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Varsha Narayanan, our next pathbreaker, Korean Entertainment Writer and Journalist at Evolve Media, develops content on a wide range of topics, including movies, TV shows, Korean Entertainment, Anime, Indian Entertainment, and more. 

Varsha talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from the Interview Portal about how her exposure to the South Korean boy band BTS and other profound influences, marked the beginning of her exploration into Korean pop culture.

For students, shut out voices that aren’t beneficial to you. Do not fall into the pressures of the world and its people. Keep pushing towards what you want but at the same time, don’t rush.

Varsha, can you share your background for our young readers?  

I was five years old when I shifted to Vadodara, Gujarat. I grew up in a city rich in culture as well as modernity, shaping my values. I spent more than half of my school life in Kendriya Vidyalaya. I took up Science, not because I wanted to pursue Engineering, IIT, Medicine, or any science-related field. I knew it wasn’t my calling. I purely wanted to study it because I liked learning the subject. Since I was in the eighth grade, I knew I wanted to pursue journalism. My initial interest was in Science Journalism as it was still a very niche field back then and given my initial curiosity in both fields. 

What did you do for graduation/postgraduation?

After school, I realized I lacked perspective towards the world. I also knew that I wanted to build awareness, for myself, about issues that affected the world, both in a good and a bad way. English Literature couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. I took up Bachelors in English Literature at St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad. During this time, I gained significant knowledge through books about the world and the system in general. During my Bachelors, I wanted to try and see if I could pursue my dream of Journalism. So, I interned with a couple of news publications only to realize that my dream was stronger than ever. I then took up a Masters in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bangalore. 

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional and cool career in Culture/Writing?

With journalism, there was no one influence that I can think of. I grew up watching mainstream journalists reporting news on television, but I was more interested and intrigued by reporters on the ground, getting and giving a taste of the reality. As a kid still in school, I think that gave me the push to tell stories. 

My parents definitely played a huge role in shaping my career towards journalism. My mother herself worked with news and radio publications back in the 1980s. She would go from house to house and conduct surveys. My father holds the highest regard for news and the responsibilities we have as a citizen. I remember him asking me to analyze the 2014 elections and write a report on the same. My parents always pushed me to write so they’ve been the biggest mentors. My teachers and professors in school and colleges motivated the creative side of me and urged me to understand the importance of research and the context of a news story. I remember my classes in college being filled with important discussions and conversations that continue to help me in my personal and professional career. 

It was a specific event that urged me to pursue journalism. It was the 2008 Mumbai Attacks. As terrified as I was watching the live coverage of what was happening, my respect for journalists on the ground grew as they reported the events. Their mindset and determination to potentially risk their lives to provide the news and do their jobs inspired me. Since then, I always looked up to journalists who bravely stepped up to cover incidents that posed risks to their lives. I was still very young, but this incident lit the fire in me. 

Several key turning points led me to pursue what I am doing today. Until my Bachelors, I knew I wanted to pursue mainstream journalism. Reporting on city news, politics, economics, and more during my internship only solidified my ambition. However, it all changed when I pursued my Masters. During my first year, I was exposed to pop culture, and I found myself interested in the range of topics I was able to cover. I understood how what people consume could form their beliefs, values, and behavior. At the same time, I came across the South Korean boy band BTS, which only marked the beginning of my exploration into Korean pop culture. I grew curious about fan culture, traditions, K-dramas, K-pop, and delved deep into the Hallyu Wave. 

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

I was very clear that I wanted to do journalism. I transitioned to pop culture and then Korean entertainment largely due to my growing interest in the same. However, reaching where I am currently hasn’t been easy. 

During my time in college, I interned with publications like DNA and The Indian Express. I grew interested in pop culture and research, which led me in a slightly different direction. I didn’t start my professional career by pursuing journalism.

I knew I wanted to get into Journalism, so the only way I knew back then was to try my hand at print media as I was also confident in my writing skills. My first internship was at DNA where I reported on city news and mostly did some translation work. While interning with The Indian Express, Mumbai, I pursued more of city news reporting and attended press conferences. My internship with The Indian Express, Ahmedabad also focused on city news, but I also got the opportunity to delve deeper into assembly elections, petrol prices, art and culture, demonetization, and more. I had a very wholesome experience with these publications as I participated in different areas of reporting. 

While doing my Masters, I battled mental health issues. I took a break for a year and focused on getting better, a decision I took with the help of my parents and professors. I returned to pursue my second year of Masters, determined to see it through. It was 2020 and we still had two more exams to go before finally graduating. However, COVID hit. This only made things more difficult.

We all headed home, hoping that this was temporary. However, we took the rest of our exams and subsequently graduated from home. COVID made it difficult for me to get a job. Given the harsh conditions and scarcity of jobs, I took whatever opportunities I could get. While I needed to make money, I also didn’t want to sit idle. I wanted to stay busy and occupied to remain distracted from what was happening. 

I took a job as an academic associate at a city university, while also working part-time at a start-up. I left university and worked full-time with start-ups. Once COVID eased in 2022, I decided it was time to pursue what I wanted. But getting a job while staying home wasn’t easy. That’s when I came across LinkedIn and decided to look for jobs on the platform. I landed my first job as a writer and journalist at Sportskeeda. 

I knew I wanted to write. I knew I wanted to tell stories. The platform enabled me to begin writing and I was really grateful for it. 

Sportskeeda also has a pop culture section so I contributed mainly to American and UK reality shows like Real Housewives, Love Island, Bachelor/Bachelorette, Top Chef, The Kardashians, and many others. I also covered live award shows like the Oscars, Grammys, and more. I also interviewed stars from many of these reality shows. I tracked fan reactions, wrote news stories and listicles as well. It was a diverse field of work. 

At Sportskeeda, I worked as a Reality TV writer and journalist. For the next one and a half years, I built my profile as a writer and conducted interviews. I had incredible mentors who guided me every step of the way. As I grew confident, both professionally and a bit financially, I realized I could now pursue my interest in Korean culture. This began when I enrolled myself online to learn the Korean language. As fate would have it, I joined my current company and began to write for Korean Entertainment. It’s been a ride full of ups and downs. However, I’ve always followed my interests and that has helped me come this far in life. Regardless of the multiple jobs I’ve taken up over the past four to five years, I’ve always believed in giving my all every single day. I work hard and ensure I’m putting my best foot forward. Every day has been a learning experience, one that I don’t take for granted.

How did you get your first break?

One of the most valuable things I learned from people around me was to make use of LinkedIn as a networking platform. I got my first break through LinkedIn and since then I’ve used the platform to network with fellow professionals in the field. I now advise others to create a LinkedIn profile and use it to voice their skill sets as well as network with people to understand their respective fields. However, applying to the job is just one facet of it. I worked hard through tests and interviews to secure a job. Given this was an important chance for me to do what I love to do, I was confident about my skills and showcased them. I worked hard to build my profile and sought help from my fellow employees.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1:

Wanting to write and actually putting your stories out there for the public to read are two different things. It was initially difficult for me to understand the process behind it. I wrote with the understanding I had, from what I’d learned during my educational journey. However, my profession exposed me to various writing styles, proofreading, understanding the context of the story, how to cater to an audience and so much more. While the transition to professional writing was difficult, I took feedback in all forms. I sought help from my editors and experienced writers in my team to grasp the process. They graciously helped me navigate this process.

Challenge 2: 

Working from home has its merits and demerits. While it’s easier to work in a space you are comfortable with and could save up a lot of money, it also prevents you from other worthwhile experiences. The only way I could address this challenge was to create these new experiences. I took up research that exposed me to different conferences where I could present my papers. This also helped me interact with a wide variety of people. LinkedIn helped me network with professionals, collaborate, and learn from them as well. I took up the Korean language to aid me in my writing as well as help me in this field in the future.  

Challenge 3:

Dealing with setbacks in my professional journey was initially difficult for me. I understood this was because I never asked questions, fearing judgment. However, as I progressed in my career, I realized asking questions wherever necessary was an important step for growth. Since I was a kid, I believed in helping others but never thought of seeking help. My battle with mental health and my professional career enabled me to ask for help. It also made me understand that there are people out there to help and guide you. You just have to ask for it!

Where do you work now? 

I currently work at a media company, where I work as a Korean entertainment writer and journalist. I lead a team of immensely talented and skillful people, equally passionate about doing what they love to do. 

