Issue 36: Learn Korean with Jean E. Lee
An artist and entrepreneur with heart, passion, and love for the community
Hi KP!
Today, I want to introduce you to Jean E. Lee. Back in 2017, after only a couple of weeks of publishing my second picture book No Kimchi for Me!, I got an email from someone who said she wanted me to speak to her students. Spoiler alert, it was Jean, who was running Brooklyn Korean School. When I visited BKS, the kids were as diverse as their parents. I loved speaking to a room full of kids with various degrees of Korean heritage backgrounds and interests. I felt abundant love and support from the kids, teachers, and caregivers I met there. Since then, it has become a tradition for me to visit BKS whenever I release a new book. And every time I visit, I am amazed by how much the school has grown and how rich its curriculum has become. Jean, who is an artist herself and an amazing entrepreneur, built this beautiful community with heart, passion, and love. I can’t wait to see what she has coming next! Please join me in welcoming Jean.
Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with Jean E. Lee
Jean E. Lee is a Senior Artist Representative at Plum Reps, NY. Previously, she worked in magazines as a photo editor at InStyle, Good Housekeeping, and Kraft. She studied Photography and Journalism at Rutgers University and then studied Studio Art at New York University. Jean is the founder and director of Brooklyn Korean School. Follow BKS on IG here.
Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.
My name is Jean E. Lee. I like to use my middle initial as I’ve learned there are many many Jean Lee’s in this world. I come from a musical family, my dad is a conductor, my mom an organist, and my sister a neo-soul singer. I chose to stay in the arts and studied photography and now work with amazing photographers and stylists at Plum Reps. I am an avid reader and one day I would love to have my own bookstore.
Where are you from?
Currently Brooklyn!
No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)
Oh boy…it's complicated. The short answer = Korea + Tri-state.
Longer answer: Born in Korea, moved to NY when I was 7 years old. Moved to PA in 6th grade. Moved BACK to Korea for 8th & 9th grade. Moved back to PA for high school and then NJ for college. And now Brooklyn for 16+ years…so where am I really from?? :)
What’s your sign?
Cancer!
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Creative, caring, curious, productive, and loyal.
What do you love about being Komerican?
The food! Korean food is the best. Hands down!
And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?
Bibim gooksu, ddukbokgee, gimbap!
What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?
My childhood was a bit of a journey…moving from Korea to the States, back to Korea, and then back to the States again. It was challenging because I always felt like “the other,” never fully fitting in no matter where I was. Even when I returned to Korea, in middle school, I felt different and my classmates saw me that way too. I looked like them, but having grown up in the States, I was different in so many ways.
These experiences taught me a lot about resilience and embracing my unique identity. It wasn’t always easy being different, but it helped me develop a strong sense of self. Now as an adult, I’ve learned to be ok with not being like everyone else. I’ve come to learn that being different is not just okay-it's something to be celebrated.
Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?
At Brooklyn Korean School, we’re currently developing a textbook specifically designed for students living outside of Korea, aimed at both Koreans and non-Koreans who want to learn the language and culture. Our goal is to create an inclusive tool that bridges cultural understanding while making the learning process engaging and relevant to students’ lives abroad.
The textbook will feature fun and interactive content, with relatable scenarios that reflect life outside of Korea, making the language more accessible and meaningful.
As BKS enters its 8th year, our teachers have excelled in teaching Korean to those who may not be growing up in a Korean-speaking environment. We are also fortunate to have an amazing designer (wink wink) who has been patiently collaborating with us on this project so I can’t wait until we can share it with everyone!
Share your proudest moment in the past year.
Parents at BKS have shared that our school has helped both them and their children feel seen. Many of the families that come to our school are multi-ethnic, and they’ve told us that before coming here, they never felt like they truly belonged. Meeting other families with similar experience at BKS has helped them feel more understood and accepted.
When I started BKS, my priority was always to build a strong sense of community. Yes, we teach the Korean language and culture, but above all, it's about giving everyone a voice, a sense of belonging, whether they’re full Korean, half, a quarter, not Korean at all, or part of the first or second generation.
What was your hardest moment in the past year?
Puberty! My kids are starting to go through puberty and I thought sleep training was hard, but puberty takes it to a whole new level. Deep breaths!
How do you love yourself?
Still learning this one…but taking time to just be. That can look like reading a book, going for a walk, getting a massage…simply doing something without the pressure to be productive.
One of my good friends always reminds me to “relax” and I am trying to do more of that!
How do you love others?
Quality time! We are all so busy these days so I really cherish the time that I can spend with my family and friends.
What five things can you not live without?
Family
Friends
Coffee
Books
GARLIC
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
I love Hojicha Custard pie from Four Twenty Blackbirds! They don’t always carry it so when they do, everyone should try!
This Q&A was filled out online and edited for length and clarity.
H Mart Happiness: What’s your favorite product and why?
“Jin Ramen! When I was in 1st grade in Korea, Jin Ramen was just starting to show up in stores. Because my name is 진, kids used to call me Jin Ramen. I hated being called that but it’s good ramen! I still enjoy it and it brings back memories~” - Jean E. 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
Fall is here - a season for hot coffee, a cardigan, and sitting outside. Even doing the same work feels different when you sit outside surrounded by changing leaves. What do you love about fall?
Love, Aram
Korean School: 한글날 Hangul Nal
Fun facts, idioms, translations and history
한글날 Hangul Nal is celebrated on October 9th in Korea every year. It is the day to commemorate the widespread of 훈민정음 Hunminjeongeum, the original version of Korean alphabets, created by King Sejong the Great and his royal scholars in 1443, and proclaimed in 1446. Before Hangul was invented, Koreans used Chinese characters for their written system. In the hierarchical society of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1920) with clear class divisions, only the aristocrats learned writing and reading Chinese characters. The lower classes which consisted majority of the society didn’t have access to reading and writing. To correct this, King Sejong the Great and his scholars created 28 letters for anyone to write and read easily. It is unprecedented in the world history that the creator of a language is recorded as well as its birth date, the process, and the reason behind the creation.
Sweet & Salty: A Tasty Treat Satisfying all the Senses
I can’t get enough of this adorable Kimchi Plush, Mr. Kimchi! This Kickstarter project surpassed its initial goal and its stretch goal very quickly since its launch. It’s not surprising - who wouldn’t want this cushy, soft, squeezable kimchi plush? After backing this project, I’ve been loving getting the updates and the behind-the-scenes of making the plush. Spark Collection is an independent publisher run by another talented Komerican woman entrepreneur Irene Kang, with a team of talented POC women. They have been creating bilingual books, toys, and now this amazingly irresistible kimchi plush! The campaign closes this Friday, and I want everyone to pledge before then so that every household gets this adorable kimchi plush this winter.