Issue 26: Summer Vacation and Mental Health with Jamila Benson
Finding ways to take care of your mind and body
Hi, KP community!
We're back after taking a month off, recharging ourselves and resting. I am spending my summer in Korea, and I thought ‘What could be better than interviewing Jamila Benson, an Alabama native currently living in Gyeonggi-do, my hometown in Korea?’ Jamila is a founder of Anxiety and Kimbap 근심과 김밥, a brand that grabbed my attention the minute I came across their name and the logo years ago. Those two words may not be seen together that often, but why do they sound so perfect together? Jamila’s illustrations and merch pair the most familiar Korean culture/elements with sometimes funny, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes comforting, and always clever words and phrases to make you laugh, think, to comfort you, and bring awareness to the importance of mental health. I was exhilarated when Jamila said yes to sharing her story with Komerican Pie, and loved reading every single answer she gave. Enjoy the interview, and stay cool in the heat!
Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with Jamila Benson
Jamila Benson is the founder and owner of Anxiety and Kimbap. She attended the University of Montevallo intending to graduate with a BA in art, but ended up graduating with a BS in psychology with a minor in human service. She returned to art with the creation of Anxiety and Kimbap through which she designs pins and other merch that are greatly influenced by Korea (food, objects, language etc.), mixed with pop culture and mental health themes. Korean culture has helped Jamila in her darkest times. Jamila found comfort in a K-drama after her first heartbreak and found purpose in designing memorable souvenirs with Korean culture in mind. With her brand, she can give back to the country that has given so much. She has donated and fundraised for multiple organizations in Korea like Angel House Orphanage and DDing Dong Youth Crisis Support Center for LGBTQ adolescents. When Jamila isn’t working on Anxiety and Kimbap stuff, she enjoys passing the time walking around a park, checking out the dessert menus at different cafes, or watching a show on her tablet. And she loves spending time with her cat Melong! Find Jamila on Instagram.
Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.
Hi, I’m Jamila. I am a self-taught illustrator. Everyday, I am reinventing myself.
Where are you from?
I live in Gyeonggi Province in South Korea. I have lived here for ten years now, wow, that’s a long time.
No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)
Alabama! Roll Tide! This question is so funny to me. My first year in Korea, I was asked that EXACT question by a local who was curious about my ancestry because they were not content with my answer. Sadly, I do not know much about my background outside of being a Black American. I’m a born and bred Southerner, that had to unlearn and relearn a lot of stuff along the way.
What’s your sign?
I’m an Aries! It’s probably why I use spite and my stubbornness to drive myself to continue creating, I love it!
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Passionate. Humorous. Pessimistic. Empathetic. Loud.
What do you love about your multi-generational immigrant experience?
Hm, I actually had a little difficulty answering this question as I didn’t know how to approach it and had to think deeply about it. I have lived the majority of my adult life in Korea as a migrant. While living in America, I saw myself through the lenses of others and my surroundings, I was what they were but didn’t know or understand why.
When I moved to Korea, I was ‘the other’ and I stood out from my surroundings. Here is where I learned more about myself, who I am and what it means to be a Black American with roots from Africa. While I don’t know much about my ancestry, I learned that the culture and heritage I share with others like me back in America, is just as important and I love that.
And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?
Dak-galbi! I’m a huge add-on person too. My go-to order would consist of goguma (sweet potato), ramen, cheese, and all the ddeok. Another favorite is chicken kimbap.
What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?
My childhood was like an amusement park with two attractions; a haunted house and a rollercoaster. Experiencing that has taught me that therapy and counseling are important to becoming a somewhat functioning adult. Also, that patience is the best talent and gift to have. It’s everything and people are deserving of it.
Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?
Oh yes! I have a Kimchi Bear character that I want to create a plush toy of. I have been working and reworking on the design for it. I am also working on the background history of the Kimchi Bear characters and hope to create a cool zine for them.
What do people underestimate about you?
My drive to prove them wrong. I don’t know if that’s healthy or not.
Share your proudest moment in the past year.
Finally participating in a huge illustration fair in Seoul and getting to meet longtime supporters of Anxiety and Kimbap.
What was your hardest moment in the past year?
Losing an aunt to colon cancer and my cat having to undergo a surgery in the same week. Stress and grief left a lot of room for depression. It was a hard time to create or even be present.
We’ve all been hurt in some form or fashion. What are you healing from?
Childhood trauma. I wasn’t able to express my feelings, speak up for myself, or ask for help. So I wasn’t a kind person when I was younger because I didn’t know how to properly “express myself” and everything just came out as anger. I’m now in my thirties and still have remnants of that lingering. I am now kinder to myself and others, but I do have moments where I need to step back and calm down before I speak or act.
How do you love yourself?
With colorful hair! My favorite color for my hair is currently orange.
How do you love others?
With patience, understanding, music and memes.
What five things can you not live without?
My iPad and Apple Pencil, headphones, green tea and music.
What’s your favorite dance song?
Be My Baby by the Wonder Girls. Do you remember the Wonder Girls?? I remember watching mirrored tutorial videos on Youtube to learn that dance. I’m a little rusty but by the first chorus the dance moves come back. Muscle memory! Oh and Roly Poly by T-Ara. Good times!
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Pecan pie.
This Q&A was filled out online and edited for length and clarity.
H Mart Happiness: What’s your favorite product and why?
“I love how different Chapagetti is from other instant noodle soups. First time I cooked it, I made a mistake of making it like other instant noodles (putting all the powder sauce into the boiling water), but after that, I became an expert in making really good Chapagetti.” - Ella L.
What’s your favorite H Mart product? Share the love and leave a comment!
Crispy Crust: A Touch of Jeong - Uplifting illustrations that delight
It rained so much last month, I thought of getting a colorful raincoat to cheer myself up. (I didn’t.) Do you have a favorite rain gear?
Love, Aram
Korean School: 장마 Jangma, a rainy season in Korea
Fun facts, idioms, translations and history
장마 Jangma is a term to call monsoon season in Korea with constant, heavy rainfall. It usually happens between mid-June through mid or end of July, often causing damages to farms, flooding the roads, ruining summer holiday plans, and increasingly causing great safety hazards even in urban areas. Especially with drastically warming global weather, jangma season has become more and more severe in recent years. When it’s finally over, don’t relax just yet. Jangma is followed by scorching heat! The real hot summer in Korea begins.
Sweet & Salty: A list of the tastiest treats satisfying all the senses
It is hard to stop scrolling at Anxiety and Kimbap website that is full of fun, cheeky, and clever stickers, enamel pins, magnets, key chains, and stationaries. I especially love this A is for Ajumma series products. Korea runs on Ajumma power and these caught its essence so humorously and lovingly with so much fun and respect. I can’t love more of Jamila’s selection of ajummas - so spot on! (Notice the “Kimchi Slap” ajumma!)
Someday Books is a shared space “where someday becomes today.” I was fascinated by the concept when I learned about this space. An owner of Paperr, a manwha-bang (comics room) in Seoul where you pay per hour and read as many comic books as you want, runs this “shared bookstore.” The concept is that anyone can apply to rent a shelf in this space for a month, and use it however you like - to test out a store you dreamed of opening one day, to display your art to showcase and promote, to sell items you have collected over time, etc. While renting a shelf, you can also hold workshops or exhibitions. One may not be able to rent a whole storefront, but you can test it out in this shared space and experiment. How cool is that?