I’d like to begin by telling you a story January 12 2010 was my 22nd birthday it
January 12 2010 was my 22nd birthday it
January 12 2010 was my 22nd birthday it was also the day that changed my life
was also the day that changed my life
was also the day that changed my life forever you see that morning I woke up
forever you see that morning I woke up
forever you see that morning I woke up the dozens of texts saying happy
the dozens of texts saying happy
the dozens of texts saying happy birthday
birthday
birthday you’re the best I love you mostly from
you’re the best I love you mostly from
you’re the best I love you mostly from my mom but I woke up feeling incredibly
my mom but I woke up feeling incredibly
my mom but I woke up feeling incredibly lucky that day
lucky that day
lucky that day unfortunately that for noon we started
unfortunately that for noon we started
unfortunately that for noon we started seeing devastating photos of the Haiti
seeing devastating photos of the Haiti
seeing devastating photos of the Haiti earthquake we saw an entire country that
earthquake we saw an entire country that
earthquake we saw an entire country that was in shambles and Families broken and
was in shambles and Families broken and
was in shambles and Families broken and I really struck me because it didn’t
I really struck me because it didn’t
I really struck me because it didn’t feel like a coincidence how was it that
feel like a coincidence how was it that
feel like a coincidence how was it that I was so lucky to be able to have so
I was so lucky to be able to have so
I was so lucky to be able to have so many people that I loved but meanwhile I
many people that I loved but meanwhile I
many people that I loved but meanwhile I was seeing such terrible heartache and
was seeing such terrible heartache and
was seeing such terrible heartache and hardship so at the time I had very
hardship so at the time I had very
hardship so at the time I had very little money in my bank account as a new
little money in my bank account as a new
little money in my bank account as a new college graduate but I had this belief
college graduate but I had this belief
college graduate but I had this belief that ordinary people can do
that ordinary people can do
that ordinary people can do extraordinary things so like I need
extraordinary things so like I need
extraordinary things so like I need reasonable logical person I decided to
reasonable logical person I decided to
reasonable logical person I decided to grab my guitar and several my friends
grab my guitar and several my friends
grab my guitar and several my friends and go to a New York subway stop to sing
and go to a New York subway stop to sing
and go to a New York subway stop to sing and busk to raise a hundred dollars for
and busk to raise a hundred dollars for
and busk to raise a hundred dollars for Haiti now if you ever heard me sing you
Haiti now if you ever heard me sing you
Haiti now if you ever heard me sing you know this is a terrible idea because I’m
know this is a terrible idea because I’m
know this is a terrible idea because I’m the worst singer imagine a cat that is
the worst singer imagine a cat that is
the worst singer imagine a cat that is drowning singing a doll that’s better
drowning singing a doll that’s better
drowning singing a doll that’s better than me it’s true but the people of New
than me it’s true but the people of New
than me it’s true but the people of New York are incredibly kind to me
York are incredibly kind to me
York are incredibly kind to me very generous we raised about $80 and
very generous we raised about $80 and
very generous we raised about $80 and all throughout I was filming and I
all throughout I was filming and I
all throughout I was filming and I decide you know what let me take a
decide you know what let me take a
decide you know what let me take a little quick video about it and I put it
little quick video about it and I put it
little quick video about it and I put it online and sent to all my friends and
online and sent to all my friends and
online and sent to all my friends and said hey if you that a couple of bucks
said hey if you that a couple of bucks
said hey if you that a couple of bucks would love for you to donate we’re just
would love for you to donate we’re just
would love for you to donate we’re just trying to raise a hundred dollars for
trying to raise a hundred dollars for
trying to raise a hundred dollars for Haiti within a week something really
Haiti within a week something really
Haiti within a week something really special happened we had 8,000 views that
special happened we had 8,000 views that
special happened we had 8,000 views that video within a week we had raised $700
video within a week we had raised $700
video within a week we had raised $700 for Haiti so of course I call my mom so
for Haiti so of course I call my mom so
for Haiti so of course I call my mom so a mom I guess what we have 8,000 viewers
a mom I guess what we have 8,000 viewers
a mom I guess what we have 8,000 viewers I know I watched it four thousand times
so okay we’ve got 4,000 views okay good
so okay we’ve got 4,000 views okay good job
job
job but all joking aside that was a time
but all joking aside that was a time
but all joking aside that was a time that I realized that stories and media
that I realized that stories and media
that I realized that stories and media and film are such a powerful mean to do
and film are such a powerful mean to do
and film are such a powerful mean to do good my name is Jason Wiley and I am the
good my name is Jason Wiley and I am the
good my name is Jason Wiley and I am the founder of jublee media today and I am
founder of jublee media today and I am
founder of jublee media today and I am so honored to be with you tonight to
so honored to be with you tonight to
so honored to be with you tonight to share with you my story to talk about my
share with you my story to talk about my
share with you my story to talk about my story and how stories can change the
story and how stories can change the
story and how stories can change the world and as a filmmaker I’ve seen that
world and as a filmmaker I’ve seen that
world and as a filmmaker I’ve seen that firsthand
firsthand
firsthand but the truth is it’s pretty unlikely
but the truth is it’s pretty unlikely
but the truth is it’s pretty unlikely for me to be here right now sharing with
for me to be here right now sharing with
for me to be here right now sharing with you about being a filmmaker because this
you about being a filmmaker because this
you about being a filmmaker because this wasn’t a very likely path for me you see
wasn’t a very likely path for me you see
wasn’t a very likely path for me you see I grew up as the younger child of two
I grew up as the younger child of two
I grew up as the younger child of two Korean immigrants that’s me
Korean immigrants that’s me
Korean immigrants that’s me the little one that’s my brother with
the little one that’s my brother with
the little one that’s my brother with his hand and both of my parents are not
his hand and both of my parents are not
his hand and both of my parents are not only Korean but there are also
only Korean but there are also
only Korean but there are also professors so as you can imagine school
professors so as you can imagine school
professors so as you can imagine school is very very important at a household so
is very very important at a household so
