"Bringing inspiration into your life" – There is someone who embodies the keyword 'versatility' better than anyone else. Kim Daeun, a YouTuber actively engaged as a film director, exhibition planner, writer, makeup artist, and CEO, serves as a true source of inspiration for many. Currently, with around 430,000 YouTube subscribers, she creates diverse content that captivates a wide audience. Let's explore more about Kim Daeun with CAH, someone who not only inspires, but leaves an impact on everyone who encounters her work.

#Starting the Interview
1. Please introduce yourself to Chung-Ang University students and Chung-Ang Herald readers.
Hello. I am Kim Daeun, the founder of Kimdax Studio, where I work as a YouTuber, film director, exhibition planner, and writer. Nice to meet you.

2. What is the most memorable episode during your undergraduate years at Chung-Ang University?
One memorable episode is when I hosted a talk show on stage during Chung-Ang University's 100th-anniversary event. I was a student at the time, close to graduating. It was a fantastic opportunity to share my story and answer questions from fellow students at such a meaningful event. The campus looked beautiful, and conducting the event outdoors added an exciting element. Another event with UBS, held during my student years, also comes to mind as it , too, was a significant part of my time at the university.

#Life as a Content Creator
3. Before the high demand for YouTube, what prompted you to start the ‘Kimdax’ YouTube Channel?
My long-standing dream was to be a “global content creator representing Korea.” A crucial attitude in my life has always been, “If you decide to achieve something, you must work hard and put in a lot of effort.” With the ambitious dream of being a global content creator, I felt a sense of duty to create numerous videos and practice diligently. Wanting to showcase my videos to people, I believed that uploading them on YouTube would allow me to share them with a worldwide audience and receive valuable feedback to improve my skills. That’s why I started uploading videos on YouTube in 2013.

4. Is there a special reason for the name ‘Kimdax’?
Since my name is Kim Daeun, my friends used to call me “Kimda” as a nickname. As I engaged in various activities, I wanted to give a name to the many things I do, much like a brand. So, by adding an apostrophe and "s" to Kimda, it became "Kimda's," and by turning it into a noun with a lovely letter shape, the name "Kimdax" emerged. Therefore, regardless of what I add after Kimdax, it becomes a unified brand. It aligns very well with the various activities I have been doing and will continue to do in the future. I am satisfied with it as a nickname for my activities.

5. You've been running your YouTube channel for almost 10 years, from your university days in 2013 until now. Maintaining such consistency in operating a YouTube channel for an extended period is challenging. What is the key to this consistency?
The key to my consistency, I believe, lies in the love for what I do. I think there are various forms of love, including love for work and love for a particular goal. Having that mindset allowed me to immerse myself in the work continuously over the long span of 10 years. Another crucial factor is undoubtedly the support from my subscribers. Creating content is a labor of love in itself, but without the audience cheering me on, watching my content, I often wonder if I could have sustained this for so long.

6. We feel that you have the love for movies. What was the reason behind choosing Communication Studies instead of filmmaking?
Regarding choosing Communication Studies at Chung-Ang University: I actually initially considered studying film due to my passion for it. However, my desire to study comprehensively and delve into societal aspects led me to choose a university that offered opportunities to study both filmmaking and social sciences. Chung-Ang University's emphasis on practical aspects also influenced my decision.

7. You have various professions - a YouTuber, film director, and writer. I'm curious to know what charms you find in each of these roles based on your experiences.
First of all, when working on YouTube, I can definitely feel the joy of interacting with people more. There's a sense of freedom in communicating with more people through content and the freedom to create content more liberally, making it quite charming for me. Moreover, it's not just that viewers see me as a creator, but they also tend to think of me as a more approachable friend, which is a fun aspect. 
The allure of filmmaking lies in the ability to transform the stories I write into visual narratives and provide the audience with a very immersive experience. It's fascinating to take the stories I want to convey, create narratives around them, and then slowly or quickly convey those narratives to people through videos. 
As for being a writer, I am also an author who writes books and creates illustrations. Writing allows for more detailed descriptions, a static atmosphere, and the transmission of my deep thoughts through text. On the other hand, illustrations capture my static thoughts and abstract elements, encapsulating them within a single frame, which is also quite charming.

8. What were the challenges of when operating the 'Kimdax Studio'?
Running a company involves profit-making considerations, which sometimes conflict with my previous approach to content creation. Balancing these conflicting aspects initially proved to be challenging, as I had not previously directly dealt with profit calculations. Finding a balance between artistic expression and business considerations presentes difficulties.

9. You published a book titled 'The University Life Guide of Kimdax,' targeting individuals in their 20s. What motivated you to decide to share your experiences during your university years through a book? What are the key aspects you aimed to highlight in the book, and the reasons behind your emphasis on those particular aspects?
When planning the book, I received numerous proposals from the publishing house, mainly focused on essay-related content or books related to YouTube, as they were trending successfully. However, I had a desire to provide more specific and targeted assistance rather than opting for an essay format. That's when the idea of creating a guidebook for university life emerged, where I could share my experiences and practical tips in a clear and concise manner. I believed that such a book could offer realistic help to my friends. The content of the book ranges from essay-like anecdotes to practical advice on planning for university entrance, tips for team projects, and various aspects of university life, including mindset and financial considerations. This book was crafted with the intention of benefiting readers in their early twenties, leveraging my experiences to guide them without the need for their own trial and error. 

