Hi, I’m Jean Yong Kang — a Korean American storyteller, social media producer, and digital journalist who’s passionate about connecting people to stories, cultures, and places.
I grew up in Chicago’s Koreatown as the daughter of Korean immigrants, where English wasn’t my first language, and translating for my family was my first job. That early experience sparked my love of communication and storytelling — learning how to bridge cultures, perspectives, and communities through language and media.
I studied broadcast journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and built my career in fast-paced newsrooms and digital media teams, producing content for outlets including NowThis, WGN-TV, and national advocacy organizations. Today, I work in social media production, creating short-form videos and social graphics that reach millions of viewers across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
My work sits at the intersection of journalism, social media strategy, and visual storytelling. I specialize in turning timely stories and cultural moments into engaging, shareable content — from viral videos to social graphics — while using analytics and audience insights to grow communities online.
Outside of the newsroom, I’m an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast. Climbing has taken me from local gyms to destinations like Mexico, South Korea, the Philippines, Ten Sleep in Wyoming, Red River Gorge in Kentucky, Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, and much more. Climbing continues to shape how I experience travel — through curiosity, challenge, and connection with people and landscapes.
When I’m not producing content, you’ll probably find me planning my next adventure, documenting travel and climbing trips, exploring new food spots, or diving into Korean culture — from K-dramas and K-pop to skincare and street food.
As the first in my family to graduate from college, I carry my heritage with pride and believe storytelling has the power to build empathy, spark curiosity, and bring people closer to the world around them.
Check out my work: