YiWooAe (formerly AmeAi)

Yi Woo Ae is a mix of Phil Collins, Erica Jong, Nicole Krauss, and Allen Ginsberg. She is a poet, artist, and lyricist in the Washington DC area with an adroitness in speaking and writing and is musically talented. She enjoys consuming classic literature in quietness and seclusion away from the hustle and bustle of large groups. Woo Ae does her best work when she is introspective and contemplative, however she tries to keep her keen analytical skills to her work and not her relationships. In her work she can be sensually romantic, sexual, spiritual, philosophical, and dark. She hopes to inspire and lead through the spoken and written word. Woo Ae was motivated to write because she loves to create and hopes for success and immortality through the literary world.

​

Here you can learn more about her books or just see what makes her want to set fire to the rain. Remember you can also find her on Amazon.com by searching for Yi Woo Ae! Remember that she is dedicated to her art for art's sake. Enjoy the site and keep checking back for updates!

 

Interview with Yi Woo Ae

 

How would you describe yourself?

"I'm a business owner first, a poet second, and an artist third. I would not necessarily describe myself as an author, but to me, 'author' is an umbrella term that can encompass all three aspects at the same time."

​

Some might say that your poetry is readable. Is that good or bad?

"Nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. What comes with readability, is that I do not hide behind a lot of flowery language, so my poetry might come off as a bit in-your-face. As my younger self would say, 'There are three things that have always been taboo: Honesty, honesty, and honesty.

Everything else is polite.' "

​

Why do you write?

I write because I cannot not write, and I write for the Edge. I have an Edge; I am edgy, meaning I have an intense, sharp quality about myself and that's what gives me the advantage. I know when I am not myself when I lose that Edge.

​

What motivated you to follow your dreams?

"Besides the fact that I have faith, hope, and patience, I am an old soul. I have lived on this earth 98 times. When I realized how often I have returned to this planet, I asked myself what I have accomplished, and I learned that it's not about who I have been, but about who I will become. Before you judge me as insane for believing in a notion accepted by many cultures and religions worldwide, let me say something. For me, beliefs must do work. If they facilitate positivity, then they work. My beliefs work for me."

​

The quote on your site says, "Nothing is above me, and no one is below me." Elaborate on that.

"All is One. And all is love. Nothing is greater than love, so nothing is above love. As for the other part, judgments of what level someone is are pointless if used to create negativity, so no one is below. I notice that a lot of people use passive voice to deflect the responsibility they have to their own life. We all choose where we want to be at any given time, and there is no right or wrong choice because it's our life. In the words of my younger self, 'What's so bad?' Absolutely nothing."

​

You have some angsty poetry directed toward your family. Do they know? How is your relationship with your family?

"Writing is therapeutic, kinda like a punching bag, and poetry stands alone as art for art's sake. Poems, by necessity, are trapped in a momentary emotional point in time before they were published, so earlier poetry will not represent my current feelings or views. As a woman, every day I wear a different colour. I do not relate to the person I was (even if others do), but I thought others might relate to my younger self. If you follow my writing, you will see that I've been where you've been mentally (past or present) , and you will see my path of learning and how much I have grown as a person. If you prefer one-time purchases, then I would say to choose the books that are more relevant to your current frame of knowledge with that in mind. A lot of adoptees fall into victim mentality, and I was certainly one of them. 

​

However, a lot can happen, given some time. According to another adoptee who has witnessed our relationship, my parents and I are 'tight,' but my parents have told me that they have made the decision not to read my books, which I respect. I do intend to write Korean At Heart in the future so I can elaborate on my feelings toward the institution of adoption. I want to make clear that I do not single my parents out from a place of anger, but they do serve as a metaphor for society. Adoption is very much an institution, which just as with education, financial, legal, medical, and marriage institutions are controlled by the powers that be. If you want to know the reason behind worldly things, follow the money. If you want to know the reason behind otherworldly things, follow your heart, and your heart cannot be bound by institutions. Worldly things and otherworldly things often seem at odds with one another."​

 

Related Writing Chronology

 

Articles

"A Christian Poet in Korea: A Review of Autumn Prayer" by Ame Ai (November 06, 2012)

"Confessions of a Younger Generation Beatles Fan" by Ame Ai (February 19, 2009)

"Song of Myself: A Korean-American Life by Yearn Hong Choi" by Ame Ai (February 13, 2012)

"Yearn Choi’s Pen Celebrates Immigrant’s Life By: Jennie L. Ilustre" by Ame Ai (February 13, 2012)

"The Postman, A Book Review" by Ame Ai (August 16, 2010)

"Silence as Language" in Korean Quarterly (December 26, 2008)
"Hong Gildong: Book Review" in Korean Quarterly (December 26, 2008)

 

Related Books

A Korean Poet's Songs of the Motherland's Reunification by Kap-ju Whang (July 18, 2011)

A Study on Mun Dok-su's Literature (only available in Korea)

Song of Myself by Yearn Hong Choi (February 17, 2010)

Moon of New York by Yearn Hong Choi (September 2, 2008)

Once They Hear My Name Compiled By Ellen Lee, Marilyn Lammert, and Mary Anne Hess (September 1, 2008)

An Empty House by Yearn Hong Choi (February 15, 2008)

Divorce by Deployment by Percell Artis Jr. (September 19, 2006)