Why I quit my job to pursue my childhood dream | Jason Y. Lee | TEDxUCIrvine

Jason Y. Lee shares his journey about why he quit his corporate job to make inspiring videos on youtube. Now Jason leads Jubilee Media, a video company for passionate and purpose-driven millennials. / jubileemedia
Jason is the founder of Jubilee Media, a media company that bridges people together and inspires love. Jubilee has garnered over 30 million views online for various causes and featured in The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Mashable, The Queen Latifah show and more. In his former life, Jason was a consultant at Bain & Company and worked for Clinton Health Access Initiative in Zambia. He was raised in Overland Park, Kansas and graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@johannees622]

I am from Haiti. Before the earthquake, my family and I never said I love you. After the earthquake, I made it a point to never get off the phone without saying “ I love you”. Still so grateful that they were alive. It was awkward for my dad to respond back at first. But now, it’s second nature for all of us. ❤️ By the way great story. Can totally relate.

[@russjalichandra5491]

Long time ago, when I was young, I dreamed of becoming sort of rock star because of my love of music and guitar playing. But back then I wasn’t a really good guitar player and I ended up being a diplomat instead. More than 30 years passed and I’m now about to retire but through all those years I never stop playing guitar. Looking back, I now come to think that even I didn’t get to become a rockstar but still I got to do what I love all my life. In a way, playing music as a hobby, as oppose to full time job, is also satisfying because you can play whatever you want or feel like, and you just play primarily for your own enjoyment. Sometimes you might not realize it but you’ve been doing the thing you love all along.

[@benjaminwiner6220]

Russ Jalichandra wow

[@xtv_]

wow that’s beautiful, thank you for sharing 😢😢

[@locobass]

You are a rock star

[@sebastienpolaert3643]

Great tho read this Russ ! I am somehow on the same journey. Wanted to be a famous guitarist, finally decided to study Business to get a good job. I never stopped playing the guitar, and I even get some lessons now to keep improving my playing. Today I don't want to be famous, just a good player. By the way I am 42, I appreciated living abroad thanks to Business (Iived three years in Moscow) but I just quit my job to work as an independent and find a way to include music in my daily life, helping people and organizations to develop their creativity. I have seen your KZbin profile...Kirk Fletcher ! Nice taste ;-) I wish we could have a beer (..or a tea) and jam together, who knows.

[@locobass]

@@sebastienpolaert3643 Real Musicians are about the MUSIC not the business of music. Make money any way you feel ok to you. Keep the love for music and playing and learning forever .

[@zoharahman8460]

I've always loved watching Jublee's content.. This was an awesome talk.

[@ahmedkhanani8550]

OMG ME TOO

[@ArianeSartor]

I quit my job during the corona crisis and I am already making a living of my new business! 😃I have been held back by fear for YEARS whereas I see now that so much is possible! It is crazy how we stay in situations out of fear when something so much better is waiting for us on the other side! Thank you for making that video!

[@random-accessmemory9201]

Congrats Arian. I’m happy for you! I just quit my job this month without a back up plan and now I’m overthinking. 😭😭😭 I have the money and emergency funds to surivive but I’m overthinking on what other people will say to me. 🥺 I hope I can also do what you did.

[@goodlife8044]

@@random-accessmemory9201 how is it going since you quit? I’m going through this now.

[@random-accessmemory9201]

@@goodlife8044 If you still have the savings for months, don’t overthink, take some rest, and take some vacations. I don’t have any regrets to rest for around five months and I’m happy with it. Right now, I’m in a job-hunting mode. 😃

[@ClearOutSamskaras]

The drawing of the dinosaur-cop is so beautiful and is pure retrospective psychological delight!

[@JanZyg]

“Ordinary people can do extraordinary things” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@yagalterry]

Such a good talk!! Really proud of how far jubilee project has come!!!

