Issue 60: Expand Your World through Fun and Joy with Irene Kang
A visionary who helps widen one's horizon with unique books and toys!
Hi KP!
How do you expand your world? When you speak another language, or when you are interested in another culture, a whole new world opens up. Irene Kang founded and has been running Spark Collection, a bilingual books and toys company, and has been introducing new ways to enrich one’s world. It's been a joy and wonder to follow her journey! I always adored her creative products, but when she unveiled Mr. Kimchi last year—sharing the process from initial sketches through production challenges to the perfect final creation—I fell completely in love with her passion and talent. I'm thrilled to introduce you today to Irene's story, one that left me both inspired and deeply moved. Without further ado, meet Irene, everyone!
P.S. Tomorrow is the April 30th deadline to apply to be a featured artist in our 2026 Komerican Pie Calendar! Check out our Call for Artists Page and take 5-10 minutes to be considered!
KP Q&A with Irene Kang
Irene Kang is the author and creator of Spark Collection bilingual books and cultural toys with a mission to increase AAPI representation in children’s literature and toys while making learning language and culture fun. She is the mom of a Korean-Chinese American family and calls home to Austin, Chicago, Bay Area, and Tianjin. Irene is an alumna of Northwestern University and UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.
Irene created the world's first kimchi plush, Mr. Kimchi, the cult-favorite plushie featured on Eater. Her bilingual books are available in Korean, Chinese and Hindi editions and are sold in shops around the world, including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand. Find her books and toys here. Follow Irene and Spark Collection on IG @thesparkcollection.
Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.
Hello! I’m Irene, mom of a Korean-Chinese American family and founder of Spark Collection bilingual books and cultural toys. I love good food, laughter, quality time with friends and family, and being the change you want to see in the world.
Where are you from? No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)
Oof. I have always struggled with this question. If you look up my official bio, it states: Irene Kang calls home to Austin, Chicago, Bay Area, and Tianjin. That’s because each of these places have shaped my identity and who I am today. I have actually lived in more places than those, moving every year as a child up until the fourth grade. The four cities that make my list are particularly special. Tianjin was where I was born and raised by my grandparents; I travel there to visit whenever I can. Austin is where I currently live with my family and where I started and continue to grow Spark Collection. Chicago is where I spent my defining college and young adult years, where I fell in love and got married. And, the Bay Area is where I grew myself during graduate school, developed my career in Energy, and started my family.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Ambitious, Thoughtful, Warm, Social, Leo (♌︎)
What can you share about your multi-generational immigrant experience?
I think being a multi-generational immigrant is a very unique place to be. Growing up, I wondered about my identity. In America, I didn’t feel like I fit in. But when I visited my family in China, I didn’t feel like I fit in there either. I remember wondering, where do I fit? My Asian-American identity is fluid, and at different times of my life, I have identified as more Asian or more American. Being an Asian-American is a blessing because you get to live, share, and experience the best of both worlds. You get to experience multiple cultures and have ties with more than one community and country in this world.
“To have another language is to possess a second soul.” – Charlemagne
My partner and I value passing down our Korean and Chinese cultures and languages to our kids because of this. What an amazing gift it is to be able to experience and share the food, traditions, friends and communities of three different worlds.
And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?
K BBQ - specifically Kalbi and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth Chadolbagi with sliced green onions, lettuce wraps, ssamjang sauce and cold makgeolli. I’m thinking of you, Cho Sun Ok (Chicago).
What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?
I moved around a lot as a child and was “the new kid.” It taught me how to make friends and form a community, which has become so important to me.
What do people underestimate about you?
I have lived multiple career paths, and in my current path as a founder of Spark Collection and a mom, people are surprised when they hear I’m a former consultant. I suppose they underestimate my ability to get shit done and my love of spreadsheets.
Share your proudest moment in the past year.
I have two that are tied. The first is launching Mr. Kimchi, the world’s first kimchi plush! People around the world LOVE Mr. Kimchi. He sold out in less than a month in December, pre-orders sold out in February before he could even make it back in stock, and he is currently backordered until May.
The second is my son (age 6) getting his Taekwondo orange belt. He worked so hard to practice for his belt exam. On the day of the exam, as soon as he walked into the room, he started crying, feeling the pressure. He sobbed for two hours while everyone (all older students) completed their exams. At the end, he bowed to his Master to say goodbye. His Master said “Where are you going, young man? There’s an orange belt with your name on it.” His Master started giving him commands, and he began, completing a perfectly executed routine that surpassed his past practices. This is my son’s moment, and I am so proud of him for conquering his fear and pushing himself to do something outside his comfort zone.
What was your hardest moment in the past year?
Some health scares in the family were very hard. It reminds me to treasure loved ones and our time on this earth.
We’ve all been hurt in some form or fashion. What are you healing from?
I am healing from my breaking away from societal and familial expectations of what success looks like.
Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?
I'm creating a Kimbap Plushie! My vision is a group of 5 round kimbap friends with different faces that velcro together to form one big kimbap roll. Kimbap friends coming to you in 2025!
How do you love yourself?
By being kind to myself and giving myself grace, especially as a founder and mom of two. Self-care in the form of mid-day runs, hip hop classes, and karaoke with friends.
How do you love others?
Being there for them and showing up, through quality time and thoughtful gifts, and sharing what I love with them.
What five things can you not live without?
Family, friends, good food, blue skies, and laughter.
What’s your favorite dance song?
Dynamite - Taio Cruz, Give Me Everything - Pitbull, Everytime We Touch - Cascada
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Any pie made by Cookie Wookie Kitchen (Austin).
This Q&A was filled out online and edited for length and clarity.
A Dollop of Fun: You’re the Kimchi to My Rice Greeting Card
When I received the Mr. Kimchi plush I ordered in the mail last December along with this “You’re the kimchi to my rice” greeting card, I couldn’t get enough of both! How perfect is this phrase to express your most sincere love, care, and affection? (Imagine how sad would rice be without kimchi!) Designed and collaborated with widely popular My Korean Childhood, this adorable greeting card comes with blank inside to fill with your own love language and the light yellow envelope to complement!
