What is the best thing that I love about my work?

 The best thing about my job, is that I get to express myself through different mediums; and in me expressing myself, truly expressing myself, it allows other people to express themselves and to find their freedom as well.

What is my idea of happiness?

 My idea of happiness is quite simple actually, I like paying my rent on time… I like being able to order an appetizer and a drink during the same meal. I think many people will expect me to say that my idea of happiness is something more metaphysical; but as humans that live in society, there are basic things that we need that can distract us from our true definition of happiness. I’ve realized it doesn’t take much to make me happy; but these small physical things make it easier to tap into true spiritual happiness.

What is my greatest fear?

 My greatest fear, really is failure. I think I put myself out there to do such daring things, but I never know if I can accomplish them. I think that the idea of failure keeps me up at night.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? 

I think the trait I explore the most is determination. I’m not sure if it’s a positive or negative, but I am an extremely determined person. I won’t rest until I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to accomplish. This could also be a bad trait of mine, because I will run myself down, no matter what state I am in mentally or physically, until I accomplish what I want to accomplish.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? 

The person in my profession I most admire is James Earl Jones. I grew up with a speech impediment and I still have it. It has gotten better, but in many ways I am still that person with the speech impediment. If it wasn’t for knowing someone that had overcome the issues that I have and has become so successful, I wouldn’t have even dared to go into a career in the arts.

What is my greatest extravagance? 

Food! I love food, and I love exploring a country through food. So, food and travel are the two biggest things I spend my money on. If I died tomorrow I would want to die in an amazing country, after having a delicious meal.

On what occasion would I lie? 

I don’t really lie honestly… I would lie if I’m in a bar and I don’t want to talk to a guy. I think that it is totally acceptable to lie to get away from unwanted advances.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

 I dislike that I am always working! There’s no breaks really? As an artist you either have one job that keeps you working 24/7; or you have a job to keep your dream alive, plus your artist work. Either way, you are working all the time, with your mind or with your body!

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

 I think I was the happiest playing my show in Cork, Ireland. When I moved to Europe I really started to take my music seriously. I started playing whatever open mic I could. I started to see what countries I could play in. Playing in Ireland was my first time being a featured artist. I wasn’t the best, but this type of performing helps you grow. It helps you learn as an artist, what you can do, what you can’t do. I have a lot of growing to do, but I think playing that show really elongated me as an artist.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

 I wouldn’t change anything about myself, honestly. It’s taken me so long to be happy with who I am, why would I change anything now?

What is my greatest achievement in work?

 The greatest achievement for any artist is probably to do what you have dreamed of doing. My biggest accomplishment has been writing a song, recording it, and performing it. I don’t think there’s any better feeling than that.

Where would I most like to live? 

I’m not sure really… I guess, I’m still looking for that. I guess, the most important thing to me is that I am actually living.

What is my most treasured possession?

 I don’t have a prized possession yet, I have things that mean a lot to me, but a possession really doesn’t do too much for me. Everything I really need is in me.

What is my most marked characteristic?

 I’m not really sure what you mean by “marked.” If you mean characteristics that people know me by, it is usually my sense of humor, my honesty or my passion.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? 

I live in Korea, so I think any temple here carries so much inspiration and peace. My favorite temple is the Golgulsa Temple. That place really is magical.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? 

I love Korean barbecue, especially lamb, but the pork is so good here, I don’t have a particular place I really love, but if there’s barbecue I’m there!

What books influenced my life and how?

 The book “our many selves,” by Sri Aurobindo, has really changed my life. I think life is really about you trying to figure out who you are. In some ways your soul is put in your body and places in this crazy earth. Your life journey is to put it all together. This book really showed me that there’s not really just one me. There are many facets of who I am, and I have to appease all parts of myself.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? 

The last song, I would like to listen to is “What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? 

My favorite heroine is Xenia, the Warrior Princess! I even named my dog Princess Xena, to pay homage to her. While working in New Zealand, I had to stop a few times, because I was like this is the Holy Land, Lucy Lawless touched this ground!

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? 

My real life hero was my grandfather, unfortunately he passed away my Freshman year of college. He really was Superman to me. He did so much for me and the only way I know how to keep honoring him is to keep living, because he can’t. My other real life hero is my grandmother. My love for that woman runs deeper than any ocean. She has kept me steady my whole life, and there really is no way for me to repay that woman for all that she has done for me. I really am not worthy to share the same DNA as her, because God broke the mold when he made her.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? 

Well, with social media I think this “saying” is more true than ever. The way you present yourself is how other people view you. You have so much power with the access you allow people to have to you. People only can treat you how you allow them to treat you. I think social media changes a lot of things, strangers can comment on your life and it can really affect you, but you really have to be careful the access you allow people to have to you.

What project, in 2022, am I looking forward to work on? 

I’m looking forward to getting into more acting and recording more music. I am almost done with a song that will be released early 2022. I’m really just excited to work more with my creativity in 2022.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

 I think if you love what you do, you never retire, you never rest. Even when you get to what you want to get to, there’s always more of a journey with an artist; I don’t really feel like for an artist the journey never ends.

How can you contact me?

Follow me on Instagram @michelahdesnai