Support Jihu: Lost Home in Palisades Fire

My name is Jihu Kang. I am an international student from South Korea studying art at Santa Monica College. I am a victim of the Palisades Fire happening in January 2025

I used to live near Palisades Village, right next to the Palisades Fire Station. Thankfully, I was not physically injured and am currently staying safely at a friend’s house. However, I am going through a very difficult time and I need your help.

This is my story of the day the Palisades Fire started.

On January 7, 2025, the first day of my winter class, I left home for class at 7 AM. During class, we received several emergency alerts, and one of my classmates ran out of the classroom after getting a call from someone. I wasn’t fully aware of the situation and took it lightly. After class, while on my way home around 2:10 PM, I received three separate emergency alerts stating that Pacific Coast Highway leading to Palisades was closed. I had no choice but to return to school. Since then, I have not been able to return to my home. At 6 PM, I received an urgent call from my roommate, who was still on site. He told me that the house a block away from ours was on fire. I immediately drove to Sunset Boulevard, hoping to get to Palisades and grab a few things before our house caught fire. Unfortunately, it was of no use. I didn’t have a chance to retrieve anything personal from the house before it completely burned down. Police was everywhere, and the experience of driving towards the fire was very emotional and the view was so surrealistic. It's a moment I will never forget. I was desperate, afraid, confused, and terrified while my hands were on a wheel.

Even now, I cannot fully comprehend the reality that I have lost everything. All my personal belongings were destroyed in the fire. All I have left are the clothes I wore to school that day, my school bag, and my car. No passport, no laptop, no clothes, I lost all my art supplies and artworks.

Since I am not a U.S. citizen or green card holder, I am not eligible for federal financial support. After speaking to the Korean consulate the next day, I learned that my own government cannot provide me with financial assistance either. I don’t have any family members in the U.S. I need to repurchase everything by myself. I would greatly appreciate any aid to help me rebuild my life in California. I need assistance buying essentials, replacing my academic materials, and recovering my art supplies, which were roughly worth $700. These included oil paints, acrylic paints, gouache paints, watercolors with a palette, professional paint brushes, palette knives, an easel, charcoal, graphite, professional pencils, drawing pads, a drawing board, and more. Additionally, I lost my laptop, which I relied on for studying and completing art projects to build my portfolio.

I would be incredibly grateful for any support during this challenging time as I work to recover and rebuild my life in California. All the funds raised in this campaign will be used to repurchase academic material, clothing, and finding a new home to continue studying in Los Angeles. Please help me reach the goal. Thank you.