Even when the path is unclear, I’ve learned there’s always a way forward. This perspective has shaped my journey and helped me support others through life’s pivotal moments.

 

I remember the morning like it was yesterday. My legs felt strange—a kind of nerve pain I didn’t even recognize as nerve pain at the time. I had spent two hours playing indoor volleyball the night before, so I chalked it up to soreness. But by the next morning, I was numb. Numb enough to scare me into going to see the doctor, uninsured. 

 

I went to the campus health center, where they tested my reflexes. After doing the reflex tests, the nurse looked at me and said, “Something’s seriously wrong. You need to go to a hospital.” Begrudgingly, I went to the emergency room at USC Medical Center, after a grueling 14-hour wait, I could no longer walk.

 

It took three days of tests and a parade of medical students analyzing my condition before I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a rare autoimmune disorder that caused inflammation in the T9 region of my spinal cord. The doctors told me I was one in a million. They didn’t know if I’d ever walk again and sent me home in a wheelchair with instructions to start therapy and “see what happens.”

 

What happened next shaped the rest of my life. In my last college quarter, I was in a hands-on restaurant course where we ran a small restaurant on campus. I credit that class—and the community I found there—with helping me get back on my feet, both figuratively and literally. My classmates rallied around me, encouraging me to stand, to try, and to keep pushing forward. By the end of that quarter, I was standing and even moving around with a walker. Over the next six months, I relearned how to walk, one step at a time.

 

That experience taught me a lesson I carry with me to this day: never give up. No matter how impossible things feel in the moment, there is always hope, and there is always a way forward. 

 

That mindset has shaped how I live, parent, and work. After graduating college, I began my career in hospitality, working with Marriott for over a decade. I loved serving others, making them feel cared for, and being part of an industry built on connection. But when the pandemic hit, I, like many others, was laid off. During that time—home with my two kids—I decided to take a leap of faith and dive into real estate full-time.

 

My dad had been a commercial real estate agent for as long as I could remember, and I had avoided it for years, afraid of jumping into a totally different industry. Luckily, my dad had convinced me to get my license years prior and I had dabbled in real estate part-time, so I figured, Why not go all in?

 

That first year, I closed 10 transactions—more than I had in three years part-time. Beyond the numbers, I realized how much I loved helping people through one of life’s most stressful yet rewarding processes. Buying or selling a home is deeply personal, and I wanted my clients to feel supported, heard, and cared for—just like my classmates had supported me during my recovery.

 

That desire to serve drives me today. Whether guiding a family through their first home purchase, helping friends in tough situations, or showing up for my own family, I approach everything with the same mindset: How can I support you? How can I help you not give up?

 

My husband, Chase, has been my rock—caring for our two kids, Noah and Kara, on weekends so I can meet with clients. He continues to remind me that the support of others truly makes all the difference in life! We love going to Disneyland, playing Pokémon Go, and traveling. That quality time together keeps me driven, inspired, and ready to serve families just like ours!

 

To many, I know the real estate industry can feel daunting, especially when the market is difficult or the process feels overwhelming. But I bring the lessons I’ve learned from my own life into every transaction: don’t give up, trust the process, and find the right support to keep moving forward. Whether it’s finding the perfect home or navigating the ups and downs of life, I’m here to support my clients, my friends, and my family—just like I was supported when I needed it most. The relationships I form with my client are about being a lifelong partner, advocate, and guide throughout the entire buying and selling process. My goal is to be a continuous resource and helping hand for my client long after closing. 

 

As a real estate professional, I bring a unique combination of customer service expertise, determination, and a commitment to creating meaningful client relationships. I pride myself on open communication and never pressuring my clients—ensuring they feel supported and confident in their decisions. Whether it’s helping first-time homebuyers navigate their purchase, yielding the highest price to maximize a seller’s return or assisting families relocating to and from Orange County, my focus is on building trust and guiding clients through every stage of their journey. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Kai Kim

REALTOR® | LIC#02040060

Call/Text 626.202.3381

kai@kaikimre.com

www.kaikimre.com