#30: Kan Dang - “That Moment” in Anime, Finding Purpose through Service, and Living Life Fully - One Thousand Gurus Podcast

Episode Transcript
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J.R. (00:00):
Hello everyone and welcome back to another fun episode of
1000 Gurus with me.
Your host, jr Yonacruz.
So today's guest is Kan Dang.
Kan is a technically inclined,creative and community-minded
soul who is passionate aboutcultivating a safe, empowering
environment.
He aims to serve those aroundhim in development and
fulfillment through mentorship,supportive community

(00:21):
collaborations andtechnically-minded solutions.
He has been a part oforganizations such as the Cabo
Modern family and Culture Shock,Los Angeles.
In his free time, you can catchhim playing video games,
watching anime, playing tradingcard games and going on
adventures with his wonderfulgirlfriend, tiffany.
So Ken and I go way back, havingbeen newbies on Cabo Modern in
our first year of college backin 2010.

(00:41):
Since then, it's been apleasure to be connected with
this guy.
He's one of the most kind,compassionate people you ever
meet and, as you'll learn inthis interview, he has a real
heart for service and adding tothe experiences of the lives
around him.
We chat about various topics,including his dance journey,
travel, anime, service andpurpose.
Ken is one of those guys whoinspires you to continuously

(01:03):
strive to be the better versionof yourself through his own
example.
So I was very happy to be ableto have him on the show.
So, without further ado, hopeyou enjoy this episode with Ken
Dang.
Hello everyone and welcome backto 1000 Gurus.
Please welcome my guest, kenDang.

Kan (01:19):
Hi everyone, Thank you for having me.

J.R. (01:21):
Yeah, thanks for being here, Ken, I'm excited to have
you.
Yeah, you are what's it called?
Third in the series of our K10class on my show, so it's going
to be nice, like we're talkingbefore off camera.
My plan is to have us do alittle reunion with a four
person guest show on the big setat podcast place, so that
should be pretty fun, becauseAlex's episode will come out

(01:43):
tomorrow, next week, and I thinkwe had so much fun that I'm
like, okay, we need to do thismore.
So I'm excited for that.
Yeah, so let me just go intohow I know you and then we'll
show a video.
But basically so, yeah, we arethe same couple.
Modern class 2010 that wasjanuary 2010 and so we've known
each other for pretty much like15 years now, right.
And then, yeah, like similar tojune and alex.

(02:04):
Yeah, we've known each otherfor pretty much like 15 years
now, right.
And then, yeah, like similar toJune and Alex, yeah, we've
known each other since then.
We hang out, like maybe once ayear at our annual gatherings
and I know you've been doingyour thing.
You've also been dancing.
I think all of us can't stopdancing, so it's just been
non-stop for the last 15 years,which is great, and we're just
trying to fight old age.
I'm pretty sure we're're allfeeling it.
Yes and yeah, I know you're upto a lot of stuff.

(02:25):
You're also a fellow anime nerd.
You play video games as well.
We're the same era, so it'skind of like that whole thing.
Any clarifications or anythingelse that you want to add to
that?

Kan (02:36):
Not really Just that for everyone watching.
It's really been an honor tohave known JR for so long.
We've been through a lot,especially on our time on Cabo
Modern, and I feel like thattype of bond that we have is
really for life, and so I'mreally grateful to have him in
my life and I'm very honored tobe here.
So thank you again for havingme.

J.R. (02:56):
Thanks, Ken.
Okay, so let's start our warmupwith this really good Cabo
Modern 2012 Welcome Week set.
Just like the first few secondsof this.
I picked this one because wewere in the front.

Kan (03:09):
We're.

J.R. (03:10):
Skinny Spud.

Kan (03:11):
Yes, who choreographed this ?
This section, I believe,beginning, I think, is actually
your section.

J.R. (03:18):
Okay see.

Kan (03:19):
This is Alex's.

J.R. (03:19):
Yeah, okay, that makes sense.
I was trying to figure out.
I'm like I don't know if Icreated this or if it was
collaborative, and so, yeah,it's collaborative, right, but I
was like this looks familiar,but maybe I just practiced it so
much.
I wanted to know because youknew.
I'm like I know Ken knows.
Yes, yes, yeah, but there's alot of videos I could have shown
.
But that was just for fun, cool, yeah.
Anything else into topics, no,I think I'm good, cool, all

(03:44):
right.
So first topic is usuallyorigin story, main influences,
life trajectory.
So first question is basicallyyou know, where did you grow up?
What were your main influencesthat kind of got you to where
you are today?

Kan (03:56):
Yeah, I guess, since our relationship is through dance, I
can talk about my dance originstory, I guess.
So I went to a high school inCyprus called Oxford Academy,
and it's kind of like a collegeprep school, where your
curriculum is really set out foryou.
You don't get to choose any ofyour classes.
The only thing you can chooseis which elective pathway you
can take, and so my options werechoir, art or band, and I had

(04:21):
already taken art in junior high.
And I kind of want to trysomething new, and for bands you
had to buy your own instrument,so I didn't want to do that
either.
Interestingly, I chose choir,even though still to this day I
would say I don't know how tosing and I avoid singing at all
costs.
But funnily enough, the choirprogram had an after school
dance program and I was like youknow what's the worst that

(04:43):
could happen, so I'll just tryit.
It looked fun and so I startedthe program and it was actually
led by someone from the dancecommunity.
Her name is Lizzie and she wasfrom PacModern, and so I got a
lot of my exposure to a lot ofdifferent art forms and the
dance community through that.
And she told me about Pac'slike intensive, which was
PacCamp at the time, and so Iwent to that and I learned

(05:07):
that's like the very first timeI learned like locking, breaking
, popping house.
I did that and I actually metsome at the time Caba kids, I
believe John and Amy were thereand they told me about Caba kids
and then I, you know, theintensive ended and I went back
to school and I found out thatCaba kids were actually at my
school, so they told me about itas well, and so I was.
You know, the intensive endedand I went back to school and I
found out that Kabukids wereactually at my school, so they
told me about it as well, and soI was like you know, I think it

(05:30):
could be fun.
That's pretty much my mindsetas a kid, right?
If it's fun, I'll try it.
And I auditioned andmiraculously I made it, because
whenever I watch that video,it's I die a little bit inside.
This is for kaba kids.
This is for kaba kids.
Which year is this?
This is 2007, and at the time,it was known as creative
movement.
Actually, yeah, I auditionedand it literally just changed my

(05:51):
entire life.
I got exposure to what it'slike being on a team like our
dance community, in socalcompetitions, like showcases,
what staging is choreography,blocking, freestyling,
everything and through that, Iauditioned for Cobb Modern when
I was able to in 2010, which iswhen we met, and that was my
first collegiate experience.

(06:12):
And then I directed Cobb Kidsduring that time and, yeah, I've
been dancing ever since.
I've been able to dance on alot of different projects and
teams and everything.
So I'm very, very grateful, andcurrently I dance on Culture
Shock, los Angeles.
So I would say that's probablylike my dance origin story yeah,
nice.

J.R. (06:33):
I guess my question is and I know just the nature of
having 90% of my guests aredancers but how has like that
journey that you went throughand the people that you surround
yourself with and thoseexperiences, how has it like
impacted or informed you as aperson or the way you kind of
approach life?

