Issue 40: Kind, Gentle, and Strong Leadership with Dr. Kyung Hae Hwang
Power of quiet leadership that uplifts everyone
Hi KP!
Among many, many words I want to use to describe Dr. Kyung Hae Hwang, a friend I’ve known since high school in Korea, I can’t find a better word than exemplary. I hesitate to use it because it may sound mundane and doesn't fully capture the joy, exuberance, and pioneering spirit that Kyung Hae embodies, but she truly is exemplary. She has always been quiet and gentle, yet she has consistently forged her own path with unmatched energy. From an early age, she explored entrepreneurship, studied with great determination and intent, and volunteered for various communities. Witnessing her achievements and contributions over the past two decades has only deepened my admiration for her. I hope you get a sense of Kyung Hae’s quiet yet strong leadership in this interview, and I trust it will inspire you to believe that kindness can change the world. Please join me in welcoming Kyung Hae Hwang!
Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with Dr. Kyung Hae Hwang
Kyung Hae Hwang, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, combines a deep commitment to communication sciences with a personal passion for helping people connect. She serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Communicative Sciences and Disorders in NYU and founded iTalk Speech & Language Center to meet the needs of bilingual and neurodiverse individuals. With advanced degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, Kyung Hae has built a career spanning early intervention, NYC public schools, and medical settings, focusing on clinical care and research in neurogenic speech disorders and telepractice. When not working, she enjoys coffee, staying active, and unwinding with her family. Follow the various online and in-person events and offerings from iTalk Speech & Language Center in NJ here.
Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.
I’m originally from South Korea and grew up between Thailand and Korea, attending a foreign language high school that deepened my appreciation for multiculturalism and multilingualism. Now based in New Jersey, I’m passionate about supporting neurodiverse individuals in finding their voice and connecting across language barriers. In my free time, I enjoy a good coffee, staying active, and spending quality time with my family.
Where are you from?
I am from South Korea, grew up in both Thailand and Korea, and currently live in NJ, USA.
No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)
Born in South Korea, raised in Korea and Thailand, and now living in New Jersey, I’m from a family that believes in lending a hand wherever we can. My parents are currently in Cambodia, helping children in need of education, and I’m grateful to carry a bit of their spirit with me.
What’s your sign?
Sagittarius
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Compassionate, open-minded, dedicated, empathetic, and resilient
What do you love about being Komerican?
I love being the first generation in my family to make a home in a new country, knowing that my experiences will help shape the path for my children. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about being the bridge between my cultural heritage and the life my kids will create here. Watching them grow up with a mix of my traditions and their own American experiences brings so much joy and pride. I hope my journey shows them the importance of resilience and adaptability and helps them embrace both where they came from and where they’re headed.
And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?
It’s impossible to choose just one, but I’ll try to narrow it down to three: 떡볶이 (spicy rice cakes), 김치찌개 (kimchi-stew), and 계란밥 (egg rice).
What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?
My childhood was a blend of cultures and languages, moving between Korea and Thailand. Growing up in such diverse environments taught me adaptability, empathy, and the value of seeing the world from multiple perspectives.
Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?
I’m working on my flexibility so that I can eventually bend down and have my belly touch my legs.
What do people underestimate about you?
People sometimes see my calm demeanor and assume I’m laid-back, but I’m actually incredibly determined and persistent when it comes to my goals—and brave when it comes to someone I love and care about.
Share your proudest moment in the past year.
My proudest moment this past year was earning my Ph.D. while balancing motherhood and managing iTalk Speech & Language Center. It was a challenging journey, but achieving this goal while juggling family and career responsibilities reminded me of my resilience and passion for both personal growth and helping others.
What was your hardest moment in the past year?
My hardest moment this past year was finishing my dissertation while also supporting my daughter through her struggles with math at school. Writing can be incredibly challenging, and I went through over 150 drafts for just one paper. The process tested my patience and persistence, teaching me the value of resilience. It was also a chance for my daughter to see that perseverance and patience can help us through tough times, and we both grew stronger together.
We’ve all been hurt in some form or fashion. What are you healing from?
I’m healing from both the emotional and physical demands of this past year. Balancing my Ph.D., running my clinic, and supporting my family was incredibly rewarding but exhausting, and I’m also recovering from an ACL and MCL tear. It’s been a journey of learning to embrace rest, prioritize self-care, and find a balance between supporting others and taking care of myself.
How do you love yourself?
By making time to be with my family, absorbing their love, making time for a good coffee, and exercise
How do you love others?
I love others by truly listening and approaching each person with empathy and an open heart. I believe everyone has their own unique journey, so I make an effort to understand their perspective without judgment. Loving others, for me, is about creating a safe space where they feel seen, valued, and supported for who they are.
What five things can you not live without?
Family, friends, good weather, coffee, and korean food
What’s your favorite dance song?
I don’t dance :)
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?
“My favorite products from HMart are all different kinds of 떡볶이 (spicy rice cakes), Jongga kimchi, and 오징어채무침 (seasoned dried squid). These are my soul foods, bringing me comfort while living in New Jersey.” - Kyung Hae. H
What’s your favorite H Mart product? Share the love and leave a comment!
Crispy Crust: A Touch of Jeong - Uplifting illustrations that delight
Even when the world might feel grim, we make it a little better and a little brighter by being kind to others (and to ourselves).
Love, Aram
Korean School: 떡볶이 tteokbokki, the number one comfort food
Fun facts, idioms, translations and history
Everyone in Korea grows up with 떡볶이 tteokbokki, spicy rice cake. It is the number one comfort food for people of all ages. Even the best-selling memoire about mental health and self-care has tteokbokki in its title. There are all sorts of tteokbokki, ranging from street food carts to small, cozy shops, and popular franchise restaurants. The most common places to eat tteokbokki are boonsik-jip, which are snack bars often run by a single person who manages cooking, serving, cleaning, and transactions all at once. To make the process efficient, tteokbokki and other quick-bite foods are typically served on a plate covered with a disposable plastic bag, allowing for easy cleanup after eating. Tteokbokki is often accompanied with a paper cup of hot broth, in which fish cake skewers are cooked. Yum!
Sweet & Salty: A Tasty Treat Satisfying all the Senses
Do you have art on your wall? You may have paintings, framed prints, posters from concerts, postcards you bought during traveling, or a beautiful calendar that brightens your space all year long. People love and collect various kinds of art. I am a sucker for art from printed matters, and Athenaeum Comic Art is a goldmine for lovers of comics and comic art. They sell original art from various comic artists, including our very own Mika Song. In their statement, it says that the founder Sean Watkins “noticed that many indie artists were not getting the attention that they deserved by the mainstream original art collecting world” and that “there was a need to help very busy artists sell their work” which I wholeheartedly agree with. Check out their website to see if they carry your favorite comic artist’s original art!