Growing up with two immigrant parents who fled war-torn Vietnam, my opportunities to leave the house were limited. Additionally, I grew up with my uncle, who has Down syndrome, and took on the role of his caretaker at a young age. Despite these situations, I discovered my passion for acting in high school and became an active member of a theater troupe, participating in plays and directing productions. Unfortunately, a distressing incident of verbal harassment from one of my directors resulted in my resignation and the loss of my credentials for extracurricular activities, hindering my admission to desired schools and leading me to attend community college for two years.

At the age of 19, during the height of the pandemic, I found myself in an abusive relationship, which prompted a journey of self-discovery and healing once it ended. However, being confined to my home due to lockdown procedures further intensified feelings of despair. While guilt and shame tend to be common emotions that linger after abuse, I wrestled a profound case of self-detachment and numbness. Seeking solace and escape, I turned to movies for escapism as they allowed me to momentarily forget the abuse and reconnect with my core values. Childhood favorites like Marvel superhero movies and stop-animated films somehow had the ability to remind me of who I was before the storm. Whether it was indulging in CGI-heavy fantasy films or connecting emotionally with characters who endured grief and pain, I was able to develop healthy coping mechanisms as I gradually healed from the past. A favorite of mine included Fantastic Mr. Fox, a film that follows a character who wrestles with perfectionism and the need to uphold an impressive reputation. it wasn’t long before I created a Letterboxd account to track the films I had watched.

During my third year at UCI, I pursued an internship as a writer for New University's arts and entertainment section. This opportunity enabled me to merge my creative sensibilities with profound insights gained from my past experiences as a movie watcher, creating content that highlights universally resonant elements in film and media. Through my writing, I frequently incorporate commercial analysis, exploring the commercial performance of large-scale productions in the entertainment industry. However, if you look closely, you'll find subtle references to the transformative impact of film and media, the very impact that brought me back to who I am today.