Renee Simone, A Trailblazing Entertainer in South Korea
BY LEROY ADAMS
When we spoke to Renee in Summer 2020, Black Lives Matter and antiracism protests had just broken out in every corner of the world, even Korea. What we loved about this interview was two-fold. On one hand, we got to hear from Renee about her experience being a trailblazing Black model in Seoul. And on the other hand, she helped us understand how and why Koreans had decided to protest and join Black Americans in the fight against white supremacy.
“…I think my way is through storytelling. I give people a little bit of my point of view. That’s my way of sharing on this issue.”
birthplace: New Jersey
current Location: Seoul, South Korea
occupation: Model & Entertainer
What I’ve been doing is that when I release a [social media] post, I write underneath and then give people a little bit of history, like storytime. Storytime from Renee. To express: “Hey guys, I experienced this in childhood.”
Some people comment on and share my posts and say, ‘Everyone, read her comment. This is what she’s talking about. It starts with small micro-aggressions. And even from childhood She experienced this. This is what Black people are facing.” So I think my way is through storytelling. I give people a little bit of my point of view. That’s my way of sharing on this issue.
BLM from the Korean Perspective
People are trying to relate to the Black Lives Matter Movement. So some people had to bring in [Korean] history because [BLM] was going over people’s heads. If you want to look at history, you would look at Japan [and their colonial rule in Korea] or if you wanted to refer to modern-day, people refer to what’s happening now with feminist movements and also LGBTQ movements... So I think that’s why this is so interesting. “More people are joining this [BLM] movement, due to the influences of other BLM movements. ”those other movements.
On the emotional struggles she faces as a Black model in Korea and how she overcomes them...
Even if I might have the qualifications or think that I measure up to what is required or to what the client is looking for, there may be other reasons why I am not chosen. Just because. And I may have to internally face that. And they won’t tell me, Oh it’s because you’re not white. No, of course not. Instead, they’ll say, We chose a model with more experience. Or, We chose a model who’s lighter-skinned. Or, We chose a model who is mixed. So being told that: “You’re not good enough for this thing” and being called up for sub-roles or extra roles because that’s where you “fit” -- it takes a toll. And I have to take a break now and then. But keeping in mind that I just know my worth and project that. And that I say no to anything that doesn’t align. That’s what’s been keeping me going.