“The greatest asset in life might be the courage to be honest with yourself.”

Mike Kim, known today as a sought-after brand advisor and marketing strategist, didn’t come from a typical background. In this intimate six-page feature, M25 dives deep into Mike’s unconventional upbringing, his family’s history of challenges and independence, and the way self-honesty became his most powerful compass.

1. Early Years and Upbringing

“Hi, I’m Mike Kim. I help companies promote their services and products by offering consulting and marketing strategy. Thank you for visiting my studio—this place feels like home. I went to Riverdale High School in the River Edge area and attended local churches, so this neighborhood is my home ground.

Growing up, my childhood was... different. Both of my parents worked a lot, so my sister and I were often home alone. That solitude shaped certain habits and tendencies that, over time, proved to be strengths in business. I read constantly as a kid—there weren’t many toys or cable TV, so I had to stretch my imagination.”

2. A Love for Stories and an Independent Childhood

“I always loved stories—films, video games, comics. And since the internet wasn’t a thing yet, I spent plenty of time outside too. I played basketball with friends and got deeply involved in music through church youth group.

Looking back, I wasn’t isolated—I was just raised in a household that didn’t micromanage. My parents weren’t the kind to say, ‘You must do this or that.’ Unlike many Korean families, there were no strict expectations like becoming a doctor or lawyer. My dad had a brilliant mind and many talents, but he changed jobs frequently and struggled to stay focused, often lured by something new.”

3. A Portrait of His Parents

“My dad was a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and graduated near the top of his political science class. He dabbled in car sales and various jobs, constantly shifting paths due to different distractions.

My mom, on the other hand, was our rock. She held the family together—juggling work, parenting, and everything in between. She was incredibly hardworking, often doing multiple jobs, sometimes overnight shifts. She studied at Hongik University, a prestigious art school in Korea, but to support us, she earned a cosmetology license and took on whatever jobs she could—working at a Japanese restaurant, at the post office… she did it all.

Despite all that, she remained easygoing and free-spirited. She never forced us to follow a rigid path. I think her artist’s nature gave her that openness. Both of my parents didn’t dictate our futures—they just wanted us to study and pursue our strengths. That kind of freedom was rare in a Korean household.

Sometimes I wonder how things would’ve been if they had pushed me more—especially in learning Korean—but maybe I inherited their rebelliousness too. I was shaped by that freedom.”

4. Language Education and His Father’s Influence

“My parents didn’t insist on us learning Korean. At the time, people believed bilingual education might confuse kids. So my sister and I were raised in English. Thankfully, both of my parents spoke English well. My mom studied hard to improve, and my dad had his own ways of learning—he’d make me read English newspapers aloud in the living room at night.

I remember he’d play English vocabulary tapes while driving—not radio, not music, just tapes. I didn’t appreciate it then, but now I see how committed he was. I think I inherited my communication and writing skills from him and my grandfather.

My parents always said, ‘As long as you do well in school, you’re doing fine.’ That mindset let me focus on what I needed to learn without unnecessary pressure.”

5. Advice on Life and the Power of Self-Honesty

“I’m 46 now. If I could give advice to my younger self, it would probably change depending on the phase of life—but I’d say this:

‘Be honest with yourself about what you really want, what you like and dislike, what makes you happy or unhappy. And know—it’s not wrong to be clear about those things.’

Growing up, my family had its share of conflict, and the frequent fighting made me emotionally closed. Kids in that kind of environment often learn to hide their desires.

On top of that, I was deeply religious as a kid. I believed I had to suppress personal desires to follow God’s will, which made self-expression even harder. That mindset affected my marriage and later bled into other areas of my life.

If I had a time machine, I’d tell younger me:

‘Face what you need and want. Don’t just focus on your feelings—observe your patterns. Don’t ignore what your behavior is telling you. That’s who you are. And if there’s something you want to change, you have the power to change it.’

Everything starts with self-honesty. Drawing boundaries and saying, ‘This is non-negotiable for me.’

I admire people who’ve always been able to do that. I’m still unlearning old habits and learning new ones.”

Closing Thoughts

Mike Kim’s story reminds us of something simple but profound: Being honest with yourself might be the bravest and most rewarding thing you can do.

From unconventional parenting to family conflict to spiritual struggle, his journey is one of reflection, clarity, and transformation.

"Everything begins with being honest with yourself.” That line lingers.

No matter where you are in life, we hope Mike Kim’s journey inspires you to ask:

What do I truly want—and am I brave enough to admit it?

Editor’s Note:

This article captures Mike Kim’s reflections word-for-word—from childhood to present day. His unique upbringing, the chaos and creativity of his family, and the spiritual values he wrestled with all shaped the person he is today.

“Everything starts with self-honesty.” May his words offer you insight, courage, or even a starting point.