[@FeonasHandAnalysisReadings]

I never sold my soul to the corporate world, as I was always selfish with my creative endeavors, but I can understand the fear in taking that leap of faith! Its very validating and glad you took that risk ;-)

[@coletteharubella2434]

Oh my gosh! I'm a teacher and a boy in my class also said he wants to be a dinosaur when he grows up, he even drew a T-Rex! Really. ^^ so funny. :-)

[@PHlophe]

Coleth, grow up , girl.

[@coletteharubella2434]

Lechiffresix six no, it really happened, jokes aside. And my name's Colette.

[@mariancounsellor]

I can definitely relate to that feeling of not being unhappy but also not being happy either. It’s just a non-feeling or okay but not great. When I became a counsellor, it was the best decision I could make for myself.

[@matthewschwartz2225]

I gave my 2 weeks' notice 12 days ago to follow my dreams after being an engineer. I related to your response to that quote from dying people and finding happiness after graduating with undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as getting great jobs.

[@ms1295]

Curious what you’re up to now Matthew. I hope you found a lifestyle/career that makes you happier!

[@winonadaphne6445]

he's so freaking cute, his dimples, omg

[@mariancounsellor]

He’s definitely got model looks!

[@chrisl418]

Thank you. Im 59 and have never followed my dream. Guess it is time to quit my boring job and follow my dreams.

[@DawkDaze]

Jason you're such a great storyteller you're hilarious too!!

[@RayfilWong]

Jason - you're livuing a purpose driven life - Jubilee Rocks 🎯

[@aesthete7227]

*I LOVE HIS SENECE OF HUMOR*

[@stefanycahyadi]

I've been following Jubilee ever since their Love Language video. It's so amazing to see the progress of their channel and how much they accomplish to this point. As a 25 year old, this video is definitely what I needed

[@jyjung27]

Inspiring and definitely worthy of sharing! As a daughter of Korean immigrants and now a parent of young adults I can relate!

[@Zgg2]

Very Inspirational and Amazing story! It really resonates me because I have the same thing about “when you will get this, you’re gonna be happy”. Its what we’ve been told since childhood, but it’s not true. I Wish everyone(including me) will live a life that true to themselves and be happy. It takes courage and believe in yourself but it worth it.

[@vlam1357]

This is inspiring! We all need courage, even when we try to do what we love.

[@thesecretsquirrel5935]

If you want something bad enough, you will get it. If you havent got it, you havent tried hard enough.

[@jentlye220]

I love Jason and Jubilee even more now

[@Consciouskaren]

This video brought me so much joy because of the way Jason Y. Lee shares his story. A lot of this resonated with me as I was raised by a single immigrant parent and also long to uplift the world. Who knows maybe I will get to meet him one day. Thank you Jason for living your dream.

[@jeannastorey]

This video has been popping up on my feed for months and I don’t know why but I’ve just been ignoring it because something inside my head keeps saying, “that’s not possible for you.” But I’m really glad that I finally clicked on this video. I can positively say that it will change my life.

[@Chrisinhanoi]

he and Kim Nam-joon are such the twins. They are both inspiring

[@valfox777]

Thank for this and Jubilee is awesome!

[@artistevivien]

Hol up, can we talk about how adorable that dinosaur drawing is? Clearly he could have gone the art career route as well

[@nicol908]

That dinosaur with cop cap is absolutely adorable. So proud of u're from Korea. ^^ your story adds one more evidence of chasing dreams for me, thx. :)

[@joannabusinessaccount7293]

This is one of those few KZbin videos where I need to watch the video rather than multi tasking reading the comments

[@Michelle-je9jk]

That's one of the reasons I wanna be a film maker. Stories are powerful

[@yolkycheeks]

He's got this way of peaking that is so captivating that he draws you right into his story and doesn't let you go until the very end.

