Right Here, Right Now

Introduce yourself!
My name is Japh, short for Japheth. I work as a videographer, doing video editing and photography. I’m also a dancer and a dance teacher. I’ve been dancing for nearly ten years — or a little bit more than that, I think? But I know that I started when I was 18. I enjoy expressing the way that I feel with dance — emotions and things that you can’t really put into words. It’s about embodying what the music I relate to the most is saying, and telling a story through my movement.

In terms of pop culture and music, what’s your favourite era?
Well, I’m someone who lives in the present, preparing for the future without looking back on the past too much. So the current time that I am in right now is the best era for me to pursue everything that I want.

Stylistically, where do you draw your fashion inspiration from?
Functionally, I like to dress for comfort. Style-wise, I draw a lot of my inspiration from Korean fashion and streetwear. I do prefer outfits that are in neutral tones, such as beige, brown, and a little bit of cream. That’s what I rock day to day.

You have been kidnapped by aliens, and they wish to understand the human spirit. What movies are you recommending to them? 
Interstellar! That movie really changed my perspective on how small human time is, and how we should make the most of our best moments. Inception too! It’s a pretty cool movie about the topic of lucid dreaming and how we can put into reality what we envision, showing how powerful the human mind can be.

Lastly — it’s not a movie, but a series — Squid Game. I think the hidden messages in the show reflect what the world and society are really like, whether it’s the darker sides of the world or the brighter aspects of society. It’s a really good show for us to sit down, digest, and reflect on how we are as humans.

What kinds of music do you like?
I enjoy pop music. Recently, I’ve gotten into K-pop and BTS. I’ve been really into their latest album, ARIRANG. You can really see how they have grown through the album, both with their identities as individuals and as a group. Somehow the music and each track really speak to me — energy-wise, story-wise, and just the beats themselves. And I’m going for the concert!

A lot of times, people just let music go in one ear and out the other, just absorbing the feeling. This time around, however, I would say the lyrics of each track really tell a story. These songs really draw me in a lot.

What’s a perspective you wished more people had?
I think one thing more people could practice is trying to live in the present, in whatever you do. With how fast-paced everything is in our society, everyone wants to know when the next big thing in life is coming. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I think we should not be completely led by it. Just being more present, taking each day at a time, and knowing that you tried your best to do what you set out to achieve each day — that’s important.

Sometimes, you don’t need extravagant plans or big conversations. Just being in an environment to feel each other’s presence is enough to make these days more memorable.