Check Out Heoak Lee’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Heoak Lee.

Hi Heoak, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Traditional Korean Dance has been my deepest passion all my life. It all started in Korea when I was 5 years old. After immigrating to the US at age 9, I was able to take lessons and perform all over the Washington, DC area. My first attempt at choreography was during my junior year in high school. I also got to produce my first event that year. My desire to further study and experience Korean dance led me to travel to Korea, where I studied traditional instruments and singing. In 1997, I formed a Korean dance group, ‘Imperial Jewel, which enabled me to connect with the community and establish Imperial Jewel as the face of Korean cultural performance. I was heavily involved with the International Festival of Raleigh for 30 years serving as the Korean ethnic chairperson for 23 of those years. My responsibilities included running the Korean food and cultural booth and performing on stage. I taught Korean dance at The Triangle Korean School for 10 years. And was the board president for 2 years. I also served within the Korean community as the Vice president and cultural committee chairperson under 2 separate leadership. I have served on the board of The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County and The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle. All of my experiences and connections in the community were the foundation on which InWave was born. I did not know it then, but I was being prepped to take on the challenge of hosting our signature event, KoreaFest. It’s all about relationships. I have learned that is the key to doing what I do. Everything that goes into producing KoreaFest is so exciting and energizing. We have grown steadily over the years. This year marks the 6th annual KoreaFest. Being consistent yet continuously evolving is setting us apart from other similar events.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a smooth road?
With any grass roots organization and being a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, finance has been the biggest struggle.

Selling tickets to our signature event, KoreaFest, has been the biggest income source. Yet, the majority of the funds are generated on the day of the event.

However, everything that we book —venue, artists, equipment, etc— all require a deposit upfront, which makes the event planning process difficult. At times, I have to pull from my personal resources to cover these upfront fees as our income and expenses have been almost equal.

Presently, I work with a team of volunteers which includes myself. Sponsorships, grants and donations are scarce. No one wants to invest in an organization without a track record. Currently, we have been building that track record and proving our resilience.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has ever purchased a ticket to KoreaFest. Purchasing a ticket is the best way you can show your support.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the founder and Executive Director of InWave. Since 2016 I have been running a non-profit organization. Our signature event has been KoreaFest since 2017. We embark on the 6th annual event on November 19 & 20 in the Exposition Center at the NC State Fairgrounds.

We produced the 1st Korean Festival in the State of North Carolina. From the planning of the non-profit, my mission was to spread all genres of Korean culture to everyone who would embrace it. We may be the first Korean-themed organization to set up the website and social media sites in English. I formed the initial  board members with a Korean adoptee, a mother of a Korean adoptee, a non-Korean who married a Korean, and 2 Korean Americans.

Our board members and volunteers are made up of individuals from all ethnic backgrounds with ages ranging from 12 to 65.  Of the over 5,000 attendees at our last live event on Feb. 29, 2020, 97% were non-Koreans.  I can pull ideas from all directions. This is what sets us apart from other Korean Festivals.

“To all of you who are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation Korean Americans, to those of you who have a parent, grandparent, or a great grandparent, and especially to those who have been adopted from Korea.  I sincerely hope you leave here today with a better sense of understanding, appreciation, and pride in your heritage.”  This is a personal message that I have been delivering at KoreaFest since 2017.

I am proud that through KoreaFest, we have united the community through Korean Culture. We started hosting K-pop Dance Contest and Korean Singing Contests as part of KoreaFest. I wanted to provide the stage for everyone who loves dancing and singing. This has become a fixture and an event that has a huge following.

We are different from other Korean Festivals in the following ways:
1. Everything we produce is in English by native English-speaking individuals.
2. We incorporate all aspects of the Korean culture.
3. We are an indoor event.
4. We are a mixed group of individuals working on KoreaFest.
5. We appeal to non-Koreans.
6. Our programming is creative and ever-changing.
7. We do not follow in anyone else’s footsteps.
8. As the executive director, I handle all aspects of KoreaFest, including all footwork.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?

• It’s all about relationships. I have learned that is the key to doing what I do.
• Through all of my opportunities I have been able to meet and connect with others.
• I build relationships through excitement. Working on KoreaFest excites me. It brings me into contact with many people. I genuinely like to meet people in person, especially for the first time. As I am very enthused about what I am doing, Everyone I meet can feel my excitement. It’s contagious!
• Gratitude towards others is what keeps relationships. I make sure that I show gratitude to all the people around me who help make this possible. Again, I sincerely thank all of those who have played a part in making KoreaFest become what it is.

Contact Info:

• Website: nckoreafest.com