Lauren Mary Kim interview
When Sonshi.com’s new Chief Founder stepped up to the plate two years ago, he promised he would revolutionize how people regard The Art of War, especially how people view the readers themselves. While he presented more familiar scholars and practitioners like Thomas Cleary, Guy Kawasaki, and Marc Benioff, he also introduced us to equally gifted scholars and practitioners like Angie Morgan, Courtney Lynch, and Jessica Steindorff.
Thus, the stereotypical Art of War reader imagery of an old military commander seeking to wage battle remains largely dubious, especially in today’s increasingly complex, networked world. Rather, they are leaders -- men and women, young and old -- of all fields and endeavors who seek to better themselves and others every day. They love to win yet they think beyond themselves. They love to compete yet they show compassion for their fellow human beings.
A perfect example of such a leader is Lauren Mary Kim, our honored guest and Sonshi.com’s Woman Warrior. As an actress, dancer, and martial artist, she possesses attributes of a great leader: the talent, strength, and confidence to achieve her dreams in life. People sometimes forget that show business is still business, and behind the glamour involves countless hours of strategy and practice forged by hectic schedules.
What began as an extracurricular activity in school evolved into a dance career as an LA Lakers girl and then evolved again into an acting career in TV shows and movies such asBacklash, Reno 911, Happy Hour, Monk, and Rush Hour 3, along with numerous stunt credits. Speaking of Rush Hour 3 and stunts, actor Jackie Chan started his career as a stuntman for Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon and soon rose to stardom. Ms. Lauren Mary Kim too will undoubtedly become a superstar in her own right in a few years; remember her name. We were fortunate to catch her in Europe in the midst of her busy schedule yet she was kind enough to do this interview with us.
Ms. Kim was born and raised in Stockton, California and received her bachelor’s degree in business at California State University-Northridge. To learn more about her, go to her website at LaurenMaryKim.com and the Internet Movie Database profile.
Below is our interview with Lauren Mary Kim. Enjoy!
Sonshi.com: You started out your career dancing for various companies and cheerleading in sporting events for the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and the LA Lakers. Similar to a question we ask about leaders, are great dancers born or are they made?
Kim: I think both. Of course some people have a natural ability to move, while others do not. The ones who do not, can excel as a terrific dancer if he or she works hard. Anyone who trains often and hard will no doubt improve. But you have to have the love for it! I think that is the most important thing to become a great dancer. So yes I think great dancers are born and made. It just depends how you want to develop your skill.
Sonshi.com: How did you get started in the martial arts?
Kim: I didn't start martial arts training until I was 22. At the time I was getting a little burnt out on dancing. I wanted to start taking gymnastic classes and had heard through the grapevine that there is a place that has an open gym at a gymnastic facility. The place was called LA Valley College that has a night program where people can come and train and use the floor. Martial artists, dancers, gymnasts, and break dancers all came to train together.
One night I went to the open gym and met some people who take a gymnastics class there. So the following week I took the class and I loved it. We learn cool tricks like butterfly twists side sumi's, gainers, corkscrews, etc, which is all new to me. I soon became addicted and couldn't get enough of it. A lot of the people that trained in the class were stunt men and women and already knew martial arts. A couple guys took me under their wing and taught me everything from basics to more flashy moves.
In the following years I have dabbled in wu-shu, gung fu, taekwondo, boxing, muay thai, mma, and sport karate. So I was a late bloomer.
Sonshi.com: Does dance help you with your wushu forms and fight choreography?
Kim: My dance background helps me tremendously. It helps with hand and eye coordination, flexibility, memory, and sharp lines, as well as style, grace, and being centered.
Sonshi.com: What was your most memorable acting job?
Kim: I think the most memorable acting job was a PSA for domestic violence. The role I played was a young wife and mother who was continually being verbally and physically abused by her husband. I have never experienced domestic violence so it was a challenge to portray these emotions. It was a rewarding experience to be a part of this project. Hopefully it will allow women to be strong and seek help when they are in need and to let them know that they are not alone and that people want to help.
Sonshi.com: Your parents guided you into the world of entertainment: at an early age, you were involved in dance recitals, plays, and competitions. In what ways were they supportive?
Kim: I am so blessed that my parents allowed me to choose my extra curricular activities. As a child I was so curious to try everything and they let me. I took dance classes, acrobatics, violin, piano, soccer, theater, basketball, and softball. As the years went by I narrowed my extra curricular activities down to only dance and soccer because I loved those the most.
It's funny because I never dreamed or aspired to do dance as a profession, or for that matter any of my extra curricular activities. I just thought of them as something I just loved to do. Everything that happened in my career has just kind of "happened" and has evolved to be what it is... because I had so much passion for the arts. And maybe God kind of guided me and open doors for me. Who knows?
But all I know is that my parents never pushed me too much and I never felt pressured by them. They just let me "be," and I thank them for that because if I had experienced pressure maybe it wouldn't have been so much fun and I might have been turned off. Today my parents are still very supportive of me, even though my lifestyle is so crazy... traveling all over the world and sporadic work schedules.
Sonshi.com: Were they also in the entertainment industry?
Kim: My parents are not in the entertainment business.
Sonshi.com: From your experiences, what advice would you give to aspiring young people who want to go into a career in acting?
Kim: I think training is so important. Check out a bunch of different acting schools and stick to a class that you really enjoy. Try to get some experience on set by doing short films, student films, and independent projects to develop a reel. Remember that baby steps count! It takes time so be patient. Just try to immerse yourself in the culture... like going to plays, auditioning, watch movies and television, etc.
Sonshi.com: We understand you also do some writing. Tell us more about it.
Kim: A couple of years ago I had an idea for a movie. I wrote a very detailed treatment for it but then I became very busy with work and never had a chance to write the script. I worked hours into the night on the treatment and I still think it is a good idea. I hope one day I will have time to finish it.
[End of interview]
Thus, the stereotypical Art of War reader imagery of an old military commander seeking to wage battle remains largely dubious, especially in today’s increasingly complex, networked world. Rather, they are leaders -- men and women, young and old -- of all fields and endeavors who seek to better themselves and others every day. They love to win yet they think beyond themselves. They love to compete yet they show compassion for their fellow human beings.
A perfect example of such a leader is Lauren Mary Kim, our honored guest and Sonshi.com’s Woman Warrior. As an actress, dancer, and martial artist, she possesses attributes of a great leader: the talent, strength, and confidence to achieve her dreams in life. People sometimes forget that show business is still business, and behind the glamour involves countless hours of strategy and practice forged by hectic schedules.
What began as an extracurricular activity in school evolved into a dance career as an LA Lakers girl and then evolved again into an acting career in TV shows and movies such asBacklash, Reno 911, Happy Hour, Monk, and Rush Hour 3, along with numerous stunt credits. Speaking of Rush Hour 3 and stunts, actor Jackie Chan started his career as a stuntman for Bruce Lee in Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon and soon rose to stardom. Ms. Lauren Mary Kim too will undoubtedly become a superstar in her own right in a few years; remember her name. We were fortunate to catch her in Europe in the midst of her busy schedule yet she was kind enough to do this interview with us.
Ms. Kim was born and raised in Stockton, California and received her bachelor’s degree in business at California State University-Northridge. To learn more about her, go to her website at LaurenMaryKim.com and the Internet Movie Database profile.
Below is our interview with Lauren Mary Kim. Enjoy!
Sonshi.com: You started out your career dancing for various companies and cheerleading in sporting events for the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and the LA Lakers. Similar to a question we ask about leaders, are great dancers born or are they made?
Kim: I think both. Of course some people have a natural ability to move, while others do not. The ones who do not, can excel as a terrific dancer if he or she works hard. Anyone who trains often and hard will no doubt improve. But you have to have the love for it! I think that is the most important thing to become a great dancer. So yes I think great dancers are born and made. It just depends how you want to develop your skill.
Sonshi.com: How did you get started in the martial arts?
Kim: I didn't start martial arts training until I was 22. At the time I was getting a little burnt out on dancing. I wanted to start taking gymnastic classes and had heard through the grapevine that there is a place that has an open gym at a gymnastic facility. The place was called LA Valley College that has a night program where people can come and train and use the floor. Martial artists, dancers, gymnasts, and break dancers all came to train together.
One night I went to the open gym and met some people who take a gymnastics class there. So the following week I took the class and I loved it. We learn cool tricks like butterfly twists side sumi's, gainers, corkscrews, etc, which is all new to me. I soon became addicted and couldn't get enough of it. A lot of the people that trained in the class were stunt men and women and already knew martial arts. A couple guys took me under their wing and taught me everything from basics to more flashy moves.
In the following years I have dabbled in wu-shu, gung fu, taekwondo, boxing, muay thai, mma, and sport karate. So I was a late bloomer.
Sonshi.com: Does dance help you with your wushu forms and fight choreography?
Kim: My dance background helps me tremendously. It helps with hand and eye coordination, flexibility, memory, and sharp lines, as well as style, grace, and being centered.
Sonshi.com: What was your most memorable acting job?
Kim: I think the most memorable acting job was a PSA for domestic violence. The role I played was a young wife and mother who was continually being verbally and physically abused by her husband. I have never experienced domestic violence so it was a challenge to portray these emotions. It was a rewarding experience to be a part of this project. Hopefully it will allow women to be strong and seek help when they are in need and to let them know that they are not alone and that people want to help.
Sonshi.com: Your parents guided you into the world of entertainment: at an early age, you were involved in dance recitals, plays, and competitions. In what ways were they supportive?
Kim: I am so blessed that my parents allowed me to choose my extra curricular activities. As a child I was so curious to try everything and they let me. I took dance classes, acrobatics, violin, piano, soccer, theater, basketball, and softball. As the years went by I narrowed my extra curricular activities down to only dance and soccer because I loved those the most.
It's funny because I never dreamed or aspired to do dance as a profession, or for that matter any of my extra curricular activities. I just thought of them as something I just loved to do. Everything that happened in my career has just kind of "happened" and has evolved to be what it is... because I had so much passion for the arts. And maybe God kind of guided me and open doors for me. Who knows?
But all I know is that my parents never pushed me too much and I never felt pressured by them. They just let me "be," and I thank them for that because if I had experienced pressure maybe it wouldn't have been so much fun and I might have been turned off. Today my parents are still very supportive of me, even though my lifestyle is so crazy... traveling all over the world and sporadic work schedules.
Sonshi.com: Were they also in the entertainment industry?
Kim: My parents are not in the entertainment business.
Sonshi.com: From your experiences, what advice would you give to aspiring young people who want to go into a career in acting?
Kim: I think training is so important. Check out a bunch of different acting schools and stick to a class that you really enjoy. Try to get some experience on set by doing short films, student films, and independent projects to develop a reel. Remember that baby steps count! It takes time so be patient. Just try to immerse yourself in the culture... like going to plays, auditioning, watch movies and television, etc.
Sonshi.com: We understand you also do some writing. Tell us more about it.
Kim: A couple of years ago I had an idea for a movie. I wrote a very detailed treatment for it but then I became very busy with work and never had a chance to write the script. I worked hours into the night on the treatment and I still think it is a good idea. I hope one day I will have time to finish it.
[End of interview]