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Join the Tea Table
Hello, my name is Ronan. I was born into a Korean family in the U.S., carrying within me a dual lens that sees both from within and across cultures.
During my time living in China, I discovered what locals call "懂茶" (dǒng chá)—to truly understand tea. For years, I resisted this idea, feeling it too grand for someone still learning. But slowly, I realized that understanding tea isn't about expertise—it's about approaching each cup with genuine curiosity and cultural humility.
This journey taught me that tea serves as more than beverage; it becomes a way of practicing presence, building bridges, and preserving traditions through the simple act of paying attention.
There's a metaphor I carry close—from the book Design is Storytelling by Ellen Lupton. In it, the question is posed: How does the chicken cross the road?
Three answers are offered through illustrations:
The Magic Chicken
She floats across the road in a bubble, hoping to avoid the oncoming truck—relying on hope and a little fantasy. For me, this mirrored a life on autopilot: working a 9-5 job, sipping tea passively, hoping something more meaningful would happen before time runs out.
The Dead Chicken
She waits too long. The truck hits. The story ends. To me, this represents inaction—feeling stuck, knowing what I want, but never daring to move toward it.
The Tough Chicken
She doesn't just cross—she leads others. Baby chicks trail behind as she walks boldly toward a shared destination. She is active, purposeful, and part of something larger than herself. I decided I wanted to become that chicken.
So I named her: The Brave Chicken.
And this project—Tea Across Borders—is one way I cross the road. One way I invite others to come with me. To notice, sip slowly, and follow curiosity wherever it leads.
I call myself the "Brave Chicken"—not because I'm fearless, but because I've learned that courage often looks like taking one authentic step at a time, even when the path isn't clear. Like a chicken crossing roads it doesn't fully understand, I approach unfamiliar cultures with curiosity rather than certainty, questions rather than answers.
This work isn't about becoming an expert on tea culture, but about becoming a better student of human connection across borders.
This project moves at the pace of steep time, honoring the patience required for both tea and cultural understanding to unfold naturally.
Will you join me?