Kan (06:50):
yeah, so for me, I actually attribute like everything to my
dance journey, like who I amtoday, like my sense of purpose,
my identity, like any type ofconfidence I have, my
relationships.
I feel like that all grew outof dance.
And so I think for me, as longas I'm able to, I want to keep
dance in my life for as long aspossible.

(07:12):
And, yeah, I think I owe a lotto Lizzie, who started it all
for me, for Kabukids, for takingme in and starting me on this
SoCal dance journey.
And, yeah, I think to me, evenif I don't, maybe I won't be
like so intense with dance inthe future, I know it will
always be a part of me and Ireally really, really credit it

(07:34):
to making me the person I amtoday are there some
characteristics or aspects ofyourself that you feel like you
got from that, from your dancejourney experience?

J.R. (07:45):
I know that's probably like a big wide thing, right but
, is there anything you canpoint to that be like?

Kan (07:49):
yeah, I I would definitely be more like this if it wasn't
for these people in my life Ithink the biggest thing is that
if I did not have dance, I feellike I would actually be a lot
more introverted.
And so because of dance anddance teams in general are like
very social, they have verysocial dynamics.
I feel like because of that Ireally learn how to interact

(08:12):
with people, like how to makepeople feel comfortable, like
how to create friendships, howto have a good time.
I know I like to have a lot offun and sometimes that involves
like just being a goofball orlike trolling people or watching
really old videos of people.
I know a lot of people have hadthat candy experience where I

(08:32):
bring up like an old video orold performance so, yeah, I
think I think that's definitelyone of the things that I got out
of dance.
And another thing I think is myleadership experience.
I think because I was able todirect Gobble Kids for so long,
I feel like I'm a lot moreorganized, for sure, and I like
to be more hands-on and kind ofbe in control of, like my own

(08:55):
destiny and things like that.
So, yeah, I would say those twothings are the biggest things I
got out of my dance experience,for sure.

J.R. (09:04):
I was gonna ask so what were some of the dance-related
things or achievements thatyou're most proud of?
Just to point to what you havebuilt or accomplished over your
dance career.
And I guess what kind oftakeaways would you give to the
audience or stuff that you'velearned that's really helped you
along the way in thoseachievements?

Kan (09:23):
Yeah, thank you for asking or stuff that you've learned
that's really helped you alongthe way in those achievements.
Yeah, thank you for asking.
For sure, I think the storythat I like to tell the most is
that I was fortunate enough todirect Caba Kids HHI from 2015
to 2018 with several differentgroups of kids and people, and
I'm very proud of thatexperience because during that
streak we actually managed toget a medal every year, every

(09:45):
one of those years, and go toworlds, which up until then was
like it seemed like such a hardjourney to do.
We had I myself have done HHIand I had never gone to worlds
myself and to have thisexperience where a lot is riding
on the decisions you make andlike seeing how bad the kids
like really want to do well, Ithink that was probably the most

(10:08):
fulfilling part.
I remember each year before theyannounced the standings, they
would.
There's like a little countdownor drum roll and we're all like
just huddled together, likepraying that we advance, and to
hear them say Kaaba Kids is likea feeling I'll never.
And to hear them say Caba Kidsis like a feeling I'll never,
ever, ever forget and I thinkeven 50 years from now, I'll

(10:29):
look back and I'll watch thosevideos and I'll reminisce about
the times we had and I feel likeduring that journey it really
made me learn that at that time,I feel like that was like my
purpose to direct Caba Kids tobe a part of their lives and to
do everything in my power tomake their dreams happen.

(10:52):
And I'm very grateful foreveryone who supported me and
who was a part of that journey,like the other directors who
were part of it the kids, theparents, the choreographers, my
friends.
You know something like that.
It really shows that if youbelieve in something, you will
find other people to support youto do it, and so my takeaway is
that if you are fortunateenough to find something that

(11:15):
gives you purpose, to reallyhold on to it and put your all
into it, because you never knowwhen an opportunity like that
will come again and I still talkto just about every one of
those kids.
Today I see them.
They're grown adults.
Some of them dance for a living, which is amazing.
You know, some of them havebeen grown to become like just

(11:37):
amazing, amazing people, and tohave that connection that
connects all of us is truly likea blessing, and I'm very very
grateful for that experience.

J.R. (11:46):
Yeah, I think we'll go circle back to like directorship
and service and purpose as well, Because I think those are.
That's another topic I want toget on.
I think last thing on this sortof area is maybe what were some
of the hardest challenges thatyou faced maybe as a director,
but also maybe just in dance ingeneral that you felt like
you've grown from.

Kan (12:07):
I think for me, I remember being on Modern.
There was a lot of times whereI kind of lost belief in myself,
because I feel like the peoplewe got to dance with they were
amazing dancers, choreographers,like brilliant minds, and there
was a lot of times where I waslike I felt like I was maybe not

(12:29):
just there, but like I wasn'tcarrying my weight, and so I
think every dancer experiencesthis, and so mine just happened
to be while we were on Moderntogether and, yeah, I just
remember being like dang.
This is like so hard, I don'tknow what to do.
I feel like I've hit a wall,and I actually felt like this
recently as well.

(12:50):
So it's like not a one-timething, yeah and happen again
yeah, yeah.
And so I think I think, justremembering that that's part of
the experience, that it'snatural, like to hit a wall, to
feel like you stop growing to.
You know, maybe just you feellike you aren't as far as you
want to be, and I feel like fromthat experience, I really

(13:12):
learned that comparing yourselfis extremely unhealthy, because
everyone is on like a differentjourney and everyone has a
different experience andeveryone has different strengths
and weaknesses, and so I try totell myself, like you know, if
I'm not as strong in some areas,you know I can make up for it
in other areas, or it's justsomething I have to work harder

(13:34):
towards.
Yeah but those times were tough,that's for sure.

J.R. (13:37):
Yeah, I was, and again, this is on Alex's episode too,
but it's like we were talkingabout how joining as a newbie
first year especially on modernand everyone is so talented it
makes you feel like crap becauseyou're like man, I am like
imposter syndrome, like what amI doing here?
So it's kind of a commonexperience, but I was like, but

(13:57):
caveat, alex kristal was likethe top of the bottom of the
food chain, so he was the.
He had pieces in the set andlike people like us were like
struggling I mean not you, yourchoreographer was great, but I
was just like I'm only herebecause I can backflip, so so I
just had to work hard, but itwas inspiring because obviously
being in those situations is themost growth opportunity.

Kan (14:18):
So yeah, like I totally iterate what you said I just
want to clarify he is correctthat alex cristal from our class
was like superstar already.
We like joined the team andthen he's like the only person
being blocked, like centercenter, yeah, as a newbie for a
piece that's not even his andthat's like unheard of at the
time.
So, yeah, but also I'd like toclarify that jr was already also

(14:38):
really good and he was the onlynewbie blocked in sean duong's
first section of Closer.
I remember, yeah, back center,yeah, my favorite spot.

J.R. (14:48):
On stage is on stage.
No no, no, it kind of soundsjoking, but I'm actually serious
.
I do like back center, but it'sjust so funny that I was back
center for that piece.

Kan (14:57):
I love that piece.
I remember we were doingstaging and then JR got blocked.