is very very important at a household so you know imagine your favorite memories
you know imagine your favorite memories
you know imagine your favorite memories as a child going at Disneyland or going
as a child going at Disneyland or going
as a child going at Disneyland or going to the ball game with your dad my
to the ball game with your dad my
to the ball game with your dad my favorite memory growing up was going to
favorite memory growing up was going to
favorite memory growing up was going to my first day of kindergarten I remember
my first day of kindergarten I remember
my first day of kindergarten I remember like getting mousse in my hair and I
like getting mousse in my hair and I
like getting mousse in my hair and I dressed stuff really nice and I was so
dressed stuff really nice and I was so
dressed stuff really nice and I was so eager because I had picked out my
eager because I had picked out my
eager because I had picked out my backpack those Ninja Turtles I had my
backpack those Ninja Turtles I had my
backpack those Ninja Turtles I had my little you know my little lunchbox I ran
little you know my little lunchbox I ran
little you know my little lunchbox I ran to school because I had been told that
to school because I had been told that
to school because I had been told that when you go to school you learn and when
when you go to school you learn and when
when you go to school you learn and when you learn you can grow and you can be
you learn you can grow and you can be
you learn you can grow and you can be anything that you wanted when you learn
anything that you wanted when you learn
anything that you wanted when you learn how beautiful is that right my
how beautiful is that right my
how beautiful is that right my kindergarten teacher mrs. price she was
kindergarten teacher mrs. price she was
kindergarten teacher mrs. price she was the sweetest lady imagine mr. Roger’s
the sweetest lady imagine mr. Roger’s
the sweetest lady imagine mr. Roger’s wife almost and that day she told us
wife almost and that day she told us
wife almost and that day she told us about about school and about taking
about about school and about taking
about about school and about taking turns because I was like too overeager
turns because I was like too overeager
turns because I was like too overeager kids like hey she goes Jason that’s
kids like hey she goes Jason that’s
kids like hey she goes Jason that’s great but you have to wait your turn is
great but you have to wait your turn is
great but you have to wait your turn is that when this is what it means to raise
that when this is what it means to raise
that when this is what it means to raise your hand so I was practicing something
your hand so I was practicing something
your hand so I was practicing something listed quite a bit and I still
listed quite a bit and I still
listed quite a bit and I still distinctly remember the very first day
distinctly remember the very first day
distinctly remember the very first day of school she said this is what your
of school she said this is what your
of school she said this is what your homework is for today I want you to go
homework is for today I want you to go
homework is for today I want you to go home and think about what it is you want
home and think about what it is you want
home and think about what it is you want to be when you grow up and I said ooh I
to be when you grow up and I said ooh I
to be when you grow up and I said ooh I know if she goes well Jess and homework
know if she goes well Jess and homework
know if she goes well Jess and homework is what you do at home I said
is what you do at home I said
is what you do at home I said homework is the worst thing ever and the
homework is the worst thing ever and the
homework is the worst thing ever and the reason is because I knew deep down in my
reason is because I knew deep down in my
reason is because I knew deep down in my gut already what I wanted to be right
gut already what I wanted to be right
gut already what I wanted to be right you know you’ve got all these dreams are
you know you’ve got all these dreams are
you know you’ve got all these dreams are in growing up I knew exactly what I
in growing up I knew exactly what I
in growing up I knew exactly what I wanted to be so I ran home I remember I
wanted to be so I ran home I remember I
wanted to be so I ran home I remember I couldn’t sleep is I was so excited to
couldn’t sleep is I was so excited to
couldn’t sleep is I was so excited to share with mrs. price and all my new
share with mrs. price and all my new
share with mrs. price and all my new friends what I wanted to be when I grow
friends what I wanted to be when I grow
friends what I wanted to be when I grow up so I ran back to school the next day
up so I ran back to school the next day
up so I ran back to school the next day and like maybe me me she was just want
and like maybe me me she was just want
and like maybe me me she was just want to go run in a circle and I said okay
to go run in a circle and I said okay
to go run in a circle and I said okay starting to figure out this like social
starting to figure out this like social
starting to figure out this like social etu thing it’s so Brian saying you know
etu thing it’s so Brian saying you know
etu thing it’s so Brian saying you know when I grow up I want to be an astronaut
when I grow up I want to be an astronaut
when I grow up I want to be an astronaut like no one cares and then you know
like no one cares and then you know
like no one cares and then you know Sally is like oh when I grow up only to
Sally is like oh when I grow up only to
Sally is like oh when I grow up only to be a ballerinas like okay
be a ballerinas like okay
be a ballerinas like okay and finally it’s my turn right and this
and finally it’s my turn right and this
and finally it’s my turn right and this is price said thank you Jason for
is price said thank you Jason for
is price said thank you Jason for waiting patiently and I had my hand up
waiting patiently and I had my hand up
waiting patiently and I had my hand up she was know you can you don’t have to
she was know you can you don’t have to
she was know you can you don’t have to put your hand up now and this is your
put your hand up now and this is your
put your hand up now and this is your turn I said well when I grow up there
turn I said well when I grow up there
turn I said well when I grow up there are two things I really want to be when
are two things I really want to be when
are two things I really want to be when I grow up she says awesome you can be
I grow up she says awesome you can be
I grow up she says awesome you can be whatever it is that you want I said okay
whatever it is that you want I said okay
whatever it is that you want I said okay she goes okay why don’t you share with
she goes okay why don’t you share with
she goes okay why don’t you share with us the first thing I’m well I said I’ve
us the first thing I’m well I said I’ve
us the first thing I’m well I said I’ve been thinking about for a really long
been thinking about for a really long
been thinking about for a really long time and I was really trying to decide
time and I was really trying to decide
time and I was really trying to decide between these two but I think this is
between these two but I think this is
between these two but I think this is the thing I really really want to be
the thing I really really want to be