[@obrolanlelakichannel2677]

since in my childhood, my dream was one, seeing the world, being a free person. I get out of my office, I share my office clothes, and started the journey with a nomadic, not a vacation but to stay and stay 1-2 months in each city, because my destination is not to see tourist objects, but to live like a native people in each new area. my mistake was that I didnt save a lot money, i spent it for my lifestyle during my job in finance industry. Until I fall, brake down because of office politycs, toxic boss who tricked me and putted me in bigtrouble about corporate money but thanks God, i could be free from lwa because i was the victim too, and my boss was faired. it was my started point to realize that deep in my heart, my skill and my passion is not a career in the office but to be a sincere one, ordinary and freeman. My advice: save your money, don't be generous for your lifestyle, and live your dreams.

[@MickeyD2012]

I got pulled over by a dinosaur the other day, I thought I was hallucinating...

[@codex8893]

I aspire to be in this guy's shoes

[@springwater2859]

I aspire to be his shoes.

[@guitarsz]

he could do stand up, honestly

[@jezelle7420]

I love this so much.

[@analia123love]

This touched me! I’ve been watching his vids and now I know his story, it’s just extraordinary

[@TRIPLEMLUXE]

Amazing!! Jason your a true inspiration

[@7Fields16llc]

Thanks brother.

[@dorjichoden1457]

So inspiring and really love to see a compassionate man 💜💜💜

[@stacywu1095]

Jason, thanks so much for sharing your story and your courage. So touching. I can relate to this very deeply, as I do with many Jubilee videos.

[@KellyS74]

I know I'm very late on this... But I've just stumbled across this video, and it truly moved me.. Jason's message was so important ... I'm so happy for him that his bravery lead him to his successes. Truly inspirational 💕

[@aliasifchowdhury3419]

Brilliantly charming and very blessed with such insights about life (and an elder brother to share life with)....May God's blessings continue to be with you

[@evayau8911]

This is such a touching yet really entertaining talk. Really inspired me! Thanks Jason!!

[@MelindaTseFilms]

Loved this!! Thanks Jason 😊

[@yoloxochitl6]

Great talk!!

[@guitarsz]

he’s really funny. his jokes deliver really well

[@teelyt5637]

Gosh this is so beautiful and inspiring💓💓💓

[@elisac307]

I've been watching jubilee videos for quite a time and now i came across your history, thank you so much for sharing!! i loved it

[@gopalkrishnasharma2380]

well, you are an amazing speaker

[@chloeellie1210]

go Jason! and the Jubilee fam!!

[@kanikagupta1235]

hey , jason i turned am 16, 1 week ago i found Jubilee , man this is most probably the first time in my life i am commenting to thank for the great content.i loved the team Jubilee as a whole. your story is damn relatable .lets all hope for bright future that could only happen if we are good humans.Lots of respect & love from india🇮🇳

[@stephanieswn3687]

best tedtalk i've ever seen

[@michaelp9061]

I am just so proud of you and what you contents have created which influence a way way larger audience myself included. Imagine you are still at your old job. Man. No Jubilee what so ever ?

[@areebaahmed8917]

Damn this is so true! This really hit me

[@missw5591]

Awesome talk, thank-you for this!! :)

[@srishti1990]

Very true and inspiring thoughts✨

[@iamgraci_]

Jason youre the best dude

[@carolynetumuhimbise7224]

I dont know why but this got me into tears

[@migleeee]

Amazing talk!

[@droy589]

Awesome. .... . What you really want to do will never be accepted by others in the beginning.

[@loveistwicebelongonce4992]

Old stuff but still got a lof of pp suffered from it. Always worth being reminded

[@zahraali4487]

OML!! I love Jubilee channel so bad I’m so astonished to hear his story. So inspiring and amazing ♥️🧡

[@jumeirahdanifesipasip3462]

this is the most realistic & relatable vid on TEDtalks 👏🏼

[@josephpackcom]

Self-reliance - Ralph Waldo Emerson! Everyone stuck in "the American dream" should read that book!

[@sivan23454]

Loved it!!!!

[@MyMusiclifestyle]

Mrs Price is a must for every toddler

[@kuroazrem5376]

Their content is great!

[@ryanhostudio]

the real message

[@rnb5182]

he's so entertaining.

