Meet DADA KIM

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

DADA, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

For me, the secret ingredient has often been frustration — but in a productive way. I learned to use that negative emotion as fuel to fire me, to keep going when things felt unfair or out of reach.

Because I couldn’t afford art school, because I had limited time and resources to learn, perform, and achieve, that pushed me to work harder — and, more importantly, to work smarter with the time I had.

In the end, I realized everything I was doing had to be for me, not for anyone else. That mindset turned my frustration into determination, and made me stronger and more independent, even when I was the only one in the room who looked like me.

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?

My practice centers around photography and painting. But recently, I’ve been exploring animation as a new way to communicate with my audience. My focus has always been on connection: how can I express myself more honestly, and how can I help viewers feel that connection too?

I don’t set boundaries for myself in pursuing that. I follow my curiosity, try new mediums, and let each one open a new door. Right now, I’m experimenting with ways to bring my paintings and photography to life through short animated stories — an exciting step that feels like expanding the language of my art.

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?

My biggest advice is simple: do it for yourself. There’s nothing more valuable than creating from an authentic place. Practice harder because you want to improve. Spend more time because you care about being better than yesterday. And enjoy the process — that’s how you find meaning in your work and in your life.

In your dream scenario, you should be working harder than anyone else because you love what you do most. Passion makes discipline effortless.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Honestly? My biggest challenge right now is my relationship with social media as an artist. Like in many other industries, social media has reshaped how we experience and share art.

On the positive side, it gives emerging artists a platform without needing traditional gatekeepers like galleries. But on the flip side, engagement metrics — likes, comments, algorithms — can subtly influence your creative direction.

Do algorithms value your unique perspective? Should you follow trends to gain visibility? There isn’t one right answer. For me, it’s an ongoing process of balancing authenticity with exposure — learning how to stay true to my vision while navigating a system built around numbers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dadakim.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadakiim/