Meet Hak Sung Kim

We were lucky to catch up with Hak Sung Kim recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hak Sung, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

That’s a great question, and I want to answer it in a way that might encourage those who struggle to be optimistic.

I consider myself a very optimistic person, but I’ve often asked myself why. The conclusion I’ve reached is simple: nothing in my life has ever come easily. My journey has been far from smooth—achievements and even basic needs have always required more effort for me than for others.

If I were to weigh my life’s balance sheet between good and bad experiences, the bad would easily take up more than 80%. Many close friends used to tell me things like, “Nothing ever comes easy for you,” or even, “You’re just unlucky.” And in those moments of pain, it truly felt impossible to keep going.

But here’s the paradox: my optimism was actually born out of those very hardships. When life knocked me down to rock bottom, I realized I had nothing left to lose. Without even trying to be optimistic, I started again—not with a grand plan or ambition, but simply out of survival instinct. Slowly, cautiously, step by step, I noticed progress. Genuine progress.

For example, I remember when I didn’t even have a dining table or a sofa. One day I managed to get one. Later, I could finally pay rent on time every month. These small milestones, things many people take for granted, felt to me like miracles. They filled me with gratitude.

Eventually, I learned to thank God (I’m Christian) not only for the blessings but also for the struggles. Because if I could overcome those difficult times, they would only make me stronger—and more grateful.

In the end, my optimism doesn’t come from comfort or luck. It comes from crisis, from unbearable moments, from hitting the ground and standing back up again. Those experiences taught me that nothing is obvious, everything is a gift, and resilience builds confidence.

In short: what didn’t kill me made me stronger—and optimistic.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the chef-co.owner of Brunch at Peony, located in Suwanee, GA. Our restaurant offers a Euro-American–style brunch with a boutique atmosphere, where the focus is on creating a unique and elevated experience beyond the traditional brunch format.

One of the highlights of Brunch at Peony is our specialty coffee program. We serve espresso of the highest quality, prepared with great care and creativity by our exceptional barista (Insta: barista_mica). Coffee is not just a beverage here—it’s part of the experience.

What makes Brunch at Peony truly special is its intimate size and character. We designed it intentionally as a boutique-style restaurant, so every detail—from the menu to the service—feels personal and distinctive. Our goal has always been to offer our community something fresh, memorable, and different from the standard brunch scene.

Looking ahead, we are excited to continue expanding our vision and bringing new ideas to the table while staying true to our mission: combining excellent food, outstanding coffee, and genuine hospitality in a warm, approachable setting.

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?

Every person’s journey is unique, so I don’t believe there is a single “magic formula.” But for those who are walking a path similar to mine—such as becoming a chef—I would say a few things have been most impactful.

First, it’s essential to gain real experience and learn to adapt quickly to change. We live in a world flooded with information, where secrets and special techniques are no longer the key to success they once were. Graduating from prestigious schools or creating one “unique” recipe doesn’t guarantee success the way it may have a decade ago. Today, technology and even artificial intelligence are transforming not only industries but also gastronomy.

Second, you must ask yourself if you are truly prepared to live with this career through both good times and hard times. It requires vision—seeing the bigger picture so that every step you take feels steady and intentional. Don’t rush. Experience isn’t gained in a year; it comes from starting at the bottom, learning every stage of the craft, and building confidence over time.

Finally, don’t fear failure. In fact, failure can open your eyes, show you where you stand, and make you stronger each year.

In summary, I believe the most impactful qualities are passion, perseverance, versatility in adapting to change, and above all, maintaining credibility and integrity as a person. These are what bring you closest to real success.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Stressful and overwhelming situations are part of life—they will always happen. My approach has always been not to accumulate problems. I try to face and resolve each issue as soon as possible, because I don’t like letting things pile up. This way, I can focus on one challenge at a time rather than being paralyzed by a mountain of unresolved problems.

Of course, not everything can be solved immediately. When something is truly out of my hands, I do what I can, and then I leave the rest to God. That doesn’t mean waiting passively for solutions to fall from the sky—I act on everything within my reach. But I’ve also learned not to lose myself in unsolvable problems at the expense of those I can resolve.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that nothing is ever completely perfect, and nothing is ever completely disastrous. Every setback that once felt like the end of the world eventually became essential in gaining wisdom and resilience. These experiences have allowed me to approach new challenges with an optimistic mindset.

When life doesn’t give me a break, I intentionally create one. I take time to be with my family, enjoy nature, and recharge. Those moments of pause clear my mind and open space for new ideas and solutions.

In summary: when I feel overwhelmed, I focus on what I can control, maintain the best attitude possible, give myself time to step away and reset, and above all, accept reality with courage instead of asking “Why me?”.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: brunch_at_peony
• Facebook: brunch_at_peony
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brunch-at-peony-suwanee?osq=Brunch+at+Peony

Image Credits

Herman, Alex, Mica, Daeum, Ana, David,