J.R. (15:10):
And we're on the side of our practice area and we're like
, damn, that guy is so luckydude, that piece is so good.
I yeah, I was pretty gratefulto be in that.
All right, anything.
Actually.
Last thing on that, I guesswhat advice would you give
someone I know we're mostlytalking about dance and I know
some of these things cantranslate into other areas I
guess mindset and feeling likethat but any last piece of
advice you'd give for someonestarting out who's, let's say,
minus 15 years of you, rightwhere you started, what pieces

(15:32):
of advice would you give thatperson?

Kan (15:34):
I think for me nowadays, I feel like there are so many
resources in dance, Likeanything you want to learn, like
you can go out and learn it,whereas I feel like in our time
there was like very set, likethere's boogie zone, there was
like teams would have workshops,but that would kind of be like
the extent of it.
You're kind of at the mercy ofwhat people are willing to offer

(15:55):
at the time and the opportunityof like studio space and stuff
like that.
But nowadays, like there are somany dance studios, there's so
many dance teams, there are somany dance studios, there are so
many dance teams, there are somany sessions, there's so many
people willing to teach you.
And so I guess my advice foranyone who's like trying to
start dancing now, or if maybeif I started dancing now is just

(16:16):
whatever you find yourselfinterested in, even if it's a
little bit, to just go out andlearn it.
If it's an art form, likebreaking, go to a session, find
like a teacher, go to likewhoever you know would be
willing to teach you.
If you want to learnchoreography, there's classes
that are like starter, very,very beginner level, like where
you just learn how to groove anddo like body awareness.

(16:39):
Or if you're like crazynaturally talented, there's like
industry level masterclasses,like everywhere, and so if you
look, you will find it, and ifyou love it enough, you will
make the time for it for sure.
So, yeah, and also, it's okayif you're not sure as well.
You know, I think some peoplefeel like they have to be like

(17:02):
100% in all the time, but it'sokay to go through ebbs and
flows too.
So it's a balance of reallyfiguring out what you want so
you can really have targetedpractice or targeted like
emphasis or intention, I think.

J.R. (17:20):
Yeah, my last thoughts on that is just to edify Ken a
little bit.
But what I always admired aboutKen is that he was the type of
guy who was doing a lot of stuffhe was interested in, but even,
especially in dance, he wasalways the guy practicing on the
sides but also trying out thedifferent styles and really
trying to get it, whereas otherdancers you might see, not
necessarily in modern but inother places, where they're kind

(17:41):
of set in there what they're,and that's totally fine.
But what I always looked up toyou about was, like you're
always the guy who waspracticing on the sides,
drilling different styles thatwere not your most your main,
most comfortable style.
And I think, like on alex'sepisode, we talked about that
kind of our mindsets of okay, wegot to work hard because we
don't feel like we belong here,actually set us up for more
success down the line, becausenow we're actually intentionally

(18:04):
drilling and trying to reachthat.
But I really appreciate that,Like, your mindset really speaks
volumes to that.
Thank you All right, so let'spivot to the next topic.
So this is a huge change.
So this is the fun one animegames, fun stuff, et cetera.
So we'll see where this goes.
My first question is basicallywhat are some of the biggest
things that you're into thesedays?
So, as a nerd, I'm sure you cango for hours on this, but what

(18:26):
are some of the biggest thingsyou're into?

Kan (18:28):
Yeah, I would say.
I guess, like targeted ones, Istill love anime.
I've been watching anime sinceyou had to like go on YouTube
and watch it in three parts in240p and you'd have to know the
episode number or you try tofind it online.
I love playing video games.
I think I wish that's one ofthe things I wish I had more
time for.
I feel like there's so manydifferent experiences to have

(18:50):
through video games and recentlymy girlfriend and I have been
like really trying to travel andexperience the world and
different cultures and justdifferent aspects of life.
But I'm sure we're going totalk a lot about anime and video
games right now.

J.R. (19:05):
So yeah, I was going to ask.
So, top of mind, what are someof your biggest anime recs and
or video game recs?

Kan (19:12):
So the anime I always recommend to anyone who asks me,
because I think it's souniversal, is Haikyuu, and I
think I thought about it and fora while now, and I actually I
think the Haik haiku is myfavorite anime of all time and I
say that because, you know,when I started watching it, I
didn't know anything aboutvolleyball.
I guess for anyone watching whohasn't heard of haiku, it's a

(19:34):
anime that involves volleyball,but I would say it's not
specifically about volleyball.
Haiku is my favorite becauseit's really based on character
development and how peoplerelate to each other and really
wanting to make yourself and theteam better, and volleyball is
just the vehicle in which it'scarried out.

(19:55):
So if you haven't watched it, Ihighly recommend it.
I'm sure, like if you enjoycharacter development like,
there's no way you won't like it.
There's so many amazing momentsin it and one of the things
that I love about it is thatthere's no like bad guy.
I guess there's no like evil.
It's just different people,different perspectives,

(20:16):
different teams, stuff like that.
Yes, and so my favoritecharacter is also not even on
the main team and I thinkthey're, I would say, actually
my top two favorite charactersare not even on the main team
and I think they're, I would say, actually my top two favorite
characters are not even on themain team, so I think that says
a lot about the writing and howit's paced and everything that
goes on.
In terms of video games, rightnow I'm playing final fantasy 7,

(20:37):
rebirth, which is a crazy game.
It's so big, there's so muchcontent in it and it reminds me
of like when we were little andwe would play like the original
final fantasy 7 on the ps1 andthere's like just so much
content and I feel like it givesme that childlike wonder.
So I would recommend that.
And then the other game I wouldrecommend is called stardew
valley, which is like a cozygame.

(20:58):
It involves like farming.
It's my girlfriend's favoritegame that I recommended to her.
Which platform she's playing iton the switch, okay, but I also
have it on the pc and honestlyI would dip again if I needed to
, but for sure, I think in termsof return value per dollar, I
would say stardew has given meso, so, so much value sorry,

(21:18):
what is it called stardew,stardew valley?
yeah, stardew, how do you spellthat star?
And then d e, w and thenvalley-E-W and then Valley.

J.R. (21:25):
Okay, this is for me taking notes later on, cool yeah
, haikyuu is definitely on thetop of my list.
It's what?
Five seasons, something likethat, six seasons, I believe
there's four seasons, and amovie.
Okay, so I watched the movie,not having watched the anime.
It was fantastic.
I loved it, but I'm like Idon't know what's going on.
I don't know who these peopleare, but this is amazing.

(21:47):
I love this.
So it's at the top of my list,and I also have I have a haikyuu
like outfit, like the jerseyset, because we did it for a
anime convention, a pasadena one, and so we did a K-pop set to
it.
So I my favorite number is 11,so I'm the 11 dude.
So I'm like I guess this is myfavorite character.
Now I don't know who this is.
He's with the glasses, right, Ithink?

(22:08):
Is he the tall one?

Kan (22:09):
I don't remember the number , I think so Okay, because when
I was, watching the movie I waslike, oh, it's the one with the
glasses, the tall guy.
I think his name is White hairor something like that If he has
Silver hair Goggles I thinkhe's blonde.
Oh, okay, never mind, I think,and his name is Tsukishima.
He has literally the bestmoment in the anime in season
three.

J.R. (22:29):
Really, Okay, now I gotta.

Kan (22:31):
Yeah, now I'm looking forward to season three.

J.R. (22:34):
Yeah, yeah, I was okay.
Sorry, those are good wrecks.
I was gonna say well, youanswered favorite anime, which
was my next one, and then whyyou answered that do you?
Have any favorite genres,because I have some thoughts on
that too.
Yeah, I think can is actuallythe guy who I go to for anime
wrecks, like before.
I have a list just from can, soI'm going through those.
But yeah, he's good hot takesor good takes yeah, for anyone

(22:56):
watching, feel free to dm me Iam more than happy to share that
list.

