Meet Somi Jun | Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Somi Jun and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Somi, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My college counseling business began organically around 2016, when I graduated high school. I was helping my friends and family members with college applications at the same time as navigating the process myself.

For the past 8 years, I’ve kept that same phone number. So every year around March or April (thus the name of my business – March April), I’ll get calls and text messages from people who want to work with me on college applications. It’s been fascinating to see the process change so much every year. The business has also made it possible for me to focus on my studies, providing me with steady income throughout my undergraduate years at Princeton and my MFA at UC Irvine.

Now I’m expanding into an office space, because I’ve changed my phone number (finally) and, more seriously, because I see a demand for writing workshops in Los Angeles. By opening a physical space, I can offer essay-writing classes for college applicants, as well as creative writing classes for all ages. I loved teaching at UC Irvine and want to continue doing so in L.A. The physical space has also allowed me to hire visual artists, who can work with students on their arts portfolios. It’s also a very flexible office, because most tutoring happens after school hours. So during typical working hours, i.e. 9 to 5, the office is open as a cozy co-working space.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I teach essay-writing, I emphasize that the essay is both flexible and rigorous. It can accommodate your personal voice, while also supporting the weight of your life story.

There’s no formula. Rather, the essay is iterative. You talk about your ideas, maybe with a friend or partner. You write them down on paper in whichever form thoughts come to you – isolated phrases, a stream of associations, a list of references. You cut up the paper and rearrange those ideas. Where does the story begin? Where does the action happen? Where does the story feel “thin,” indicating that you need to add more detail? Where does the story feel “thick,” indicating that you need to slow down? Where does the story catch up with who you are today?

And then you repeat the process. You figure out what you need to add or remove, and you keep rearranging. In this way, the essay form is adaptable. At the same time, it hews to structure. Because the essay draws from firsthand experience, and because we like to make meaning of our lives, structures will often naturally emerge as a result of recognizing one’s personal patterns.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In my opinion, L.A. is a city for loitering. To get the true L.A. experience, you need to go to places where you’re not worried about overstaying your welcome.

So I’d take my friend to the beach (I spent a year living in Irvine, so I’m partial to Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar). We drive back up to L.A. for a late-night dinner, probably Haemaru for sullungtang. I’m not huge on karaoke, but I understand that many people are, so OK, we’ll go to karaoke (DGM?) and stay out until 2 a.m. Then it’s time to shop. We’re going to the Silverlake Flea or the flea market in the LACC parking lot. By this time, everyone’s hungry and maybe still a little hungover. So we’re going to Thai town — Crispy Pork Gang for endless good deals. Malls are also great places to loiter: the Grove parking lot for the view (sans car), Santa Anita Mall to feel like a teenager, Koreatown Galleria for clothing.

OK, that’s it. I’m gatekeeping everything else.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My dad was a photographer and my mom worked in garments. Around 2018, my mom pivoted to the restaurant business and now runs two ghost kitchens in the area.

By watching my parents, I grew up knowing it was possible to have a creative career. At the same time, my parents faced a lot of financial difficulty. So there was a strong sense of possibility around the arts – it always seemed accessible and even natural to pursue – coupled with caution.

Shoutout to my parents for making everything seem so possible, while also showing me the importance of prudence.

Website: https://marchaprilart.com

Instagram: marchaprilart, somijug

Image Credits
Derek Dubner
Maj Roshandel