Make It With You

1

Hello, I'm Monique Hastings Yang-born of two worlds, half American, half Korean. My mother hails from Boston, while my father comes from Korea. I have two brothers: Mark, the eldest, and Joseph, the youngest. Mark, a graduate of Harvard Law School, is now happily married with three children-Zoe, Emma, and Lucas. Joseph, my younger brother, pursued business at London Business School and now works part-time as a photographer for some of the world's most renowned fashion magazines. And then there's me, the second eldest. At 28, I'm still navigating the tension between my personal desires and the weight of my family's expectations.

I graduated from Juilliard, where I studied dance and music, but now I find myself in my fourth year of business school at Columbia University. The shift from the arts to business feels strange-some might call it genius, but to me, it feels more like an unspoken obligation. My parents-immensely wealthy, owning an empire that spans continents-believe I'm destined to take the reins of their legacy. Yang Corporation, based in Korea, includes diverse branches like a law firm in Boston, hotel chains across the US and Asia, and, of course, Yang Entertainment. And within that, the glitzy world of K-pop, actors, actresses, models-all tethered together under the vast umbrella of our family's name. I feel both humbled and trapped. My heart yearns for the freedom to dance, to choreograph-something raw and honest. Instead, I'm about to inherit a world that requires a different kind of strength.

My parents, understanding the fragility of time, wish to retire early and embrace life with their grandchildren. They've given their hearts to this empire for decades, and now they seek peace, a time to savor family. Yet, they've placed their hopes on me. Mark, unwilling to take on the mantle of CEO, and Joseph, uninterested in managing Yang Entertainment, have both declined the role. In their eyes, my degree in dance and music is "tied to entertainment," and with my near-completion of business school, it seems I'm the logical successor. In a few months, they plan to announce their retirement, and with it, my coronation as the new CEO of Yang Corporation. A role I never wanted, yet one I cannot avoid.

But there's a struggle within me, a quiet one that gnaws at my soul: I don't speak Korean. Despite the fact that my father is Korean, the language has never been easy for me. The culture is mine by blood, but I often feel like an outsider. I've tried, but the words have eluded me, and the guilt of it weighs heavy. Yet, I'm fluent in Italian, German, Japanese, and some French-a reflection of my passion for learning, though it only seems to deepen the distance between me and my heritage.

Of course, I agreed to my parents' decision. After all, what else could I do? But there was one condition: before they announce my new role, I needed time to understand the company, its culture, its people. I proposed working at Yang Entertainment, as a choreographer-discreetly. No one would know who I was, no bodyguards, no fanfare. I wanted to immerse myself in the world of our artists, to understand the lives behind the headlines, and to find my place in it all, far from the spotlight. My parents agreed, with the understanding that I would learn Korean. So, I made a deal with myself: I would do this, I would learn, and I would do it my way.

SK

Home. It's strange to call this place home, a country I only half understand, a language I only partially speak. But here I am, sitting on the couch, reading about Yang Entertainment-the company that will one day bear my name. The artists under its banner, the history I need to know, the people whose lives I will soon help shape. I've followed them on Instagram, seen them on television, read the articles, but it's all surface-level. I need to dive deeper. I need to truly understand.

Yang Entertainment is more than just a business; it's a cultural force. Founded by Yang Kim Jae and Margarette Hastings, it stands as a beacon in the South Korean entertainment industry. From its humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse in music, talent management, and media production, it has touched lives across the globe. Its artists-Sechs Kies, Big Bang, Dara, Akdong Musician, Winner, iKon, Blackpink, and Treasure-are more than stars; they're icons, shaping the pulse of modern pop culture. The actors too-Kang Dong-won, Choi Ji-woo, Cha Seung-won, Lee Sung-kyung, Jin Kyung, Yoo In-na-bring depth to the world that Yang Entertainment inhabits. This is the world I'm about to step into, but it feels like an overwhelming weight on my shoulders.

And then, there's the business side: Yang Entertainment's records are distributed across continents-through Yang & Hastings, Kakao M, BEC-TERO, Tencent, and major global labels like Interscope and Universal. The reach is vast, the influence far-reaching. It's a legacy I am expected to uphold, and yet, all I can think about is the gap between who I am and the person I need to become to carry it forward.

I closed the folder, exhaling deeply. "Mom, this is too much. I can't do this. Can I just go back to the US?"

My mom's laugh was soft, understanding. "Oh, poor Monique," she said, kissing my forehead.

"Unnie, that's Blackpink!" Zoe, my niece, pointed at the picture. "I love them," she said with a gleam in her eyes.

"Yes, baby. I know you do," I smiled at her, feeling the warmth of family.

"Mom, is Dad at the office? I'm already late for my first day."

"It's alright, honey," she replied. "We own the company. It's okay to be late, sometimes. Come on, we'll go together. I'll ask the driver to prepare the car."

"But Mom, remember our deal? If they see us together, people will get suspicious. I'll drive myself and we'll meet later at home. Don't worry. I'll be careful." I packed my things, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me even as I tried to reassure her.