Kan (23:00):
That guy, yes 11 oh yes, yeah, he literally has the best
moment.
Oh man, now I gotta get toseason three, okay.
So favorite genre, I think, asI was growing up, I think the
typical one was like the actionones, like naruto, bleach,
shonen, sort of yeah.
But now I think I don't evensay I would have a favorite
genre anymore.
I literally just anything thathas like that moment I will

(23:24):
watch, and so I came up with acouple examples.
So the Tsukishima's moment inHaikyuu, season 3, is definitely
at the top of that list.
I would say, in your name, foranyone who hasn't seen it,
there's a scene in the middle ofthe.
That's the movie.
Right, the movie?
Yeah, I don't know.
I in your name, for anyone whohasn't seen it, there's a scene
in the middle of the movie.

J.R. (23:39):
Right the movie yeah they're?

Kan (23:41):
I don't know, I guess if you haven't seen it, maybe skip
forward, because I'll just spoilit right now spoilers.
It's hard to talk about itwithout saying it yeah there's a
part where the music changesand these two characters
supposedly write their names oneach other's hands, and when the
girl opens her hand, you expectto see the guy's name, but
instead it says I love you.
And so I feel like when Iwatched that in a theater I was

(24:04):
like, damn, this is hitting realgood.
When rock lee takes off hisweights in naruto, I feel like
if you haven't watched anime andyou watch that scene, you're in
it for life.
Yeah, that is so that moment.
I think any anyone who haswatched naruto remembers that
moment.
I think in my Hero in thesecond movie, the ending when
they share one for all and themusic just cuts out, or like the

(24:28):
sound cuts out and it's justthe music.
Yeah, so anytime there is, ifan anime has like that moment
where there's so much impact, Iwill watch it for sure.
I just got chills from all thoseexamples, because I know what
he's talking about like oh shit,yeah so I think right now the
one I would recommend that has alot of moments like that is

(24:48):
probably demon slayer, so theydo a good job at like really
highlighting those moments andlike hitting you in the face
with it.
Yes, the music.
I think for me the mostimportant aspect of those
moments is the music.
So if an anime has good musicand I feel like it's very
impactful, then I'll probablyalways give it a chance.

J.R. (25:07):
Yeah, I like music, art style, but also character
development, pacing, but likethose moments For me.
Obviously I'm biased, but inOne Piece, the Zoro moments
where he, like, takes all thepain.

Kan (25:19):
Oh, yes, yes.

J.R. (25:20):
And that's the one I evangelize people with.
I'm like yo, you can't not likethis character.
He's such a boss and he's noteven the main character.
But yeah so many good momentslike that and the line is so
badass, I think.

Kan (25:32):
They ask him what happened and he just says nothing,
Nothing happened, yeah.

J.R. (25:40):
Or nothing happened, yeah, or whatever that is in japanese
I forgot.
Yeah, okay, so maybe you answerthis.
But my next question is what doyou think makes a good anime?
Oh, that's a really goodquestion, just to before you
start, like I think we're bothon the same page in the sense of
I really love animes that likeimpact me, like on an emotional
level or like I get somethingfrom it, not necessarily okay.
I like the animes that are likeflashy and it's great.
You know punch fighting, cool,that's awesome right, but the

(26:03):
ones that really hit me the mostand the ones that really
resonate with me in some sense,like I feel like those ones make
an impact on me the most.

Kan (26:10):
So, yeah, sorry, just to throw it back over what makes a
good anime I think I'll still gowith music is like really
important nowadays.
I think that's one of the bigthings that separates anime from
manga is you add music and thatreally, in my opinion, that
really transforms the medium.
Yeah, I feel like characterdevelopment is a big one for me

(26:33):
personally.
I think if there's no growth,then it's kind of just spectacle
, and I think for me, likesubstance is really important.
Um, but I would say nowadays alot of people are on the quality
of the animation.
I think that's just the naturalevolution of what makes
something popular right now, buthonestly, I think part of it is

(26:58):
if there is like purpose to it,I guess, if that makes sense
could you clarify with what doespurpose in an anime means?
yeah, I think I guess I'll usehaikyuu, since that's my
favorite example, I think, inhaikyuu.
Obviously, I think it madevolleyball very popular when it
came out like a lot of myfriends started playing

(27:19):
volleyball after they watchedHaikyuu.
But to me, my interpretation ofHaikyuu is that it encourages
you to find something that youlove, and I don't want to spoil
it for you, but for Tsukishimathat's like a big, important
part of his development.
It's finding something heenjoys, just to enjoy it, and so

(27:39):
I feel like that's why Haikyuuhas resonated with me, for One
Piece it's.
I mean, obviously, besidesfinding the One Piece, it's
really about the Straw Hat crew.
In my opinion, it's like peoplewill join Luffy because he's so
singular in his purpose and hewill never forsake his friends,
and so I think one piece teachesus about the importance of

(28:02):
finding our people and likebeing ourself around them.
And yeah, I'm trying to thinkof a different, another one.
Are there any you that resonatewith you that you think yeah?

J.R. (28:16):
I think I think on in addition to that purpose thing,
because resonate with that,because I guess I interpret it
in terms of characters too,which is, some people like the
relatable characters who, likethey keep messing up.
For me personally, I thinkthat's kind of annoying.
The characters that I love arethe characters that I want to
aspire to be, like, right,whether it's someone like zoro,

(28:37):
who has unwavering loyalty anddiscipline and dedication and
would sacrifice everything forhis friends or his family, or
other characters like that where, oh, this is someone that I
would look up to or someone whoI aspire to be like, even if
it's not real, even like thelike Tanjiro, or even like a
Deku right, those people who aremaybe too Jesus-like and too

(28:58):
caring and stuff like that.
Even then, I still would ratherwatch something where I can
aspire to be like that personrather than and again, it's just
a personal opinion than ananime where it's like, oh,
everyone's messed up and they'rekind of annoying and they kind
of keep doing all this otherstuff.
I, what really gets to me iswhen someone stands up for what
they believe in, despite thewhole world around them telling

(29:19):
them something otherwise, andthey're just like steadfast in
their courage and in theirbeliefs and their principles.
That's what really gets to meand so like.
That's why those particularanimes I really like.

Kan (29:28):
But I think onto your point for me those animes have
purpose because of that sort ofelement yeah, yeah I definitely
agree with that and I thinkthat's what makes anime such a
amazing medium to consume isthat there's so many different
stories to tell and there's somany different like character
types and tropes, and it'sreally easy to have a favorite

(29:49):
character or someone you reallyidentify with, even if it's like
someone you don't like.
Sometimes it reveals somethingabout yourself or someone you
want to become.
Definitely I I agree with that.

J.R. (30:01):
So the last thing, and I know you mentioned, you don't
really have a genre you lookforward to or look sorry,
necessarily, I guess, biasedtowards right For me.
I've been pondering this.
But obviously the action genreis cool but I always find it
hard to find a really good animethat does action, comedy and
romance.

