Let’s All Dance: A Celebration of Pride | Haejun | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Haejun Choi, a dancer, choreographer, and actor, discusses their journey of self-discovery, coming to identify as non-binary, the influence of their experiences in New York, and their passion for dance and acting.

Transcript

Hello, welcome to the first Talks at Google after the pandemic! For today's first event, we invited a special guest with Pride Google. This person won Best Actor at Busan International Short Film Festival, and recently, at LA Outfest LGBTQ+ Film Festival, won for performance actor. Waacking Ball judge, the founding mother of "House of Seas," street... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Haejun Choi's journey of self-discovery led them to identify as non-binary after learning about the term and finding it easier to explain their gender identity.
• 😑 Their experience in New York allowed them to explore their identity without judgment, leading to increased confidence and self-expression.
• 💃 Choi's passion for dance started at a young age, and they naturally gravitated towards waacking and voguing as their main dance genres.
• 🎥 Acting became a part of Choi's life through a chance encounter with a movie director, leading to their first film role and subsequent success in the short independent film "God's Daughter Dances."
• 💃 Choi's career in dance and acting is driven by a desire to inspire others and challenge societal norms and expectations.
• 🤳 They handle self-doubt and the imposter syndrome by embracing each moment, focusing on growth, and finding comfort in their passion for their craft.
• 🧑‍🏭 Choi's future aspirations include continuing to dance and act with more intensity, exploring diverse characters in their acting career, and making a positive impact on others' lives by being true to themselves and encouraging others to do the same.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Haejun Choi discover their non-binary identity?

Choi discovered their non-binary identity during a visit to New York in 2019, after a conversation with a transgender woman friend who introduced them to the concept of non-binary and explained that it applied to individuals who cannot be defined by the binary gender categories of male and female.

Q: Did Choi have any concerns or doubts about being non-binary in a Korean society that may not fully understand the concept?

Choi acknowledged that there might be difficulties in understanding non-binary identity, especially in Korea, but emphasized the importance of education and open conversations to increase awareness and acceptance. They also shared personal experiences of having people ask pure questions, such as identifying as male or female, and their journey of finding comfort in the term "non-binary."

Q: How did Choi's experience in New York influence their outlook on life and their identity?

Choi spent five weeks in New York, engaging in dancing, practicing with diverse dancers, and encountering an inclusive environment where people's identities were accepted as they are. They found comfort in gender-neutral restrooms and the opportunity to explore their own identity without judgment or restrictions. The experience helped shape Choi's confidence and self-expression.

Q: How does Choi handle the imposter syndrome that may arise from their achievements in dance and acting?

Choi explained that they often struggle with self-doubt and a feeling of not being good enough. They mentioned that they try to focus on each moment, continuously challenge themselves, and recognize that mistakes and imperfections are part of their growth journey. They find solace in being honest with themselves, maintaining a passion for what they do, and aiming to inspire others through their performances.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Haejun Choi discovered their non-binary identity during a visit to New York in 2019, after learning about the term "non-binary" and finding it easier to explain their identity as not part of the gender binary.

• Choi's passion for dance started at a young age and they naturally gravitated towards waacking and voguing, which they chose to focus on as their main dance genres.

• Acting came into Choi's life through a chance meeting with a movie director, leading to their first film role in the short independent film "God's Daughter Dances," which won them the Best Actor award.