes time—months, sometimes years. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You can be incredibly talented with amazing ideas, but if you don’t have the stamina to handle rejection and keep going in the face of failure, the comic industry will be tough to crack. Rejection is just part of the freelance artist experience.

Comics have been my passion since I was a kid, and I was lucky enough to have a parent who supported me and sent me to art school. But even with that support, I didn’t have the confidence to dive into the comic industry right after graduating. I spent several years working corporate jobs as a textile designer and fashion illustrator. Every day, I tried to push through the boredom and dissatisfaction of jobs that didn’t ignite my passion. But it became clear that I’d never be truly happy unless I followed my dream and told my stories through comics.

So, I took a leap of faith, quit my corporate job, and started freelancing in comics. I was lucky to have a close-knit community of friends and mentors who were also working in creative fields. It took about four years of freelancing before I landed an agent. The first graphic novel we pitched got rejected by every publisher. There were countless moments when I thought about giving up and changing careers. But then I reminded myself of how miserable I was in those corporate jobs, and with the support of my fellow artists and my agent, I pushed through. Eventually, my first book became a New York Times Bestseller. I’ll always be grateful to my artistic community for their mentorship and encouragement. I truly wouldn’t be here without them.

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?

Robin Ha (she/her) is the award-winning author/illustrator of the graphic novel memoir Almost American Girl. At fourteen she moved to the United States from Seoul, Korea. Her comics and illustrations have appeared in various publications, including the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, as well as in anthologies highlighting Asian American culture, including Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now, New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei, and Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology (Secret Identities). She is also the author of the best-selling comic recipe book Cook Korean!: A Comic Book With Recipes. Her new graphic novel, The Fox Maidens is published by Balzer and Bray in February 2024. Robin is currently working on a graphic novel cookbook, Souped-up Ramyeon and Beyond, scheduled to be published in 2026 by Harvest.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The most important quality that has shaped my career is knowing what I enjoy and don’t enjoy in art, and trusting my own taste and instincts instead of trying to follow trends or mimic popular comics. I’ve always made comics that I want to read myself. My books were created first and foremost for me, and then for the audience. I believe that as an artist, there’s no point unless you’re creating something that genuinely moves you. Trends in genres and art styles are constantly changing, and you can’t predict what will be popular next. So, focus on what you enjoy creating, rather than stressing over what others might like to read.

Another key quality is being communicative and respectful with everyone you meet. Simply not being an a**hole is vital if you want a long-lasting career. The comics industry is small, and you never know who you might end up working with in the future. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated. If you’re unsure of something or need help, it’s always better to ask and be open about it than to pretend you have all the answers.

The final quality I believe is essential is managing your schedule effectively and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This is something I’m still working on and trying to improve. Protecting yourself from burnout and physical injury is crucial for a long and successful career. I’ve learned to take regular breaks during the day, exercise, and make time for social activities and relaxation, even when work gets busy. Having experienced burnout and physical injuries from overworking in the past, I’m actively trying to make healthier changes.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

When I was old enough to read, my mom introduced me to comics. While we were living in Korea, she took me to Manhwabang, a comics rental shop, and shared with me the comics she enjoyed. She always encouraged me to explore all kinds of books and comics. Unlike many Korean parents who often discourage their children from reading comics, believing they aren’t “real books,” my mom never did that. After school, I spent countless hours in Manhwabang, immersing myself in the stories. Some of the comics I read as a child remain my all-time favorites and have undoubtedly influenced the comics I create today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://robinha81.wixsite.com/robinha
• Instagram: @RobinHaArt