10. You have expressed a deep appreciation for cultural content such as beauty content, filmmaking, and exhibitions. How have you experienced the impact of video-based cultural content in contemporary society and what significance does it hold for you?
I can answer in two aspects, a personal one and a public one. If I were to share one of the recent experiences, I am currently preparing for my 10th-anniversary event, and I've documented the preparation process in a vlog. People who watched the video and then had a meeting with me expressed a surprising level of empathy and engagement with my passion, even though we didn't have a prior close relationship. This made me realize the significant impact that a video can have. Additionally, when expanding my content on YouTube to more extensive topics, such as creating content like "Kimdax's Garden" with a positive societal impact or attempting to change societal perceptions, there have been actual situations where I experienced the impact of those changes. Many people show interest, participate actively, or voice their opinions on certain issues after watching a video, making me truly appreciate the positive power that videos can carry. However, it's crucial to consider the dual nature of this influence, as negative effects can also emerge.

11. Through the “Kimdax Garden” category on YouTube, you engage in charitable activities such as donating sanitary pads. And you seem to be changing the rigid perceptions associated with donations. What do you believe sets the uniqueness of 'Kimdax Garden'?
The "Kimdax's Garden" doesn't have a distinctive feature, as currently, many non-profit organizations and similar entities operate YouTube channels. However, back when I started this, in around 2017 or 2018, during the initial rise of YouTube, it was more focused on genre-specific content rather than socially impactful ones. So, creating corners like this, developing series, and diversifying content were somewhat unique aspects. The motivation behind creating such content was also driven by the desire for viewers to encounter issues like charity and social problems on a familiar platform like YouTube. While YouTube is now widely used for consuming news and various types of content, in the past, it had a more entertaining and personal feel. During that period, if a favorite creator discussed social issues in a non-intimidating way, it was likely that people would accept, think, empathize, and even take action together. So, the planning of the "Kimdax's Garden" category was influenced by these considerations.

12. You entered the Department of Journalism and Broadcasting at Chung-Ang University (currently the Department of Media Communication) through the rolling admission. I'm curious to know if you had an interest in media or content since high school.
Firstly, when I was quite young, I had a dream of creating animations because I was very interested in animation itself. However, around high school, my interest naturally shifted towards video production. Looking back, transitioning my dream towards video required a certain conviction. To validate that conviction, one of the best ways was to receive external feedback. So, I started submitting my work to various contests, receiving both awards and setbacks.
Among these experiences, there was an international contest where representatives from each country were selected, and the winning content was broadcast in 13 Asian countries. I submitted my work to this contest and was selected as the representative for South Korea. This opportunity allowed my content to be more widely broadcast, and during the process I had the chance to meet a director who served as a judge. Through the mentorship and discussions with them during this period, I learned about the importance of messaging in content and how crucial it is. This experience played a pivotal role in giving me the confidence I needed for my dream. So, summarizing these experiences, I believe they played a crucial role in my ability to apply for admission through a rolling admissions process.

13. I'm curious about the criteria you use to select themes for various programs conducted under the name of Kimdax Studio, such as the exhibition 'Youth Page.' What factors guide your selection of diverse program themes?
I feel like it is the 'message.' When contemplating how to effectively convey my message, for instance, through a Disney-themed web movie and the 'Youth Page' exhibition, I work hard to communicate the messages 'I will help you find the fairy tale lost in your life' and 'Your life can also be a work of art.' The backdrop for these messages stems from stories shared during offline events with subscribers, along with questions about low self-esteem and difficulties for which one doesn't know the solution. Through such experiences, the realization that anyone's life can become a piece of art strengthened, leading to the exhibition idea derived from the keyword 'art.' 'Youth Page' involves artists from different age groups creating works through their stories, aiming to induce empathy and connection with the audience, conveying the crucial message that one's life can also be a work of art through various curated projects.

#Ending the Inverview

14. I'm curious about the goals you wish to achieve in 2024.
2024 feels like a particularly special year for me. This is because I've planned a significant year-end event to commemorate my 10th anniversary as a content creator, and I anticipate that the outcomes and new opportunities stemming from this will unfold in 2024. Additionally, though I can't go into specifics, I plan to venture into areas I haven't explored before. With my upcoming graduation from graduate school, I see 2024 as a year marked by numerous new beginnings. Therefore, my goal for 2024 is to create a stable foundation for the next steps in these aspects and to navigate the transitions smoothly.

15. Lastly, could you share a few words of encouragement for Chung-Ang University students who are diligently running towards their dreams?
'Whatever you want’. Those words are part of the Kimdax Diary and are also the signature phrase for Kimdax Studio. It's also a phrase I just really love. I hope that people who dream will always believe that they can achieve anything they truly desire. Having such a mindset opens the door to countless possibilities, and those who carry this belief tend to shine brightly. I believe that this radiance can attract others and serve as a force that accelerates the realization of one's dreams. I hope all students keep this phrase close to your heart, as it embodies the idea that dreaming individuals can indeed achieve whatever they set their minds to.

Through the interview, CAH could see her deep passion and understanding for various forms of content. As someone who truly grasps the power of cultural propagation inherent in content, she is using it in a positive manner, indeed embodying the concept of 'positive influence.' CAH hopes that students at Chung-Ang University can learn from her attitude of having a deep passion and love for her field of interest and utilizing it wisely through constant efforts and research.