1. What was the moment, life event or inspiration behind starting your brand?

After becoming a mom at 24, I faced severe postpartum hair loss, debilitating hormonal migraines, and was diagnosed with postpartum Hashimoto’s — something I feel isn’t talked about enough. Searching for a natural way to heal, I turned to traditional Korean medicinal practices and discovered that much of what I was experiencing stemmed from internal inflammation. Through holistic wellness and reducing inflammation, I was able to ease my symptoms almost completely. I created the Dupï method by blending the best of Korean wellness traditions with my background in spa and esthetics, with the goal of offering others the same sense of restoration and ease that I found.

2. How has your AAPI heritage and culture shaped and informed your brand?

As a Korean American, I grew up surrounded by the healing traditions of Korean medicine, known as Hanbang. Whenever I got sick, my mom would instinctively turn to natural remedies — like doing acupressure on my hands and feet to boost circulation when I had indigestion — and it always helped. These traditions were woven into my upbringing alongside more conventional medicine, shaping my belief that our bodies have energetic pathways (meridians) that directly impact our health. This deep respect for holistic healing is at the heart of Dupï, where we blend Korean wellness philosophies with modern scalp and skin health practices to offer a more complete, preventative approach to care.

3. Is there a specific TCM ingredient (or practice) that you use in your products that you are most excited about right now, and why?

I’m especially excited about our use of thermo-activated liquid kaolin, a modern innovation rooted in the detoxifying principles of traditional Korean and Chinese medicine. In TCM, white kaolin (bái táo tǔ) is valued for its ability to clear dampness and heat — two underlying causes of imbalance in both the skin and scalp. We’ve adapted this ancient earth element into a highly bioavailable form that activates with body heat, helping purify buildup, balance the scalp microbiome, and promote healthier growth without aggressive stripping. It’s an example of how Dupï blends centuries-old healing wisdom with new material science to create scalp care for the future.

4. As an AAPI woman, what is one piece of advice you wish you knew earlier surrounding haircare?

I wish I had known earlier that caring for my scalp was really a form of preventative care for my whole body. In Korean wellness, the scalp is seen as an extension of internal health. So when hormones are out of balance, they can cause inflammation and poor circulation at the scalp level, often leading to hair loss, tension, and deeper imbalances. If I had understood that nurturing scalp circulation could help prevent not just hair issues, but also support my energy, stress, and hormonal health, I would have made it a daily ritual much sooner!