[Interview] Bida's 'Capturing the Gaze'

Broadcaster and Model Bida's Beauty Life Story

Bida/Photo by Seo Jeongjun, Guest Reporter

[Culture & Life Section Reporter Heeyoung Kim] Vida, 24 years old, who came to the Asia Economy studio with the excitement of her first interview, finds everything fascinating. Vida, who is enjoying life in Korea more than anyone else despite being in an unfamiliar country, still has so many things she wants to do.

Her curiosity, which began with a documentary, led her to come to Korea. The journey from being a refugee to coming to Korea was not easy, but Vida gradually learned how to grow through various experiences.

Her unique affection for Korea was evident in her ambition to share the good things about Korea with the world. What kind of place does Vida see Korea as? We reveal the interview story of Vida, a broadcaster and model who is still inexperienced but is gradually creating her own aura.

Bida/Photo by Seojeongjun, Guest Photographer

Q. You were born in Afghanistan but hold American nationality. You must have gone through many experiences from being a refugee to becoming a U.S. citizen.

- When my parents felt Afghanistan was dangerous, they kept looking for a suitable place for our family to live together. Fortunately, we had a friend living in Russia, so we immigrated there. We lived in Russia for about eight years. However, the economy was tough at the time, so living in Russia was not easy. We then moved to another country, Ukraine, and lived there briefly. After that, my parents applied for refugee status in the U.S., and the U.S. accepted our family. Now, I have even obtained citizenship and am an American citizen.

Since I was young at the time, I didn’t find it very difficult. I think there were more fascinating and enjoyable things than hardships. Going to various countries and making friends from different nations was a new experience for me. When I was about 10 years old, I could sense my parents were struggling a lot. They had no money and felt very lost about where to go. Now, my family has settled well in the U.S.

Q. Did you experience the war in Afghanistan?

- I was very young, so I don’t remember much, but when I went back at 15, I could feel a lot. My grandmother was ill, so I went to Afghanistan briefly with my mother. Since my mom came at a very young age, she wanted me to learn a bit about Afghan culture, so she took me along.

We stayed for about a month, but honestly, I thought there was no place scarier than that country. Whenever I walked on the street, people kept asking why a girl was outside. Even going to a convenience store required a male family member to accompany me. It was a place where you could never walk alone. I didn’t quite understand why I couldn’t go to the convenience store in front of the house alone just because I was a girl, but that’s how it was there. Also, most Afghan women wear only black clothes. But just because I wore yellow clothes, I was pointed at. I went there to learn the culture, but I don’t have many good memories. I mostly stayed at home.

Q. How did you come to Korea? Was there a special reason?

- When I was 14, I happened to watch a Korean documentary on TV. I didn’t find much fun in the U.S., but the documentary showing Korean cafes, games, and culture was really interesting. From then on, I started searching and looking up things about Korea on the internet. Watching K-pop and Korean dramas made me think, ‘I have to go to Korea.’ But I was too young and had no money. So, I looked for an exchange student program at university. It was a way to go to Korea while receiving a scholarship. I studied hard, got the scholarship, and was able to come to Korea.

Q. How was it when you first came to Korea?

- A Korean friend who had been an exchange student in the U.S. picked me up at Incheon Airport. Since I came to Korea, I had to eat Korean-style food, so they took me to Hongdae. The first food I ate right after a 12-hour flight was chicken feet and soju. It was an unimaginable combination. (laughs) That first memory remains vivid.

Q. Korean culture must feel different from the U.S. What was fascinating while living here?

- The subway was really fascinating. It was amazing that I could quickly get to other places by subway. But because I wasn’t used to it, I often took the wrong direction, which was a bit of a struggle. Also, due to the time difference with the U.S., it was hard to sleep at night. I went outside often, and it was surprising that stores stayed open and didn’t close. Korean convenience store food was much tastier than American convenience store food. Drugstores were also fascinating. In the U.S., everything is inside a supermarket, but here, there are separate stores just for beauty products, which felt new to me.

Bida/Photo by Seo Jeongjun, Guest Reporter

Q. How did you start modeling?

- It was something I never imagined. In the U.S., models are tall and have a chic image. I never thought I would do modeling. (laughs) I posted photos on my personal SNS, and someone contacted me to work on a photo project. I thought it was a new challenge and participated, but at first, I was really bad at posing. I used exaggerated poses, not natural ones like these days. (laughs) It was awkward, but I really enjoyed the shooting. Later, through a company where my friend belonged, I started official modeling and broadcasting activities. At first, I didn’t have many jobs, so I lived on 200,000 won. I realized that doing what I want to do is happiness more than money. Gradually, I expanded my work in the fields I wanted. I want to say I am a growing Vida! (laughs)

Q. Were you interested in fashion and beauty as much as you are now?

- I was very interested in beauty. Especially, I liked K-beauty and knew Korean cosmetics were good. But there weren’t many Koreans where I lived, so I had little access. Then, from age 18, I could shop online, so I joined Amazon and bought Korean cosmetics for the first time. My first cosmetic was BB cream. (laughs) But I bought a bright shade 19 and applied it, and everyone stared at me. I thought they were looking because my skin looked good, but it turned out they were staring because my neck and face tones were different. (laughs) It’s an unforgettable memory.

Q. You are busy with modeling and appearing on ‘Korea Foreigners.’ How is life in Korea?

- I didn’t have high expectations when I came to Korea. I thought I would just spend about a year in school and then return to the U.S. for graduate school. But coming to Korea changed my life. My personality changed a lot, and I felt like a different person. Korea gave me a movie-like life. I have met many good people and enjoy trying various things. As I enjoy it, my work seems to be increasing gradually. Appearing on shows like ‘Korea Foreigners’ and ‘I Can See Your Voice’ were memorable experiences.

Q. Recently, you started a YouTube channel called ‘VidaTV.’ What kind of content do you present?

- I appeared on other YouTube channels a few times, and the response was good. I could communicate with many people, so I thought I should start one too. I could have started earlier, but I was unsure about what content to make. Also, I lacked technical skills, so I couldn’t start easily. After a long time, I was finally able to start YouTube. I try to show various content about daily life, fashion, and beauty. I still have many concerns these days.

Q. What is Vida’s current beauty interest?

- Korea seems to have many new things coming out. There are many products with various functions, so I try different ones. I’m curious about new things. Recently, since my skin tone is a bit dark, I’ve been interested in tone-up creams.

Q. Do you have any beauty tips?

- I enjoy doing point makeup on the under-eye aegyo-sal area. First, I apply a dark brown color as a base, then a bright eyeshadow on top. Finally, adding glitter as a point creates a more lively eye look.

Q. What is your dream?

- Korea has given me a lot. It allowed me to have various experiences and changed me. So, I am very grateful. If I get the chance, I want to be someone who can share Korean culture and good things with the world. To do that, I think I need to work even harder! (laughs)