Meet Sun Kim | Director and Choreographer

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

Hi Sun, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my own dance company during the pandemic, and it felt like there was no more Plan B — it was now or never. The world felt so uncertain, and I realized I couldn’t wait for the “right time” anymore. I had to do what I truly wanted, even if I wasn’t ready — because honestly, who ever is?

That mindset kept me going for the past four years. Of course, there were moments of imposter syndrome and constant self-doubt about whether I was qualified to run a company. But I came to accept that those feelings are just part of the process. I decided to keep playing “the game of belief”. if I want to become that person, I have to start acting like that person, even before I feel ready. That’s been my guiding thought behind creating and leading my dance company.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always felt like an outsider wherever I went, and growing up, I thought something was wrong with me. But I’ve come to realize it was simply because I feel things deeply. My emotions have always been intense, overwhelming at times and it took me decades to learn how to feel fully while still feeling safe in my own skin.

Those emotions became the fuel for my art. I’ve learned that my feelings aren’t just personal; they’re universal. My pain, transformation, and longing to belong are shared by so many others.

I’m currently working on my new evening-length dance theatre piece, Alien of Extraordinary, a work born from the labyrinth of the U.S. artist visa system. It’s inspired by the “Alien of Extraordinary Ability” (O-1) visa and my own journey through applying, preparing, submitting, facing denial, appealing, and ultimately being approved. The process flattened human stories into forms and reduced lives to paperwork . Yet from that experience, this beautiful piece was born.

This happened a decade ago, and my younger self would be so proud to see that I’ve turned pain into beauty and comfort for others. Getting here was not easy, especially as an immigrant who arrived without speaking English, working relentlessly, and refusing to give up. But perseverance has become my art form, too.

I’m deeply grateful to be surrounded by supportive, hardworking people who remind me to keep going. The greatest lesson I’ve learned is about people, appreciating them, learning from them, and growing with them. People are always the key.

My story is a living library, constantly evolving while staying true to my integrity. I believe in expanding the box I’m in without changing who I am at the core. Keep growing, keep expanding, until the end.

My brand is simple: I can do it and I am doing it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My NYC itinerary would be simple. We’d start at LayeRhythm, a party where dancers and musicians improvise together, celebrating the love of movement, music, and community. To me, New York City is nothing without its people, and the street dance world is at the heart of that energy.

Then we’d hit a session, where dancers practice, cypher, and just get down together. After that, we’d grab pho or head to a late-night diner, talking for hours about everything and nothing.

My favorite bakery right now is Kora in Sunnyside. They make Filipino-inspired donuts that are to die for especially the ensaymada croissant and ube donut. I lived in Sunnyside for eight years, so I have to give a little extra love to the neighborhood. So another favorite spot in Sunnyside is Suryaside, my go-to yoga studio. They offer yin, vinyasa, restorative yoga, sound healing, circuit training, and Pilates, all at such an affordable price. It’s a real community gem.

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?
I have four people in my life I want to give a big shout-out to:

1. Buddha Stretch — This is the man who taught me how to actually dance. Coming from South Korea, I used to be so focused on technique, winning, and getting things “right.” But when I moved to NYC, he showed me a whole different side of dance — the joy of partying, the power of community, and what street dance truly stands for.

2. MJ Choi — She was the first person who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She saw potential in me to be more than who I was at the time — and that belief alone was a lifelong gift. Over the past decade, she has continued to support me, show up for me, and set an incredible example of what real leadership looks like.

3. Adesola Osakalumi — Coming from a battle dance background, I never imagined that popping — the street dance style I specialize in — could exist on Broadway. But Adesola does it all: he dances, sings, acts, directs. Through his example, he opened my eyes to the possibilities of being an artist, not just a dancer.

4. Ephrat Asherie — She’s the role model for the kind of leader I aspire to be for my own dance company. She leads with empathy and passion — a fearless leader who works tirelessly to provide for her dancers. She’s always creating something new and bigger, even after years in the game.

Website: https://www.sunkimdance.com

Instagram: @sunkimdance

Youtube: @skdt

Image Credits
John Michael Herr, Luis Eduardo Suarez, Jordan Kaya