(30:21):
But I was thinking about itthat I think it's kind of
impossible to have it obviouslyin equal parts because one will
detract from the other, right,too much romance will take away
from, like, the action or thecomedy, and vice versa, if you
have too much comedy in anaction, romance or whatever.
So usually, if usually an animeor manga will specialize in one,
maybe it'll have two or partsof it.
But when I find some of thosethat do all three very well, or

(30:44):
at least in a good proportion,that make a lot of sense, for
example dandanon, I feel likethat has a very good balanced
mix of that.
One piece is mostly just action, comedy, no romance really, and
, like my hero, a little bit ofromance, a lot of action,
obviously comedy here and there.
You know what I mean.
Or Sword Art, it's like actionromance mostly right.

(31:04):
So, I think I'm not sayingthere's an opinion, but I just
like to think about that.
When I consume a new anime, I'mlike, okay, what parts of this
does it have?
And maybe that speaks to why Ilike it a lot.

Kan (31:15):
It's because maybe they just do and it's's so lovely,
it's just purely action with alittle bit of one romance, I
guess yeah, but it's stillreally good so yeah, I think
that's just a natural part ofanime is like, usually the
episodes are like 20 minutes andso it's kind of hard to fit
everything every time.
But now that you mention it, Ithink that's part of the reason

(31:37):
why dan the don has been sopopular popular or has such a
big following, because it reallydoes capture all three elements
and it's hard to do that.
Yeah, it's quite equal too.

J.R. (31:46):
Yeah.

Kan (31:47):
So I guess this is our recommendation for everyone who
hasn't seen it?

J.R. (31:49):
Yeah, for sure.
It's definitely my top five andit's only one season.
Yeah, cool, all right.
Any last thoughts on thatbefore we switch topics.

Kan (31:58):
Not really.
I think.
My opinion is that anyone canwatch anime.
It's just finding the one thatyou identify with the most.
So if you haven't watchedanything, I highly recommend you
try to find something, becauseif you're not watching it just
because it's animated, I feellike you're missing out on an
insanely large genre of media.

J.R. (32:17):
Yeah, and not to evangelize it even further.
But I feel like, like, andmaybe it's me preaching to the
choir and maybe I'm just.
I sound crazy, but like a lot ofmy life philosophies come from
one piece or other animes rightthat really inspire me to be a
better person.
I feel like it should be thebible as a christian, but it's
anime for me, like how I seepeople, how I see teamwork, how
I see growing, how I see foundfamily, empathy, compassion,

(32:39):
chasing your dreams all thisother stuff comes from a lot of
anime, just like One Piece, andI feel like if that's a media
that makes you aspire to be abetter person, then why not Cool
?
All right, let's switch then.
So the last one is directorship, service and life purpose.
I know we kind of touched uponthis a little bit already, but I
would say my first question iswere there any biggest or most

(33:04):
pivotal moments or memorablestories that had the biggest
impact on you in terms of thissection, like directorship or
service?

Kan (33:09):
I think there's one moment in particular.
I guess that stands out to me,mainly because it was documented
on video, but I rememberremember in 2016 it was the
second year I directed KabukidsHHI and we were circling up
before their performance in thefinals, I think and I just

(33:31):
remember that the kids were likereally expressing their like
gratitude for this journey and Ijust remember that it was like
such a not that the journey waseasy, but like being a part of
it.
It felt very easy and likenatural to me and I think
something like that like hearingthat it's it's all it's

(33:53):
obviously like very validating,but for me, it's like seeing how
happy they were and howgrateful they were and how, just
how much they really wanted it.
I feel like it just reallyhumbled me.
There's so many big things thatwe can be a part of that can
change like a person's life, andI think not that that's the

(34:15):
only pivotal moment, but it'sjust mainly stuff like that.
That's the only pivotablemoment, but it's just mainly
stuff like that, like justknowing that something you did,
like the small moment in time,can have a ripple effect that
can last through the years.
It was.
It really gave me my sense ofpurpose and so I think, for that
era of my life, I just knowthat that's why I was on this

(34:39):
earth.
I think, and yeah, I just Iguess I just take this time to
like express my gratitude to foreveryone who was a part of that
journey, even if, like, theywere not on copy kids or if they
were like on modern at the time, or legacy, and I just remember
feeling seen at that time and,yeah, for everyone who who did
HHI with me.
Thank you If you're watchingthis or listening to this.

(35:01):
It was truly like somethingthat I will cherish forever and
it definitely changed my life aswell.

J.R. (35:09):
And it's been like what?
Eight, nine years since then,so you still cherish it so
clearly.
Yes, how do you approach beingof service, quote, unquote, and
what does that look like and howcan others implement that in
their lives?

Kan (35:22):
I think for me, I guess, like my personal definition of
being of service is, I guess, todo something for others where
you like don't get a return, oryou the intention is not to get
something in return.
I guess, and I think being ofservice to me is very important

(35:43):
to my identity, because I feellike growing up, a lot of people
helped me of their own freewill and charity.
They did never, ever ask foranything in return.
They were always so willing tohelp and I think that really
shaped my view of the world.
Where I could be like that too,you know, like when I was a kid

(36:06):
, like I didn't drive, obviously, so for people to offer to take
me to and from practice orworkshops or intensives or
anything like that, that isthat's like a big ask.
You know people, if they'rewilling to drive out of their
way to pick you up and to dropyou off, and you know they don't
ask for anything in return,that really says a lot about

(36:28):
their character and I thinksomething as small as that
really touched me and made mejust want to exhibit that amount
of service into the world.
Yeah, I think I try to find alot of opportunities to, you
know, do something good in myopinion, like.
One of the things I'm a part ofis Homey Made Meals, which is

(36:50):
like this program where you cansign up to be like a chef or a
driver and you either puttogether like some meals or care
packages for the unhoused andor you volunteer to drive to all
the locations of the chefs,pick them up and then drop them
off.
That's just like one of thethings I really like to do and I
just find a lot of satisfactionin it in that, you know, I

(37:14):
believe I'm very lucky and Ithink it's I should like, if I
have the ability to, I shouldgive back.
Yeah, yeah, I think thatapplies to the current
organization.
I'm part of culture shock.
We have three youth teams andit's kind of like full circle to
see these kids like grow up,learn how to dance, learn what

(37:34):
it means to be passionate aboutsomething, to learn new styles
or art forms, or and to bepassionate about something to
learn new styles or art forms,and to be involved, to maybe
come in and teach or help themin whatever they want to know,
want to learn about.
I think, for as long as I live,I want to be of service, to do
something like that.
Yeah, I think I guess my adviceto people to apply that in

(37:58):
their lives is just to findsomething that you enjoy and
maybe volunteer to do somethingabout it, like for me it's dance
, but for you it could beanything.
If you're passionate aboutbasketball, you can like help, I
don't know, like a youth leagueor something, or teach people
or just introduce basketball topeople's lives Like you never
know the effects it could have,yeah.

J.R. (38:22):
Two thoughts on that topic .
One is it reminds me of thisbook be useful by Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
I think it came out a couple ofyears ago.
Such a good book.
I'll link it in my.
I think I wrote a summary on ittoo.
But I think the underscore, yourpoint, which is like the
purpose of life is really justto make life or the world around
you better than you, you know,than you left it.