the thing I really really want to be which is okay Jason what is it that
which is okay Jason what is it that
which is okay Jason what is it that you’d like to be when you go and say
you’d like to be when you go and say
you’d like to be when you go and say well when I grow up I want to be a
well when I grow up I want to be a
well when I grow up I want to be a dinosaur
and she looked at me and she said okay
and she looked at me and she said okay and I said you said I could do whatever
and I said you said I could do whatever
and I said you said I could do whatever I want she goes yeah but maybe it’s good
I want she goes yeah but maybe it’s good
I want she goes yeah but maybe it’s good to have a back-up plan I was like yeah
to have a back-up plan I was like yeah
to have a back-up plan I was like yeah you’re right okay that’s sensible
you’re right okay that’s sensible
you’re right okay that’s sensible she said Jason what’s the second thing
she said Jason what’s the second thing
she said Jason what’s the second thing you’d like to be when you grow up I said
you’d like to be when you grow up I said
you’d like to be when you grow up I said well when I grow up if I can’t be at a
well when I grow up if I can’t be at a
well when I grow up if I can’t be at a dinosaur for whatever reason I want to
dinosaur for whatever reason I want to
dinosaur for whatever reason I want to be a policeman and she said oh that’s so
be a policeman and she said oh that’s so
be a policeman and she said oh that’s so wonderful why do you want to be a
wonderful why do you want to be a
wonderful why do you want to be a policeman and I said well when I grow up
policeman and I said well when I grow up
policeman and I said well when I grow up I want to fight bad guys I want to fight
I want to fight bad guys I want to fight
I want to fight bad guys I want to fight for justice I’m gonna help other people
for justice I’m gonna help other people
for justice I’m gonna help other people I just said that’s so wonderful yes and
I just said that’s so wonderful yes and
I just said that’s so wonderful yes and what a noble profession and I was so
what a noble profession and I was so
what a noble profession and I was so proud right that day our activity at
proud right that day our activity at
proud right that day our activity at school was we were all supposed to draw
school was we were all supposed to draw
school was we were all supposed to draw what it is we wanted to be when I grew
what it is we wanted to be when I grew
what it is we wanted to be when I grew up so Brian is drawing this huge
up so Brian is drawing this huge
up so Brian is drawing this huge astronaut you know like him in the moon
astronaut you know like him in the moon
astronaut you know like him in the moon and that Sally is drawing herself as a
and that Sally is drawing herself as a
and that Sally is drawing herself as a blur of ballerina and of course I’m
blur of ballerina and of course I’m
blur of ballerina and of course I’m drawing myself as a huge dinosaur with a
drawing myself as a huge dinosaur with a
drawing myself as a huge dinosaur with a little gun and a little bad
yeah a boy can dream right I was like
yeah a boy can dream right I was like this is so amazing I can be whatever I
this is so amazing I can be whatever I
this is so amazing I can be whatever I want when I grow up and she said all
want when I grow up and she said all
want when I grow up and she said all right now go home and you know we’re all
right now go home and you know we’re all
right now go home and you know we’re all rushing home and I I roll up my piece of
rushing home and I I roll up my piece of
rushing home and I I roll up my piece of paper I run home and we’re having dinner
paper I run home and we’re having dinner
paper I run home and we’re having dinner and my dad likes I mean says Jason how’s
and my dad likes I mean says Jason how’s
and my dad likes I mean says Jason how’s school so good he said what did you
school so good he said what did you
school so good he said what did you learn and I said I think I know what I
learn and I said I think I know what I
learn and I said I think I know what I want to be when I grow up and by then I
want to be when I grow up and by then I
want to be when I grow up and by then I think I had realized okay it’s not
think I had realized okay it’s not
think I had realized okay it’s not really kosher to say that you want to be
really kosher to say that you want to be
really kosher to say that you want to be a dinosaur I’d like kind of realized
a dinosaur I’d like kind of realized
a dinosaur I’d like kind of realized that he said okay what is it that you
that he said okay what is it that you
that he said okay what is it that you want to be and I said well when I grow
want to be and I said well when I grow
want to be and I said well when I grow up I want to be a policeman and there
up I want to be a policeman and there
up I want to be a policeman and there was silence right there’s almost as
was silence right there’s almost as
was silence right there’s almost as though I had said I wanted to be a
though I had said I wanted to be a
though I had said I wanted to be a dinosaur when I grew up and there was
dinosaur when I grew up and there was
dinosaur when I grew up and there was silence and my dad he took a spoon I
silence and my dad he took a spoon I
silence and my dad he took a spoon I remember so vividly he set it down he
remember so vividly he set it down he
remember so vividly he set it down he looked at me said Jason you know I love
looked at me said Jason you know I love
looked at me said Jason you know I love you when you grow up you’re not gonna be
you when you grow up you’re not gonna be
you when you grow up you’re not gonna be a policeman and I said why not he said I
a policeman and I said why not he said I
a policeman and I said why not he said I want you to have a good career I want
want you to have a good career I want
want you to have a good career I want you to have a respectable career where
you to have a respectable career where
you to have a respectable career where you make a lot of money and you’re very
you make a lot of money and you’re very
you make a lot of money and you’re very secure so that you can take care of your
secure so that you can take care of your
secure so that you can take care of your family
family
family right and I don’t think my dad’s
right and I don’t think my dad’s
right and I don’t think my dad’s intention that day was to crush my
intention that day was to crush my
intention that day was to crush my dreams but it was so weird to hear him
dreams but it was so weird to hear him
dreams but it was so weird to hear him say that because all of this time I’d
say that because all of this time I’d
say that because all of this time I’d said I’d heard over and over and over
said I’d heard over and over and over
said I’d heard over and over and over again you can be whatever you want when
again you can be whatever you want when
again you can be whatever you want when you grow up but here was my hero my
you grow up but here was my hero my
you grow up but here was my hero my father who I loved dearly and he was
father who I loved dearly and he was
father who I loved dearly and he was saying no you can’t and it wasn’t at
saying no you can’t and it wasn’t at
saying no you can’t and it wasn’t at that moment but I think it was in a
that moment but I think it was in a
that moment but I think it was in a couple years
couple years
couple years during that time when I started to
during that time when I started to
during that time when I started to realize actually there are a couple of
realize actually there are a couple of
realize actually there are a couple of things that I could be when I grew up
things that I could be when I grew up
things that I could be when I grew up there were four things I could be when I
there were four things I could be when I
there were four things I could be when I grow up can you imagine what those were
grow up can you imagine what those were
grow up can you imagine what those were I could be a doctor I could be a lawyer
I could be a doctor I could be a lawyer
I could be a doctor I could be a lawyer I could be an engineer or I could be a
I could be an engineer or I could be a
I could be an engineer or I could be a businessman right and it wasn’t that
businessman right and it wasn’t that
businessman right and it wasn’t that someone has sat me down and said Jason
someone has sat me down and said Jason
someone has sat me down and said Jason there’s only four things are respectable
there’s only four things are respectable
there’s only four things are respectable and well earning no it wasn’t like that
and well earning no it wasn’t like that
and well earning no it wasn’t like that of society had told me no no no no these
of society had told me no no no no these
of society had told me no no no no these things are too risky these things are
things are too risky these things are
things are too risky these things are too difficult these things you
too difficult these things you
too difficult these things you be a poor starving artists or a poor
be a poor starving artists or a poor
be a poor starving artists or a poor starving ballet person or someone who
starving ballet person or someone who
starving ballet person or someone who wants to be on that on the moon these
wants to be on that on the moon these
wants to be on that on the moon these are the things that you should do so I
are the things that you should do so I
are the things that you should do so I started saying okay I can do that and at
started saying okay I can do that and at
started saying okay I can do that and at some point I began to realize this was a
some point I began to realize this was a
some point I began to realize this was a secret to success according to my
secret to success according to my
secret to success according to my parents according to the world the
parents according to the world the
parents according to the world the secret source was this man I’ll let you
secret source was this man I’ll let you
secret source was this man I’ll let you in on the secret
in on the secret
in on the secret it was do really well in school get into
it was do really well in school get into
it was do really well in school get into a really really good college preferably
a really really good college preferably
a really really good college preferably an Ivy League school preferably
an Ivy League school preferably
an Ivy League school preferably harbouring get a good job make a lot of
harbouring get a good job make a lot of
harbouring get a good job make a lot of money marry a beautiful girl or boy I
money marry a beautiful girl or boy I
money marry a beautiful girl or boy I have a family retire then you will be
have a family retire then you will be
have a family retire then you will be happy right knowing that we’ve never
happy right knowing that we’ve never
happy right knowing that we’ve never heard that being said but you know that
heard that being said but you know that
heard that being said but you know that that is the message that we’ve heard
that is the message that we’ve heard
that is the message that we’ve heard right does that resonate so I said okay
right does that resonate so I said okay
right does that resonate so I said okay I can do that that sounds pretty simple
I can do that that sounds pretty simple
I can do that that sounds pretty simple simple simple but I think that’s very
simple simple but I think that’s very
simple simple but I think that’s very clear to me I’m very type A so there
clear to me I’m very type A so there
clear to me I’m very type A so there okay so I went to school of thinking you
okay so I went to school of thinking you
okay so I went to school of thinking you know what okay I just need to get into a
know what okay I just need to get into a
know what okay I just need to get into a good school Ivy League school what are
good school Ivy League school what are
good school Ivy League school what are these schools so I became the kid that
these schools so I became the kid that
these schools so I became the kid that was so dedicated so focused on getting
was so dedicated so focused on getting
was so dedicated so focused on getting into an eye everything school at all
into an eye everything school at all
into an eye everything school at all costs so I was a kid walking around my
costs so I was a kid walking around my
costs so I was a kid walking around my freshman year with like I say keywords
freshman year with like I say keywords
freshman year with like I say keywords super nerdy I was a kid who was like
super nerdy I was a kid who was like
super nerdy I was a kid who was like getting all A’s in class sitting in the
getting all A’s in class sitting in the
getting all A’s in class sitting in the front not knowing when to put his hand
front not knowing when to put his hand
front not knowing when to put his hand down still and I could spit in every
down still and I could spit in every
down still and I could spit in every activity right I was part of the math
activity right I was part of the math
activity right I was part of the math club I was part of the science club I
club I was part of the science club I
club I was part of the science club I was the editor of my newspaper I joined
was the editor of my newspaper I joined
was the editor of my newspaper I joined the swim team because a swim team was
the swim team because a swim team was
the swim team because a swim team was the only team that wouldn’t cut anyone
the only team that wouldn’t cut anyone
the only team that wouldn’t cut anyone and they just let me swim in the last
and they just let me swim in the last
and they just let me swim in the last lap by myself
lap by myself
lap by myself really slowly I was part of the Chess
really slowly I was part of the Chess
really slowly I was part of the Chess Club I was a captain of the chess club I
Club I was a captain of the chess club I
Club I was a captain of the chess club I was also the only member of the Chess
was also the only member of the Chess
was also the only member of the Chess Club which at times can be really
Club which at times can be really
Club which at times can be really difficult but I was singularly focused
difficult but I was singularly focused
difficult but I was singularly focused on this idea that if I study hard if I
on this idea that if I study hard if I
on this idea that if I study hard if I apply myself I can get into a good
apply myself I can get into a good
apply myself I can get into a good school right and lo and behold senior
school right and lo and behold senior
school right and lo and behold senior year wraps around I committed myself
year wraps around I committed myself
year wraps around I committed myself that got into the University of
that got into the University of
