Today we’d like to introduce you to Chong Kim.
Hi Chong, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’m a survivor of Human Trafficking, I’m also an author of Broken Silence which became the inspiration for the film, Eden starring Beau Bridges and Jamie Chung. The film was released in 2013 and was nominated for 9 film festivals and won 7, globally. Through my own experience in being trafficked, I have also become a consultant for the FBI, and Law Enforcement in various states in CA, NY, Atlanta, GA; OK, and TX. I’ve also consulted on various cases with other nonprofits, legal advocacy, and other attorneys associated with the cases. Being a speaker and educator in regards to this topic, Human Trafficking. The general public knows that this is a bad thing and a serious problem, there still lies a massive disconnect between what it is, what it means, and how it impacts each of us on a visceral level. From this discovery, I have worked for years to launch a scripted TV drama series about Human Trafficking called, ‘Every 40 Seconds’. I want to start a nationwide conversation that could cultivate in supporting organizations and charities to improve and strengthen the lives of our children safety and manifest a healthier lifestyle for their future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not, originally the series title was, ‘Save Me’. A few of my friends in the local film industry believed in my project and tried to help me find additional help, funding, pitching and etc. With very little money to use it was very difficult. I had pitched the original script, which needed a lot of work and I didn’t have the funds to find a seasoned script writer at the time. When I pitched to various networks, producers or investors I would hear nothing back. In 2017, I had the opportunity to meet with actor/producer Bill Bellemy in Dallas, TX. I pitched to him my series ‘Save Me,’ while I was still going with my pitch, he saw the ‘Every 40 Seconds’ written on my bracelet and asked me, “What is Every 40 Seconds?” I explained to him that according to National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the FBI, every 40 seconds a child in America goes missing. Then he sat up and said, “That NEEDS to be your title.” Ever since I changed the title, I was receiving amounts of feedback, critics and volunteers jumping on board to help me, then I met my scriptwriter, Ken Offricht who is a registered WGA Writer and he agreed to rewrite the script to make it marketable in an offering to get paid for his writing once we get picked up and to keep him as my main writer.
That was just the beginning and then we received donations to move forward with our project, but shortly after the Pandemic had hit, we had to wait and that was the most difficult part. Now we are slowly rebuilding the project and putting all the budgets together from making the sizzle reel to marketing, admin, and pitching costs. I am going to launch the series no matter what. I’ve waiting this long and I’m not giving up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m grateful to have survived what I had to go through and to utilize my pain to turn into something amazing and that is to educate the public and help their lives be safer than what mine was. Being able to be a speaker and contribute my time, energy, my books, and my words to various organizations, churches, charities and etc. Also being an author I’m able to donate boxes of books to help grassroots nonprofits to sell and keep all the funds for their charity. I never imagine how my film, Eden inspired so many people and I just couldn’t stop there, I wanted to continue with that education through the lens of the film, by creating a drama series about Human Trafficking. Without the generous donations, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thank you.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Oh yes, waiting and sitting still is the most difficult part, but in the aftermath of the Covid Crisis, you begin to see who has truly been your support system and who was just there to make a name for themself. It’s opened my eyes and I also got to do a lot of self-reflection which helped me grow within.
Pricing:
- $20.0o book for Broken Silence along with free gifts.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iamchongkim.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamchongkim
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamchongkim
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/iamchongkim
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/lvQPAxs5MoI
Image Credits
Gurie Sheffield
