Johnny Kim, born in Seoul, Korea, in 1968, and moved at an early age to
Singapore, growing up in an exclusive neighborhood known as Queen
Astrid Park. A close neighbor and family friend was Sir Run Run Shaw.
Kim's family migrated to the United States via Garfield Heights, Ohio
in 1976, then took the trip to the west coast, and lived in San
Francisco, California, in 1978. Kim, coming from a talented musical
family, was quickly fascinated with the music and film industry, and
while in High School at Westmoor High in Daly City, formed his first
musical bands, playing lead guitar.
In addition to his musical talents, his athletic ability allowed him to
develop a strong love for the martial arts, and under the careful
guidance of Grandmaster In Hyuk Suh, founder of Kuk Sool Won, Kim
became a martial arts instructor from 1986 to 1989. Having developed
his physical body, he decided, with the same determination, to develop
his mind, and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to study Oriental philosophy
working at Kualoa Ranch during the day.
Still infactuated with the entertainment industry, Johnny Kim moved
back to Los Angeles from Hawaii in 1991, to pursue his dreams of acting
and eventually producing films. With only $50 in his pocket, knowing no
one in the city of Los Angeles, and wanting to prove to himself that he
could achieve his dreams, Kim was destitute. Having never lost sight of
his goals, Kim took to the streets and remained single-minded, earning
a few dollars here and there upon which to eat when he could, often
sleeping on the streets. His tenacity finally paid off when, nearly
three years later, he landed his first acting gig: He was casted as
Korean Seaman, Chulso Lee on the major motion picture, Outbreak,
starring Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo.
Thanks to his first role in Outbreak, Kim was able to join the Screen
Actors' Guild. Kim then earned a part as a Korean Newscaster in another
mega blockbuster film called Independence Day; where he was credited as
Derek Kim, an alternative name he used until 2002. After being nearly
homeless for three years, Kim could see what he thought were his
greatest dreams coming true!
For Johnny Kim, acting and music was not enough. He believes in
creating one's own destiny, and in simple, hard work and long hours. In
2002, he formed Dereko Entertainment, a feature film and music
production company, with financial support from Taiwanese investors.
Johnny directed Raspberry & Lavender: The Lavender Girl in 2004. He is
now working on a sequel called Raspberry & Lavender: Diaries of a
Lavender Girl, based on his comics.