that got into the University of Pennsylvania an Ivy League school and
Pennsylvania an Ivy League school and
Pennsylvania an Ivy League school and the day that that letter came in I was
the day that that letter came in I was
the day that that letter came in I was ecstatic and that you should have seen
ecstatic and that you should have seen
ecstatic and that you should have seen me on the first day of school I
me on the first day of school I
me on the first day of school I literally it probably would have looked
literally it probably would have looked
literally it probably would have looked like I thought I was going to Hogwarts
like I thought I was going to Hogwarts
like I thought I was going to Hogwarts or something but it felt like this place
or something but it felt like this place
or something but it felt like this place was magic and the very first day
was magic and the very first day
was magic and the very first day literally this is a photo of the campus
literally this is a photo of the campus
literally this is a photo of the campus I remember sitting in the grass just
I remember sitting in the grass just
I remember sitting in the grass just because I had seen so many photos of
because I had seen so many photos of
because I had seen so many photos of kids sitting in the grass I was like oh
kids sitting in the grass I was like oh
kids sitting in the grass I was like oh this is what smart kids do at school and
this is what smart kids do at school and
this is what smart kids do at school and I was so happy right I was like I have
I was so happy right I was like I have
I was so happy right I was like I have worked 17 years of my life to get to
worked 17 years of my life to get to
worked 17 years of my life to get to this moment and finally have done it and
this moment and finally have done it and
this moment and finally have done it and then the first exams came and then you
then the first exams came and then you
then the first exams came and then you know first semester is over and second
know first semester is over and second
know first semester is over and second semester is over and slowly something
semester is over and slowly something
semester is over and slowly something really interesting that started to
really interesting that started to
really interesting that started to happen I started to look around and
happen I started to look around and
happen I started to look around and started thinking to myself wait a second
started thinking to myself wait a second
started thinking to myself wait a second this is it don’t get me wrong
this is it don’t get me wrong
this is it don’t get me wrong Penn was an amazing experience that
Penn was an amazing experience that
Penn was an amazing experience that amazing college but I had this moment
amazing college but I had this moment
amazing college but I had this moment where I was sitting around thinking wait
where I was sitting around thinking wait
where I was sitting around thinking wait this is everything that I was working
this is everything that I was working
this is everything that I was working for and this is it have you ever had
for and this is it have you ever had
for and this is it have you ever had that moment when you feel you’re not
that moment when you feel you’re not
that moment when you feel you’re not unhappy but you’re not happy right and
unhappy but you’re not happy right and
unhappy but you’re not happy right and so why am I not happy I was told if I go
so why am I not happy I was told if I go
so why am I not happy I was told if I go to this quit school I’ll be happy I said
to this quit school I’ll be happy I said
to this quit school I’ll be happy I said oh I know why it’s because I don’t have
oh I know why it’s because I don’t have
oh I know why it’s because I don’t have that good job yet right I said okay I’ve
that good job yet right I said okay I’ve
that good job yet right I said okay I’ve got to go to that next step on that
got to go to that next step on that
got to go to that next step on that ladder so the next four years same thing
ladder so the next four years same thing
ladder so the next four years same thing I joined this swing dance club I I you
I joined this swing dance club I I you
I joined this swing dance club I I you know I joined student government I was
know I joined student government I was
know I joined student government I was like one of the representatives for our
like one of the representatives for our
like one of the representatives for our class I graduated with honors and at
class I graduated with honors and at
class I graduated with honors and at that time everyone who graduated for
that time everyone who graduated for
that time everyone who graduated for more in
more in
more in which is a business clothes going to
which is a business clothes going to
which is a business clothes going to once either it be investment banker or a
once either it be investment banker or a
once either it be investment banker or a management consultant I was like yeah
management consultant I was like yeah
management consultant I was like yeah management consultant that’s what I want
management consultant that’s what I want
management consultant that’s what I want to be when I grow up no one had any idea
to be when I grow up no one had any idea
to be when I grow up no one had any idea what those things were but we were like
what those things were but we were like
what those things were but we were like that’s all we want to be so I tried so
that’s all we want to be so I tried so
that’s all we want to be so I tried so hard running around in a business suit
hard running around in a business suit
hard running around in a business suit doing all these interviews and lo and
doing all these interviews and lo and
doing all these interviews and lo and behold those four years of work paid off
behold those four years of work paid off
behold those four years of work paid off and I got accepted to my dream job at
and I got accepted to my dream job at
and I got accepted to my dream job at Bain & Company which is this incredible
Bain & Company which is this incredible
Bain & Company which is this incredible place right and I said my god this is
place right and I said my god this is
place right and I said my god this is amazing and the first day again it was
amazing and the first day again it was
amazing and the first day again it was like Hogwarts but on steroids there’s a
like Hogwarts but on steroids there’s a
like Hogwarts but on steroids there’s a smell of like fresh paper and ink and I
smell of like fresh paper and ink and I
smell of like fresh paper and ink and I remember someone was okay Jason do you
remember someone was okay Jason do you
remember someone was okay Jason do you mind stapling this for me like yeah
mind stapling this for me like yeah
mind stapling this for me like yeah absolutely and I was running around like
absolutely and I was running around like
absolutely and I was running around like who else needs me to staple for them
who else needs me to staple for them
who else needs me to staple for them right and those because I was so eager I
right and those because I was so eager I
right and those because I was so eager I was so happy and then the same thing
was so happy and then the same thing
was so happy and then the same thing happened I got my next case my next case
happened I got my next case my next case
happened I got my next case my next case and it was an incredible place to learn