[@richardkuda321]

Very nice.

[@whodis6318]

I needed this 💕

[@renehenriksen1735]

If one could be an invisible spirit who gives people sweet dreams it wouldn´t be worst.

[@itsmanuelrc]

he inspired me

[@thefabulousnarwhal5410]

I love this💖 I remember the busking in NY lol ^^

[@i-want-fries1931]

YAS I AGREE

[@iamgraci_]

Many similarities in my personal experiences only instead of Korean immigrants I am a Dominican immigrant, even down to wanting to be a cop lol and feeling like "is this it" when I got to my great school

[@fitnessfanfocused5832]

❤❤

[@spainbarcafootyfan]

I love this talk Jason! It's so funny I've seen it several times. You've really got the storytelling thing down. Interestingly I had actually first seen this before I discovered Jubilee and already found it amusing and inspiring, but after finding Jubilee via a separate means and rediscovering this talk I can say that the sacrifices you made quitting your secure job have really paid off- what you founded instead is a huge force for good.

[@_Wai_Wai_]

Oh yes, I find jubilee very unique and creative. It shows different perspective on various social issues. Another channel I like is Asian Boss.

[@arriramaputra4858]

Come on, be brave and live your life authentically! We’re not a society product! We can be successfull on whatever we want!

[@thefabulousnarwhal5410]

Btw does anyone remember watching their "call me maybe" video while they were moving to LA??? It was beautiful

[@m.l.5230]

Jason is my dude, rocking a CASIO F-91W!

[@M_Maluva]

woow

[@ajtam05]

So question is; when is his next K-Pop solo album being released? Guy is a stud! Lol

[@mariancounsellor]

I’m not a fan of most Ted Talks as they seem too rehearsed but this was funny, interesting and he is a great storyteller 👏🏽👏🏽

[@Bujjcun]

so handsome omg

[@Gonmei12345]

I'm leaving my job next month brother... Thank you 💓.. Idk how my life will be but I'm ready to face my Life

[@RyanFromThatsaPeel]

How did it go ?

[@aliasifchowdhury3419]

How a centuries old "secret" formula to success.....even though the formula no longer works...still survives astounds me....I already figured out that formula too before this video....but nobody has figured out our way of life is still stuck in the industrial age

[@danahmorris1278]

damn I was really waiting for a pic of him as a dinosaur at the end lol xD and how he became a dinosaur for his job xDxD

[@simonsays5094]

I didn’t even realize this guy was the ceo of jubilee! His hairs so long now, but wow what an inspiration

[@kuroazrem5376]

Imagine this guy as a T-rex policeman. That would be awsome!

[@lucymoctezuma4306]

I dont know if anyone who gets into an ivy league and has professors as parents is actually an ordinary person. I am happy that it worked out for him and i love the content in jubilee but perspective please lol.

[@aliasifchowdhury3419]

12:34...life is not a ladder or straight line

[@MissOJAY]

💖💗👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@nisarathutinta8434]

It depends on which country we were born.

[@AnaMaria888]

when I was a little girl I wanted the same, to be a police woman and to protect the innocents, to save people, to fight the bad guys. Wait a second, I was expecting for you to say that you became a police man, but you became a video director ?? this wasn't your childhood dream :)

[@rom8794]

He did not know how to express it at that age, but He wanted to help people and that is what he is doing now.

[@samgold8827]

Isn't he the guy who met Tyler Durden?

[@sohailacindro5258]

That Omonna hahhah

[@jadeng293]

Just curious, I love 2 channels: Jublee and Asian boss. There’re a coincidence that their creator are both Korean. Is there a reason?

[@ashleygabriellapladsen1850]

I used to work in a Career Center at a university as a Career Counselor. If you are looking for some help identifying gifts, gaining clarity for your career path, or just want to learn how to reach your potential, comment or send me a message!

[@rennnrenchingggx6694]

Is jason lee are the one whos in kmjs in 2017?finding his brothers?