I work at ComingSoon, which is one of the publications under Evolve Media. The company has several other publications as well. We cater to audiences around the world, where we provide readers with a wide range of topics, including movies, TV shows, Korean Entertainment, Anime, Indian Entertainment, and more. 

I work as a Korean Entertainment writer as part of ComingSoon. We mostly cover Korean pop music, dramas and variety shows. We write news stories, trending topics and also have conducted celebrity interviews. 

What problems do you solve?

As a leader, I communicate with my team members on what kind of stories we are putting out for the audience to read. I assign them a few stories to write. Our job requires looking at what is trending and building impactful stories for our viewers to read. It is an everyday task where we evaluate what worked for us and what didn’t. 

What skills are needed for your role? How did you acquire the skills?

One has to be passionate and well-acquainted with the field to write about it. I only achieved it through years of research, writing practice, and gaining as much experience in the field as I could. I still keep learning new things every day that help me become better in the way I approach the field. Reading, researching, and writing regularly immensely helps me with my job.

What is a typical day like?

A typical day begins with exercise, followed by a good breakfast to keep my body and mind ready. My work begins at 9 am and ends at 5 pm. I try to remain focused on work during this period, trying to write good stories and collaborate with my team members. I log out by 5 pm and focus on spending time with my family. I’ve realized the importance of a good work-life balance. I am also grateful to be working in a space that also understands the same. I listen to music, read books, or browse the internet and social media for a bit. I make it a point to sleep by 10:30 p.m. 

What is it you love about this job?

The fact that my passion drives me to work every single day is the primary reason I love my job. I get to do what I love, which is to write, tell stories, and ensure that my audience is satisfied. Another aspect of the job that I love is that I work with equally motivated and driven professionals, who love their job as much as I love mine. We exchange ideas, are open to suggestions, help each other out and are there for each other on a personal level as well. Working with them has been such an enriching experience. 

How does your work benefit society? 

Writing about Korean culture, including K-drama and K-pop gives our audience a wholesome platform so that they can enjoy reading our stories. Moreover, fans who are really passionate read our work thoroughly. Given how Korean dramas and music give comfort to fans, they can relax and enjoy our stories. Exposing themselves to these gives our audience a variety of perspectives that they can go forward and share with their friends and family. We hold a shared love for the topic and that creates a meaningful interaction between us and the audience where they can share their thoughts and concerns freely. Our stories hold no biases and only state facts for the audience to shape their own conclusions. 

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you! 

Last year, I presented a paper on how BTS plays a huge part in improving the Indian fanbase’s mental health at the 4th BTS INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For the longest time, I’ve been a BTS fan myself and have had the opportunity to interact with other fans. They’ve, just like me, gone through mental health struggles and have found solace in BTS. So for me to merge the two things I love, BTS and mental health, in a conference about BTS? Life couldn’t get any better than that. I think I will hold this memory dear to my heart for the rest of my life.  

Your advice to students based on your experience?

The most important advice I would like to give students is to shut out voices that aren’t beneficial to you. You know yourself the best, so always listen to your heart. Do not fall into the pressures of the world and its people. Everyone will always have an opinion, feedback, criticism or suggestion. Understand what’s best for you and flush the rest out. It is never too late to figure out what you want. Many of the people I know are still figuring it out. So can you! There is no right time to land a dream job, so it’s okay to experiment. The world is filled with opportunities, so feel free to explore. Understand your strengths and keep building from there. There is no one right answer. Take it one day at a time and seek help from professionals in the field you are interested in. There are many to help you out there. Health matters most, both physical and mental. Ensure you prioritize that before anything else. Keep pushing towards what you want but at the same time, don’t rush. All the best! 

Future Plans?

I am grateful that I have been able to do what I love until now. I hope to continue writing and telling stories. One thing I’ve learned is to not make big plans for the future as life is unpredictable. However, I want to keep building my profile, writing, and exploring more. I am currently learning the Korean language, so one of my plans is to keep working towards perfecting the language in the long run. I want to work with my team for as long as possible and create impactful stories for our loyal audience to read. I would also like to manage my finances better, so I’m looking forward to learning more on that note as well. I also wish to travel more in the future. 

THANK YOU!