and it was an incredible place to learn
and it was an incredible place to learn and grow but I’ve been told once I make
and grow but I’ve been told once I make
and grow but I’ve been told once I make a lot of money which I was I would be
a lot of money which I was I would be
a lot of money which I was I would be happy and again it wasn’t that I was
happy and again it wasn’t that I was
happy and again it wasn’t that I was unhappy but I wasn’t quite happy right
unhappy but I wasn’t quite happy right
unhappy but I wasn’t quite happy right that’s what I started looking around and
that’s what I started looking around and
that’s what I started looking around and started saying wait a second what are
started saying wait a second what are
started saying wait a second what are all these things that I’ve been told
all these things that I’ve been told
all these things that I’ve been told growing up and some reason they don’t
growing up and some reason they don’t
growing up and some reason they don’t seem to be true it was right around that
seem to be true it was right around that
seem to be true it was right around that time that I turned 22 and the Haiti
time that I turned 22 and the Haiti
time that I turned 22 and the Haiti earthquake happened to coincide with my
earthquake happened to coincide with my
earthquake happened to coincide with my 22nd birthday and during that time of
22nd birthday and during that time of
22nd birthday and during that time of searching I said you know what I need to
searching I said you know what I need to
searching I said you know what I need to do something so that’s what I went to
do something so that’s what I went to
do something so that’s what I went to New York subway stuff we made this video
New York subway stuff we made this video
New York subway stuff we made this video and it started getting shared widely so
and it started getting shared widely so
and it started getting shared widely so soon after I said you know what just on
soon after I said you know what just on
soon after I said you know what just on the side just for fun I’m gonna start
the side just for fun I’m gonna start
the side just for fun I’m gonna start making videos and putting on to youtube
making videos and putting on to youtube
making videos and putting on to youtube let’s see what happens so I started
let’s see what happens so I started
let’s see what happens so I started making videos and slowly they got more
making videos and slowly they got more
making videos and slowly they got more and more traction
and more traction
and more traction videos went from thousands of views to
videos went from thousands of views to
videos went from thousands of views to tens of thousands of views eventually I
tens of thousands of views eventually I
tens of thousands of views eventually I convinced my older brother Eddie who you
convinced my older brother Eddie who you
convinced my older brother Eddie who you saw to join me as well and he was
saw to join me as well and he was
saw to join me as well and he was working at the White House at the time
working at the White House at the time
working at the White House at the time right he had graduate from Harvard
overachieving kids and we said you know
overachieving kids and we said you know what and I asked my best friend Eric who
what and I asked my best friend Eric who
what and I asked my best friend Eric who was a Harvard med school to join me too
was a Harvard med school to join me too
was a Harvard med school to join me too and so every night what we would do and
and so every night what we would do and
and so every night what we would do and we were all in different cities right we
we were all in different cities right we
we were all in different cities right we would come up with scripts and we would
would come up with scripts and we would
would come up with scripts and we would film things and we edit it was and hard
film things and we edit it was and hard
film things and we edit it was and hard drives back and forth and slowly all her
drives back and forth and slowly all her
drives back and forth and slowly all her videos start going viral tens of
videos start going viral tens of
videos start going viral tens of thousands hundreds of thousands and
thousands hundreds of thousands and
thousands hundreds of thousands and people started to invite us out to speak
people started to invite us out to speak
people started to invite us out to speak at events I said oh wow that’s awesome
at events I said oh wow that’s awesome
at events I said oh wow that’s awesome so we would get up there and be like
so we would get up there and be like
so we would get up there and be like what should we talk about and as events
what should we talk about and as events
what should we talk about and as events like this and people would say tell us
like this and people would say tell us
like this and people would say tell us about what it means to follow your dream
about what it means to follow your dream
about what it means to follow your dream so every weekend we would go to these
so every weekend we would go to these
so every weekend we would go to these college events or these highschool
college events or these highschool
college events or these highschool events and say you have to follow your
events and say you have to follow your
events and say you have to follow your dream you have to live a life of passion
dream you have to live a life of passion
dream you have to live a life of passion and they would say oh you’re so brave
and they would say oh you’re so brave
and they would say oh you’re so brave and every Monday morning would go back
and every Monday morning would go back
and every Monday morning would go back to our cubicles to be like oh my god I’m
to our cubicles to be like oh my god I’m
to our cubicles to be like oh my god I’m such a hypocrite and it all came to a
such a hypocrite and it all came to a
such a hypocrite and it all came to a head at one moment when I was speaking
head at one moment when I was speaking
head at one moment when I was speaking at an event like this and there was
at an event like this and there was
at an event like this and there was another speaker who was wonderful and
another speaker who was wonderful and
another speaker who was wonderful and she was talking about a woman named
she was talking about a woman named
she was talking about a woman named brownie where if you’re a big Ted to
brownie where if you’re a big Ted to
brownie where if you’re a big Ted to talk and you probably heard of Ronnie
talk and you probably heard of Ronnie
talk and you probably heard of Ronnie anywhere but she’s a palliative care
anywhere but she’s a palliative care
anywhere but she’s a palliative care nurse who is someone who helps people as
nurse who is someone who helps people as
nurse who is someone who helps people as they’re dying and she did a really
they’re dying and she did a really
they’re dying and she did a really interesting experiment where she would
interesting experiment where she would
interesting experiment where she would ask everyone as her dying what is your
ask everyone as her dying what is your
ask everyone as her dying what is your biggest regret in life and as you can
biggest regret in life and as you can
biggest regret in life and as you can imagine a lot of the responses where you
imagine a lot of the responses where you
imagine a lot of the responses where you know I wish I spent more time with my