(38:42):
And I think the selfish ask ismaybe people are like okay, well
, what's in it?
For me I would say that in myexperience and what I've heard
from other people is the reasonwhy we get so.
I don't want to generalize, buta lot of times our own sadness
and depression or kind of thosenegative feelings stem from

(39:05):
being so inwardly focused on us,comparing, like we talked about
before and like our owninadequacies.
But the literature says thisand studies and whatnot is the
best way to get out of that andto get into a positive headspace
is to look outside of yourself,is to give back to other people

(39:25):
, be of to other people.
So I think if you're in thatspace where you do feel like
you're missing something oryou're longing for connection or
something like that.
The answer many times could justbe help someone else out and
that will, in turn, help you out.
So it's kind of like a risingtide to lift ships.
It's a win-winwin and stufflike that.
So maybe that's the connection.
If people are like, okay, well,sounds good.
Yeah, of course, but I have myown problems to deal with, you
know which is valid.

(39:45):
But yeah, thank you, I likethat a lot.
So now, purpose in life.
So we might have touched onthis a little bit, but I guess,
how do you define purpose inlife, or how should people
approach finding their purposeor discovering that?

Kan (40:02):
and then, what is your purpose, ken?
I feel like the easy or likesimplified answer is really
finding something that gives youfulfillment is like maybe the
first step, because if you areable to do something where you
feel like it's your purpose,then it will be very natural.
But I think for sure you'llknow if, I guess, if it's your

(40:26):
purpose, if you feel like itcompletes you.
So I think for a long time as akid I felt like I was really in
the right place at the righttime and all these people came
into my life and helped mebecome who I am.
And when I chose to directKabakids and apply, I knew I

(40:49):
wanted to do the same.
And I think if you are unsurewhat your purpose is, you should
just go explore, find differentthings to do, find new hobbies
or passions or social circles orwhatever it takes, and
naturally I think you willgravitate towards it.
That's my belief.
It could be different for you,but yeah, I wouldn't.

(41:12):
I also wouldn't find put toomuch emphasis on I need to find
my purpose in life.
You know, I think for a lot ofpeople it naturally comes to
them, just just it, just at adifferent point in everyone's
lives and so so the timing mightbe up in the air, out of your
control yes, because you know,like kaba kids was like, if it

(41:32):
was like almost 10 years ago,and for me now, like I wouldn't
say I have anything that is likethat type of purpose.
Now I feel like my purpose ismore, like it's more personal.
Now I really just want toexperience the world with my
girlfriend, tiff.
We went to Japan at the end oflast year and we were originally

(41:53):
going to stay for 10 days andwe extended it to 15.
As you should, yes, it wasdefinitely the best decision we
made, because I know if we hadstayed only 10 days, we'd be
like that was not enough.
But to get to that point Ithink, exploring the world with
her and experiencing a newculture, a new like type of
society, and everything likethat it first of all, like it,

(42:16):
rejuvenated us.
Oh yeah, that's us.
Yeah, that was us in Japan.
We got to see the Gundam, weate amazing food, we met amazing
people.
Oh my god, I think that's thebest ice cream.

J.R. (42:29):
No, for sure.
I think I've had that beforetwo years ago, so good.

Kan (42:33):
Yeah, it's just us not worrying about anything except
how to have a good time.
And yeah, I think now we justwant to experience that type of
happiness you know, and so we'vebeen trying different things,
like we started picking uptennis and we still take dance
classes together, watch new TVshows, new things like that.

(42:55):
So, yeah, I'm sure we will find, or I will find, and she will
find something that kind offulfills another purpose.

J.R. (43:04):
Yeah, I like that a lot.
I feel like it's you know.
The purpose doesn't have to beI'm going to find a cure for
cancer right Right.
Your purpose could be like Iwant to enjoy my life with the
people I care about experienceand basically make the most of
my time and just feel happy andfulfilled, and I think that you
know I wouldn't underscore beingyour best, happiest self as a

(43:25):
way to improve the world as well, right?

Kan (43:27):
yeah, I think I'm also.
Yeah, I agree with the opinionwhere it's hard to fill everyone
else's cup if your cup is empty.
So I think you have to takecare of yourself first before
trying to do something likesuper grand, right?

J.R. (43:41):
put on your mask first before, or learn how to swim
before you try to save someoneelse.

Kan (43:46):
Yes, yes, and a fun fact, I I'm not confident in my ability
to swim.

J.R. (43:51):
Actually, there you go, but you can put on like a like
the mask and the airplane rightlike that drops down yes, yes,
yes, yes, you're good.

Kan (43:58):
thankfully, that metaphor works.
We'll stick with that metaphor,especially if I'm planning on
traveling.

J.R. (44:02):
Exactly, especially if you're going to be flying more
often.

Kan (44:09):
But yeah, I would say, your purpose does not have to be
something grand or anything youknow it could be.
You know, if you want to startlike a little like a vendor
booth for yourself and you wantto sell something you create, I
think you never know like youcan inspire other people to do
the same, and I think, round andround, that inspiration goes
and I think that truly makes theworld a better place.

J.R. (44:25):
So if you find something that makes you happy and that
does good for the world, thenhonestly, we could use a lot
more of that there are peoplewho just their purpose is to
just be a kind person to anyonethey interact with, whether it's
on the street, doing errands,living their life and that is no

(44:46):
less and no worse of a purposethan any other one.
This person, you know, touchedme in a way that, like, made me
want to be a good person, so Ithink maybe that's the call to
action.
Yes, cool, all right, we arepretty much it for the main
topics.
You ready for rapid firequestions?
I hope so.
This is the fun part.

Kan (45:02):
This is the fun part all right.

J.R. (45:03):
First one, and you already know it's coming, so billboard
question.
If you could put up a sign formillions of people to see, what
would it say?

Kan (45:11):
everyone sits up because of june to be honest, I've thought
about this like a lot and it'shard for me to come up actually
with something because itchanges.
But oh, yours is a changingbillboard.

J.R. (45:24):
You drive like a couple meters and it's like changes.

Kan (45:27):
Yeah, hopefully we have a higher budget for this one, but
the one that I guess, like thecommon sentiment they all have,
is really just to do good, andthat means different things to
different people.
Good, and that means differentthings to different people.
But I think if everyone in theworld just maybe was more
conscious of making the world abetter place for other people, I

(45:51):
think that would make oursociety better.
So maybe something like that,and then maybe like in the
subtext watch haikyuu orsomething.
There you go.

J.R. (45:59):
I was waiting for it.
Yeah, what is one of thehardest?

Kan (46:05):
challenges you faced in your life and what did you learn
from it?
Oh for sure, I think one of thebiggest and hardest challenges
I've faced in my life wasfeeling like I'm behind everyone
else.
There was a period of my lifewhere I wasn't sure, like, what
I wanted to do, and so I kind oflike set schooling back, and so
I graduated a lot later than mypeers and stuff.

(46:25):
But I think it all worked outand I think that journey taught
me that everyone runs the raceat their own pace and it's not
actually a race.
We're all in it together.
And yeah, I remember at the timethat I was like dang, like my
friends are like getting married, they're settling down,
starting families, getting ahouse, and I'm like trying to

(46:48):
study for this final.
Hey, it's tough out here, man.
Yeah, it is tough out here, butit was okay, it all worked out.
You know, I was able tograduate, thankfully, and and I
found a career path that I enjoyand so, yeah, we're still
figuring it out, just likeeveryone else is, but it's all
good.

J.R. (47:06):
Yeah, this might be the same, might be different, but
self-inflicted wound.
You have a story aboutsomething that's gone wrong in
your life and it's your ownfault.
You can't blame anyone else.

