Meet Cathy Koo

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

Cathy , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I came to the United States after graduating from an art academy, and over the years, Los Angeles has truly become my second home — the place where I’ve lived the longest and discovered who I am as both an artist and a person. Life as an immigrant hasn’t always been easy. You learn to adapt to new rhythms, new cultures, and even new versions of yourself. I had to overcome language and lifestyle differences, and sometimes even my own self-doubt. But through all of that, I learned to find beauty in change — something my art continues to reflect.

My resilience comes deeply from my family. My mother is one of the strongest people I know; she taught my sisters and me to be independent, to work with dedication, to live with sincerity, and to be kind but firm in our values. My husband has also been my quiet strength — whenever I encounter setbacks or make mistakes at work, he helps me stay grounded and approach things with clarity. And my sister — she has shown me what unconditional love truly means. When I was struggling emotionally or needed help after giving birth, she didn’t hesitate; she simply got on a flight from Shanghai to Los Angeles to take care of me.

For me, resilience isn’t just about endurance. It’s about grace — the grace to keep growing, to keep creating, and to keep believing that even in moments of difficulty, there is always love and strength to return to.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I work as a commercial illustrator, creative stylist specializing in makeup, hair, and wardrobe design, and a creative producer — roles that let me bring visual stories to life from concept to completion. I’m also the founder of Mairin Clarity, a nonprofit focused on creative collaboration and community impact.

What excites me most about my work is its variety, every project is a challenge and an opportunity to grow. This year, I also began exploring short drama production, a fast-moving, dynamic field very different from traditional film and television. I’m fortunate to be part of a team whose work has achieved outstanding results, including a production that reached the top of the charts.

I’ve learned that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. As a mother of two, I hope to show my children that courage, persistence, and the willingness to fail are key to progress. A Chinese saying I hold close is: “When rowing upstream, if you stop moving forward, you fall behind.” The world moves fast, and the only way to stay inspired is to keep learning, challenging yourself, and creating.

Looking ahead, I hope to collaborate with more creative minds worldwide, producing work that blends imagination, emotion, and culture, and connects people through creativity.

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?

Looking back, I think the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are sincerity, kindness, and the courage to express myself.

Sincerity has guided the way I work and connect with people. Whether it’s with clients, collaborators, or my team, being genuine builds trust and trust is the foundation of every meaningful creative partnership.

Kindness and a willingness to help others have also carried me a long way. The creative industry can be competitive, but I’ve learned that generosity always comes back to you in unexpected ways. When you lift others up, you build a community that grows together.

And finally, the courage to express myself — to show my perspective, my culture, my way of seeing beauty — has been essential. For anyone just starting out, I’d say: don’t be afraid to be seen. Your voice, your story, and your creativity are what make your work unique. Keep learning, stay open, and always lead with heart.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

We all have moments of confusion and doubt, those times when no matter how hard you try, your goals still feel out of reach. That’s when self-doubt creeps in, and it’s easy to start questioning your own worth or even giving up on your original dreams.

When I find myself in that state, I always try to pause and ask my heart a simple question: Do you really want to give up? I ask myself this three times. If the answer is still “no,” then I know it’s time to take a step back, not to quit, but to breathe.

Sometimes I’ll put everything aside and go outside for a walk, get a cup of coffee on the corner, and just let my mind rest. It’s important to give your brain space to stop forcing solutions and allow calm to return. Once I feel more centered, I look at my situation as if I were an outsider. I write down all the problems I’m facing, one by one, and then think through possible ways to solve them one step at a time.

When you slow down and face things with clarity, even the biggest challenges become manageable. Sometimes, all we really need is a moment of quiet and the courage to keep going.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathykoo.makeup/

Image Credits

Producer: Mary Liu,
Director: Dan Chen ( PUCKED
BY MY BROTHER’S RIVAL),
Director: Grace Park (FAKE DATING MY RICH NEMESIS),
Photographer: Qu,
Key HMUA: Cathy Koo