know I wish I spent more time with my
know I wish I spent more time with my family I wish I had traveled more I wish
family I wish I had traveled more I wish
family I wish I had traveled more I wish I’d read more books certainly and I wish
I’d read more books certainly and I wish
I’d read more books certainly and I wish I’d watch more Netflix everything that
I’d watch more Netflix everything that
I’d watch more Netflix everything that you would expect right but by and large
you would expect right but by and large
you would expect right but by and large across the board the majority of people
across the board the majority of people
across the board the majority of people would actually say the same thing they
would actually say the same thing they
would actually say the same thing they would say I wish I had the courage to
would say I wish I had the courage to
would say I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself and not one
live a life true to myself and not one
live a life true to myself and not one that others expected of me I wish I had
that others expected of me I wish I had
that others expected of me I wish I had the courage to live a life true to
the courage to live a life true to
the courage to live a life true to myself and not one that others expected
myself and not one that others expected
myself and not one that others expected of me and I still remember where I was
of me and I still remember where I was
of me and I still remember where I was sitting and just cut me to the heart
just remember thinking and contemplating
just remember thinking and contemplating I looked over at Eddie and Eric and I
I looked over at Eddie and Eric and I
I looked over at Eddie and Eric and I say we got to quit
so we quit which is crazy right because
so we quit which is crazy right because my brother Eddie and I we are the only
my brother Eddie and I we are the only
my brother Eddie and I we are the only two children of Korean immigrants as I
two children of Korean immigrants as I
two children of Korean immigrants as I mentioned and they you know they had
mentioned and they you know they had
mentioned and they you know they had send us to great schools we had like
send us to great schools we had like
send us to great schools we had like these very well respected jobs bein at
these very well respected jobs bein at
these very well respected jobs bein at the White House and we quit on the same
the White House and we quit on the same
the White House and we quit on the same day so all the mothers in here like oh
day so all the mothers in here like oh
day so all the mothers in here like oh my god so you know what happened so I
my god so you know what happened so I
my god so you know what happened so I said well I’m the younger brother so I’m
said well I’m the younger brother so I’m
said well I’m the younger brother so I’m gonna call first so I said hey I’m she
gonna call first so I said hey I’m she
gonna call first so I said hey I’m she was hire I love you I love you too by
was hire I love you I love you too by
was hire I love you I love you too by the way just quit my job she was no man
the way just quit my job she was no man
the way just quit my job she was no man and she fainted
and she fainted
and she fainted oh man I in Korean means something I
oh man I in Korean means something I
oh man I in Korean means something I cannot repeat now she’s saying oh my god
cannot repeat now she’s saying oh my god
cannot repeat now she’s saying oh my god and she said what are you gonna do and I
and she said what are you gonna do and I
and she said what are you gonna do and I said I’m gonna make videos for YouTube
said I’m gonna make videos for YouTube
said I’m gonna make videos for YouTube but she was all in I fainted again we
but she was all in I fainted again we
but she was all in I fainted again we hung up okay maybe we should give her
hung up okay maybe we should give her
hung up okay maybe we should give her about five minutes okay so Eddie calls
about five minutes okay so Eddie calls
about five minutes okay so Eddie calls her up oh hey I’m hi my favorite son how
her up oh hey I’m hi my favorite son how
her up oh hey I’m hi my favorite son how are you and my brother goes oh I’m doing
are you and my brother goes oh I’m doing
are you and my brother goes oh I’m doing well by the way I just quit my job you
well by the way I just quit my job you
well by the way I just quit my job you Kazama nah and she says what are you
Kazama nah and she says what are you
Kazama nah and she says what are you gonna do he said I’m gonna make videos
gonna do he said I’m gonna make videos
gonna do he said I’m gonna make videos on YouTube oh she’s like this YouTube
on YouTube oh she’s like this YouTube
on YouTube oh she’s like this YouTube who is is YouTube I’m gonna kill him and
who is is YouTube I’m gonna kill him and
who is is YouTube I’m gonna kill him and of course you’re gonna imagine that my
of course you’re gonna imagine that my
of course you’re gonna imagine that my mother would have this
mother would have this
mother would have this this reaction but the truth is that
this reaction but the truth is that
this reaction but the truth is that everyone had this reaction my peers my
everyone had this reaction my peers my
everyone had this reaction my peers my mentors my boss everyone said you’re
mentors my boss everyone said you’re
mentors my boss everyone said you’re crazy are you kidding me you work so
crazy are you kidding me you work so
crazy are you kidding me you work so hard you went to an Ivy League school
hard you went to an Ivy League school
hard you went to an Ivy League school you’re working at the White House you’re
you’re working at the White House you’re
you’re working at the White House you’re working at Bain & Company you’re at
working at Bain & Company you’re at
working at Bain & Company you’re at Harvard med school you’re gonna give it
Harvard med school you’re gonna give it
Harvard med school you’re gonna give it all up to make videos on YouTube and
all up to make videos on YouTube and
all up to make videos on YouTube and everyone said don’t do it why would you
everyone said don’t do it why would you
everyone said don’t do it why would you do that you’ve got so much going on for
do that you’ve got so much going on for
do that you’ve got so much going on for yourself and it’s at that moment I start
yourself and it’s at that moment I start
yourself and it’s at that moment I start to reconsider it but I said no there’s
to reconsider it but I said no there’s
to reconsider it but I said no there’s entire life I’ve been told if you do
entire life I’ve been told if you do
entire life I’ve been told if you do this then you will be happy if you take
this then you will be happy if you take
this then you will be happy if you take this next step then you will be happy
this next step then you will be happy
this next step then you will be happy and every time I got to that place I
and every time I got to that place I
and every time I got to that place I didn’t feel that that happiness I was
didn’t feel that that happiness I was
didn’t feel that that happiness I was promised me I said you know what for the
promised me I said you know what for the
promised me I said you know what for the first time ever I want to live a life
first time ever I want to live a life
first time ever I want to live a life true to myself and now when the others