Kan (47:14):
Yeah, I would say one of my biggest self-inflicted wounds
is that I'm highly critical ofmyself.
I think, in some ways, I can belike a perfectionist and I like
to be in control of the outcomea lot, and so that is
definitely not like a healthymindset to have on yourself
especially, and so sometimes Ioverthink about what I say, how

(47:38):
I act, what I do, and so, yeah,I definitely have gotten to
situations where, like, I'moverthinking it for a day, a
month and it's like it can besomething so small, like I'm one
of those people that's like manshould.
I have said that and it's likesomething, not even like a big
deal.
It's like should I have askedabout this or checked up on this

(48:01):
person or whatever.
But really I just need to learnthat being myself is okay and
if it's not okay then I willeventually fix it.

J.R. (48:11):
I guess it's like the sentiment if you could give your
younger self advice, what wouldit be now?

Kan (48:18):
I think one of the things that I could have been better at
is being more intentional andhaving more focus.
I think maybe I was a littletoo go with the flow, maybe or
maybe I trusted that theuniverse would work out a little
too much, and maybe I could bemaybe in a better spot in some
ways if I had just been likelike leaned in that direction a

(48:41):
little bit yeah, or buckle downand really like this is
important, take care of thisearly so you don't have to worry
about it later.
But instead I like took care ofit later and now I have to worry
about it now, which is kind ofunfortunate, but that's just
life.
That's just how life goes.
You know, hindsight is 2020.
If we could see the then, thatwould be like the ultimate
superpower, we'd all be rich.

J.R. (49:00):
Yes, and then no one would be rich.
In the last few years, what newbelief, behavior or habit has
improved your life?

Kan (49:06):
What new?

J.R. (49:08):
If anything.

Kan (49:09):
There's definitely some.
I think I've been moreconscious of being physically
active, especially, I think, asyou get older, it's really
important to stretch.
Drink water especially, I think, as you get older, it's really
important to you know, stretchor drink water, water sleep,
yeah sleep is a really big one.
I think when you're youngeryou're like you know I it's like
one of those things where, likeyou, there's like three things

(49:30):
and you can only choose two ofthem.
And I say most people our agesacrifice sleep, which is very
unhealthy in hindsight, but youknow we're trying our best here.
So sleep more, be physicallyactive and, yeah, maybe try to
save money earlier, becausecompound interest is like a big
thing.

J.R. (49:50):
Oh it is what is it like?
The most powerful force in theuniverse or something like that,
something like?

Kan (49:54):
that behind love?

J.R. (49:55):
I don't know on the topic of sleep, like one of the hell
weeks for Kabo Modern, I stayedup for literally three days like
almost 72 hours.
I'm pretty sure my lifespanshortened after that.
It was seriously like modernpractice class in the morning,
worked at Jamba Juice, wentstraight back to practice class

(50:15):
in the morning, worked at JambaJuice practice again, and Ken
was like by the third day he'sstraight back to practice class
in the morning, worked at jambajuice practice again, and ken
was like by the third day.
He's like have you slept?
I'm like no, I have not slept,I'm running on energy drinks.

Kan (50:24):
Yeah, it's actually funny.
You mentioned that because Ivividly remember that
conversation and that experiencewhere I remember, because you
worked at jamba juice, you wouldmake yourself like an extra
large smoothie with the caffeineboost.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, and Ithink at the time our favorite
drink was the peanut buttermousse.

J.R. (50:41):
Yes, so good and so yeah, in hindsight that-.
Not healthy.
Yeah, not the best idea.
I might die before you can,just because of that week,
Because of my three-day nosleeping.
Yeah, that was a crazy time.

Kan (50:53):
I guess, for people who weren't a part of that time, I
think it's really good that youdon't have to be a part of that
time.
And for everyone who was a partof that time, I honestly can't
believe we did that and we'restill here, cherish the memory,
Cherish the memory.

J.R. (51:08):
Yeah, all right.
Who would?

Kan (51:12):
you call successful and how do you define success?
Oh, that is a good question.
I think a long time ago I wouldcall the stereotypical
financially secure, has theirown home, is whatever successful
.
But I think nowadays those areall important.
Don't get me wrong, it'sexpensive to live, for sure, but

(51:36):
I would say the people Iconsider the most successful
right now are the people who aremost happy with their life,
because life is hard, you know,it's really hard.
There's no like guidebook.
If you do these things likeyour life is set, it's different
for every person.
Everyone starts out in adifferent situation, everyone

(51:57):
has different desires.
And people who really carve outtheir life the way they want to
, in a way that everyone hasdifferent desires, and people
who really carve out their lifethe way they want to, in a way
that they're happy.
I respect a lot.
It doesn't have to be liketraditional, you know, but yeah,
like a lot of my friends whotook a lot of risks to pursue
the path they're on.
They are like the happiestpeople in the world, and I think

(52:19):
that's something everyone wantsto be happy, and so, more than
financial, more than prestigioushappiness, for me is what
defines someone's success.

J.R. (52:32):
I love that Happiness is the new currency.
Yes, All right, this is a newend of season three question.
But the normal question is ifyou knew you couldn't fail, what
would you try?
But this question is if youknew you would fail, what would
you be doing anyway?

Kan (52:46):
If I knew I would fail what would I be doing anyway?

J.R. (52:50):
I guarantee you will fail.
But what?

Kan (52:51):
would you still?
Do I think I would still dance.
Actually, I don't know whatfailure in dance would embody, I
guess, but I feel like, like Isaid earlier, like dance was
such a big part of my life and,oh my god, I was considering
choosing this video too whatyear is this?

(53:14):
This is 2012.
Oh, my god there you go.

J.R. (53:18):
That's the Ken, I know in 360p this is what it feels like,
I guess.

Kan (53:19):
That's the Ken I know In 360p.
This is what it feels like, Iguess, for people to pull up
your old videos.
Huh, this is a case of your ownmedicine.
Yeah, I think I would stilldance and I guess in a way I am.

(53:43):
To a younger Ken.
I am like failing.
I guess I don't consider myselflike a crazy, amazing,
superstar, famous dancer oranything, but I think I'm happy
with the dance experiences I'vehad, especially recently.
The people I get to dance withare all amazing.
The experiences I've hadfunnily enough I forgot to
mention earlier, but I got tocompete at Vibe this year- with
some friends from China, so thatwas kind of funny.
Representing a team from China,you're officially Chinese.

(54:05):
I am actually.

J.R. (54:06):
That's right, you're right , yeah, yeah, yeah, I totally
forgot.

Kan (54:08):
That was pretty cool and we managed to place at Vibe this
year, which is a completely newexperience to me.
Congrats man.

J.R. (54:21):
So this is what placing feels like.
Yes, yes, not with modern, notwhat anyone knows?

Kan (54:22):
yes, but a team from china, yeah, and it was an amazing
experience and so I guess, eventhough, like I never got to
travel the world with dance, youknow, it kind of worked out
that dance in a way traveled tome.
I didn't travel to dance, danceme, yeah, so that was a really
fun experience.
Maybe we could talk about itanother time probably.
But yeah, I would still dance,knowing I would fail still.

J.R. (54:46):
I like it All right.
What is one of the best or mostworthwhile investments you've
ever made in either time, money,energy, etc.

