Meet the Nomads – Juno Kim

Juno Kim is the first (and the only) South Korean Travel blogger that I know. I’ve been following her for quite some time and find her quest very inspiring.

Juno also left her job to pursue travelling. A feat that is very difficult to do because of the expectation of the society surrounding us.

Juno, a Mechanical Engineer by profession left her cubicle to follow her passion which is travelling. She’s a firm believer of serendipity, an astronomy enthusiast, and loves living a passionate life. Currently, on a quest to find the place where she can call ‘home’.

Get to know Juno more and vist her blog at Runaway Juno.

Here’s my short interview with Juno Kim.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

“I’ve been traveling a lot since I was a kid, and during my school years. The biggest moment was right after my first backpacking trip to New Zealand. I felt that I’ve grown after the short backpacking, and I liked every aspects travel offered. It is more than just travelling; it is learning about the world and having a broader view.”

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

“I got lost in Beppu, Japan. It would have been okay if it hadn’t been in the middle of the night. I spent so much time searching for a spa place up in the mountains and it was already dark by the time I got there. There were no sidewalks, cars were whizzing by me, and the mountain roads were curvy. On top of that, I couldn’t find the right path to the bus station. Since I had a hard time finding the place, getting back wasn’t easy either.”

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

“The most recent road trip to New England, USA. It was officially my first travel as a full time travel blogger. That three-month travel was a very important transition period for me, and I’m grateful that I chose to be in America. It was a good place to be because of the culture, the diversity, the food, the people, the nature, everything. A lot happened during the three months that I was there, and I’ve learned a lot. Personally and professionally. Of course, I had so much fun whilst I’m learning more about blogging business. It was a great trip, overall.”

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?

“How to be independent. I believe that we have to be independent to be happy. I have to know myself before I get to know anything else. Before looking for someone or something to make me happy, I have to know what could make me happy. People are naturally comfortable with a passive lifestyle. It is so simple. But it is also possible that people who have not much experience in life might be stuck in a vicious circle. Traveling taught me that. In my first backpacking trip, it was the first time that I was totally on my own. Only I can save myself, and if I failed, it was my responsibility. It’s so simple and I’ve realized that on the road.”

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

“Passion and desire. I’m a passionate person. I have a thirst for knowledge. The world is the best place to learn. Even on a short trip, I expose myself to a lot of learning opportunities every single day. People often don’t understand when I say ‘I want to learn more, and I’ve learned a lot out in the world.’ But that is true, and that is why I travel. I want to know how people live in other places, how we think differently, and how everything is the same and yet different. Traveling is living, not just than having fun.”

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“Julia Child. Not only was she a good cook, but she was also an inspiration. She was a late bloomer and frontier woman. Through her book “My life in France”, we can see how her life was in France, and I would love to see the world at her side. She and I are in totally different generation, but how she thought in the hard life is surprisingly same as mine.”

Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?

“I still have many wonderful places to go, but I’d say New Zealand and Malaysia. I would love to go back and spend more time in both countries. The reason why is same: the people and the nature. The two are very different countries, yet have a lot in common. They cherish leisure time, people are laid back, they love nature and they enjoy tea. It’s very easy going.”

What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?

“Take it easy. It’s easy to over schedule if you don’t have much experience in travel because you want to make the best out of the time you have. But you have to take a break between the itineraries. Try to have a do-nothing day once in a while. Just hanging out in the village, talking to people in the shop, walking around the little streets, and just enjoying the surroundings. Sightseeing isn’t the only option.”

What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?

“Last winter in Geomun Island, I danced by myself on the beach. Thank God no one saw me.”

What do you think about yourself?

“I’m passionate to people and things I love, I’m stubborn and peculiar, extremely curious, have odd sense of humor, multitasker, and tall.”

“Runaway Juno is story of the world through my eyes, with a mixture of photography and video. As a second language speaker, cubic farm escaper, amateur photographer and video editor, I’m trying to share the world thru my blog.” – Juno Kim

Editor’s Note: All pics are provided by Juno.

Next: Roy Abraham of Roy Marvelous. Previously: Jeffrey Jung of Career Break Secrets. For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.