true to myself and now when the others
true to myself and now when the others expected me so we quit we quit we sold
expected me so we quit we quit we sold
expected me so we quit we quit we sold all her belongings we moved everything
all her belongings we moved everything
all her belongings we moved everything into our Honda Element
into our Honda Element
into our Honda Element 2003 which is like a Lego on wheels
2003 which is like a Lego on wheels
2003 which is like a Lego on wheels everything it fit in there
everything it fit in there
everything it fit in there and we decided we’re gonna drive across
and we decided we’re gonna drive across
and we decided we’re gonna drive across country to LA the place of dreams right
country to LA the place of dreams right
country to LA the place of dreams right Hollywood actors you know everyone’s
Hollywood actors you know everyone’s
Hollywood actors you know everyone’s beautiful in LA and they said okay where
beautiful in LA and they said okay where
beautiful in LA and they said okay where are you gonna move to LA are you moving
are you gonna move to LA are you moving
are you gonna move to LA are you moving to Hollywood or Culver City or downtown
to Hollywood or Culver City or downtown
to Hollywood or Culver City or downtown or Pasadena
or Pasadena
or Pasadena we’re in LA are you moving and we said
we’re in LA are you moving and we said
we’re in LA are you moving and we said we’re moving to this great place called
we’re moving to this great place called
we’re moving to this great place called Irvine
it wasn’t until we arrived here that we
it wasn’t until we arrived here that we realized wait a second is this LA it
realized wait a second is this LA it
realized wait a second is this LA it took us a while that we were a little
took us a while that we were a little
took us a while that we were a little slow on the uptake but in all
slow on the uptake but in all
slow on the uptake but in all seriousness there’s a such bizarre and
seriousness there’s a such bizarre and
seriousness there’s a such bizarre and difficult time because even when you
difficult time because even when you
difficult time because even when you make this step you’ve got all these
make this step you’ve got all these
make this step you’ve got all these doubts right even when you do what you
doubts right even when you do what you
doubts right even when you do what you love you’ve got all these doubts you’ve
love you’ve got all these doubts you’ve
love you’ve got all these doubts you’ve got all these people questioning you and
got all these people questioning you and
got all these people questioning you and you’ve got a less self doubt – it all
you’ve got a less self doubt – it all
you’ve got a less self doubt – it all came to the head for me the very first
came to the head for me the very first
came to the head for me the very first night we were in I and in Irvine and we
night we were in I and in Irvine and we
night we were in I and in Irvine and we realized you know what we had know where
realized you know what we had know where
realized you know what we had know where we’re gonna sleep but we had this room
we’re gonna sleep but we had this room
we’re gonna sleep but we had this room but we didn’t have a bed so Eddie and I
but we didn’t have a bed so Eddie and I
but we didn’t have a bed so Eddie and I we went to the IKEA up in Costa Mesa
we went to the IKEA up in Costa Mesa
we went to the IKEA up in Costa Mesa right and here I was a 25 year old man
right and here I was a 25 year old man
right and here I was a 25 year old man and my old my older brother’s 26 and we
and my old my older brother’s 26 and we
and my old my older brother’s 26 and we decided to buy a bunk bed I felt like I
decided to buy a bunk bed I felt like I
decided to buy a bunk bed I felt like I was Benjamin buttoning in my life
was Benjamin buttoning in my life
was Benjamin buttoning in my life because I we had a bunk bed when we were
because I we had a bunk bed when we were
because I we had a bunk bed when we were five and six years old and I was you
five and six years old and I was you
five and six years old and I was you know I was getting older but somehow I
know I was getting older but somehow I
know I was getting older but somehow I felt like I was regressing I like is
felt like I was regressing I like is
felt like I was regressing I like is this really what I want of course I said
this really what I want of course I said
this really what I want of course I said I want top bunk and you okay now fast
I want top bunk and you okay now fast
I want top bunk and you okay now fast forward five years later
forward five years later
forward five years later the choovely media now is a digital
the choovely media now is a digital
the choovely media now is a digital media startup and we’ve made hundreds of
media startup and we’ve made hundreds of
media startup and we’ve made hundreds of videos and we’ve got hundreds and
videos and we’ve got hundreds and
videos and we’ve got hundreds and thousands of followers and every day now
thousands of followers and every day now
thousands of followers and every day now I get to wake up doing what I love I get
I get to wake up doing what I love I get
I get to wake up doing what I love I get to tell stories to inspire change and we
to tell stories to inspire change and we
to tell stories to inspire change and we agreed we were able to create videos in
agreed we were able to create videos in
agreed we were able to create videos in the films that not only bridge people
the films that not only bridge people
the films that not only bridge people together but inspire young people to
together but inspire young people to
together but inspire young people to live for something much greater than
live for something much greater than
live for something much greater than themselves I share with you my story in
themselves I share with you my story in
themselves I share with you my story in hopes that in some small way especially
hopes that in some small way especially
hopes that in some small way especially for the young people in this room that I
for the young people in this room that I
for the young people in this room that I would remind you of what I talked about
would remind you of what I talked about
would remind you of what I talked about in the very beginning the very first
in the very beginning the very first
in the very beginning the very first lesson that we learned that we hear all
lesson that we learned that we hear all
lesson that we learned that we hear all the time but that is beaten out of us as
the time but that is beaten out of us as
the time but that is beaten out of us as we grow older you can be whatever you
we grow older you can be whatever you
we grow older you can be whatever you want
want
want when you grow up and this idea that
when you grow up and this idea that
when you grow up and this idea that ordinary people can do extraordinary
ordinary people can do extraordinary
ordinary people can do extraordinary things and this idea that if we live a
things and this idea that if we live a
things and this idea that if we live a life of love of compassion and of
life of love of compassion and of
life of love of compassion and of courage that together we can change the
courage that together we can change the
courage that together we can change the [Applause]
”
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