Kan (54:53):
I think one of the best investments I've made in terms
of my time is to make time toconnect with people, whether
that's to hang out, catch up,like at lunch or dinner or go
watch their show or somethinglike that, because everyone has
like a different passion andwhen you make the time to go out
and watch them showcase theirtalent or passion, it's just

(55:16):
really nice and it's fulfillingin terms of the humanity aspect
of life, and so I think, if I'mable to, I will always try to
make the time to show up forpeople, whether that's like a
birthday like a baby shower,wedding, like whatever it is.
I feel like life is short andfleeting, and so we should take

(55:39):
advantage of the time we havewith other people because,
ultimately, life is like asocial experience Unless like,
maybe, like you're a billionaireand then you buy an island and
live on your own.

J.R. (55:49):
There you go.
I like that and to underscorethat Ken is really a guy who
shows up for people, which Ireally admire and respect about
him.
So, yeah, he's practicing whathe preaches, so I appreciate
that.
Last two respect about him.
So, yeah, he's practicing whathe preaches, so I appreciate
that.
Last two favorite recentpurchase in the 50 to 100 range
that has impacted your life themost in the last six months I
actually bought a kindle in thelast year, but it doesn't have

(56:10):
to be kindle, it could be anytype of e-reader.

Kan (56:12):
I would recommend getting one, because after buying one, I
noticed that it was easier tojust get started on reading.
Whether that's like manga or abook.
Yeah, they go on sale quiteoften, so I would recommend one.
And what's the range?
The one the kindle I got was Ithink it was like a referred, it
was like a refurbished sale, soI actually got it for a hundred

(56:34):
dollars okay so that's like apretty good deal uh, in my
opinion it was a good deal.
I know it's a hundred dollarsfor, like an e-reader can be
considered expensive because 100, like life, is expensive, but I
know there's a lot cheaper ones, probably a 50 or less range.

J.R. (56:49):
And it's nice carrying all your books with you in a small
tablet nice, I think you're likethe second or third person to
say kindle, so I think maybe ifI get one or two more
recommendations I'll buy one,but I do.
Audio books obviously, yeah,but I like it all right.
Last one favorite books, movies, videos, articles, media or
anything that you recommend orshare the most, besides haikyuu
and any anime we mentioned okay.

Kan (57:10):
So for a book, I would recommend atomic habits.
That's a book I've read two orthree times.
I try to reread it every time Ifeel like I'm in a ruts or I'm
feeling lazy, because itdefinitely gets me motivated
again.
In terms of movie, I wouldrecommend your name, which is
like the anime movie yes, yourname, my name which is an anime
movie we talked about earlier inthe podcast and I think it

(57:33):
really showcases the power ofanime as a medium.
It released in theaters and alot of people went out to watch
it and said it was amazing.

J.R. (57:40):
The soundtrack is great.

Kan (57:41):
Yes, the soundtrack was made by Radwimps, who I had the
privilege of seeing in concertlive when they came here with
TIFF, and so their Japanesegroup yes, Okay sorry so they
did the whole soundtrack Game.
I would recommend StardewValley.
What else movie I did anime?

J.R. (57:59):
I did any media that you recommend or share.

Kan (58:04):
I think, tv show.
My girlfriend and I arewatching the Pits.
If you work in healthcare, Ithink it's very relevant to you.
It's like a medical drama andeach episode is like one hour of
a shift and so it's pretty good.
What about my platform?
I think it's on max right now,I believe yeah, cool, nice

(58:24):
thanks, man.

J.R. (58:25):
Thanks for recapping that so I can take notes later on.
All right, we are at the endingquestion, so gratitude shout
out to my mom for teaching methis.
Ken, what are you grateful for?

Kan (58:34):
I guess the first thing is I'm grateful for everyone who
has been a part of my journey.
Whether you feel like it's inbig or small amounts, everyone
who's came into my life hasaffected who I am today.
More recent gratitudes I'm verygrateful to Homies, which is
the team from China that I gotto perform at Vibe with or
compete at Vibe with.
I'm grateful to my CultureShock family for making me feel

(58:57):
seen and still welcoming me backthis year and allowing me to be
myself and to have an outlet todance.
I'm grateful for Tiff, mygirlfriend, who is an amazing
partner and I honestly would notbe able to do anything I do now
without her, and she has beenlike my rock and foundation, my
support, and she really believesin me way more than I believe

(59:21):
in myself, and so to havesomeone like that in your life
is honestly such a blessing.
Yeah, I'm grateful I couldhonestly go on and on Kava to
who like really shaped me as adancer in my early years, for
bringing me and JR together, forbringing a lot of my friends
together to this day.
So, lizzy, if you're somehowwatching this like you really

(59:45):
changed the trajectory of mylife by introducing that
community of dance to me.
I know I probably tell you alot, but I'll never stop
expressing how grateful I amthat, because of you, like, all
these doors open for me and it'scrazy full circle, because
Lizzie was on culture shock andso for me to join it now or to

(01:00:07):
be on it now, it's like a trulylike full circle moment.
And so, yeah, friends, family,everyone thank you so much for
being a part of my life.
To JR, thank you so much forhaving me.
It means a lot that you askedme to be on this podcast.
And, yeah, thank you toeveryone watching, taking your
time out of your day to listenor watch to hear what I have to

(01:00:27):
say.
I'm very grateful.

J.R. (01:00:29):
Thank you.
You made it this far.
You got your kudos All right.
Final ask from the audience andor final takeaways you'd like
them to have from thisconversation I think maybe one
thing that wasn't mentionedenough was like it's okay to ask
for help.

Kan (01:00:46):
I don't think anyone goes through life on their own power.
I think it really takes avillage.
So I think everyone out therehas some type of support system,
and if you unfortunately do not, then out there has some type
of support system, and if youunfortunately do not, then
finding one will make just lifeso much better, I think, because
I cannot imagine living my lifewithout the support I've had.

(01:01:09):
So yeah, I hope you have a goodday watching whoever is
watching this or listening tothis, and yeah, if you haven't
watched anime, watch.
Watch Haikyuu.

J.R. (01:01:18):
Yes, definitely All right, Ken.
So last thing is where can wefind you?
If people want to check outwhat you're up to or connect or
anything like that?
Where can?

Kan (01:01:25):
they find you Just probably my Instagram is probably the
easiest it's K-A-N-D-A-A-N-G.
Feel free, if you have anyquestions or comments or
anything, to DM me.
I'll try to get back to you assoon as I can.
And, yeah, make sure you likeand subscribe to 1000 Gurus.
Thank, you.

J.R. (01:01:43):
Yes, I never call to action, so I appreciate that.
Yeah, if you have any thoughts,recommendations or even
referrals or people you feelwould be good on the show, feel
free to comment anywhere on anyof our posts.
I'll see it for sure.
If you want to give Ken a shoutout, he's tagged in everything,
so feel free to glaze him alittle bit Cool.
All right, ken, we've reachedthe end.
Thank you so much for this talk.

(01:02:04):
I really appreciate it.
My gratitude goes out to you.
I learned a lot and I think theaudience has taken away a lot
from this.
So I appreciate you.
And, for my final sign off,thank you guys for being here.
I really appreciate it.
Reminder to always be kind toother people, especially
yourself.
Reminder that you can alwayslearn something from someone if
you take the time to listen.
So thanks for being here.

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#30: Kan Dang - “That Moment” in Anime, Finding Purpose through Service, and Living Life Fully

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.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}#30: Kan Dang - “That Moment” in Anime, Finding Purpose through Service, and Living Life Fully