Meet Mimi: Maltese Musician and Content Creator Bridges Cultures Between Malta and South Korea
Meet Michelle (known online as Mimi), a Maltese-born musician, singer, and content creator who’s found her groove connecting Malta and South Korea.
Why South Korea?
Her fascination with Asian cultures began early, but it was during her time at Goldsmiths, University of London, that she truly discovered South Korea.
“One of my biggest passions apart from travelling is cultural heritage so I spent most of my life researching and learning about the intangible cultural heritage, history and traditions in other countries,” Michelle told Lovin Malta.
Introduced to the country by a South Korean classmate in 2009, Michelle’s interest deepened over the years, culminating in a series of transformative experiences.
After 15 years in the UK, Michelle packed her bags in 2019 and moved to Korea, turning her love for culture into a vibrant career.
From Kpop Academy to Content Creation
“There are many parallels between South Korea and Malta so I immediately felt an affinity with its people and culture.”
Michelle’s journey into Korean culture took off when she was selected for the 15th edition of the Kpop Academy, an intensive 10-week program organised by the Korean Cultural Center UK and supported by the Korean Embassy in London.
The program introduced her to various aspects of Korean culture, including history, hanbok (traditional clothing), taekwondo, and hansik (Korean cuisine).
“It was then that I started documenting my research and experience of Korean culture on a blog as well as social media,” Michelle explained “At the end of the program, I received the Best Social Media Award for my blog,” adding that the recognition fuelled her drive to share her experiences.
Michelle being awarded the Best Social Media Award by South Korean Ambassador to the UK, Enna Park
Shortly after, Michelle’s amateur Minyo singing group, Kingdom of Hearts, represented the UK in Belgium, at the first-ever K-Community Festival in Europe.
This opportunity took her to South Korea yet again for traditional singing training, which culminated in a spectacular performance in front of an audience of thousands, alongside renowned names in K-Pop like Dreamcatcher and Up10tion.
Michelle with her Minyo group, Kingdom of Hearts, at the K-Community Festival in Belgium.
From A Big Move To A Cultural Ambassador
“These experiences consolidated my decision to move to South Korea. I started learning the language and also became an MCN YouTube Creator for KCCUK as well as a K-Influencer and an Honorary Reporter for KOCIS for almost 5 years,” she pridefully added.
Michelle made the big move during the COVID-19 pandemic, officially settling down in South Korea in 2019 and evolving into a full-fledged content creator.
Her transition wasn’t just a change of address—it became a life-altering journey of creativity, connection, and cultural exploration.
Michelle was one of the winners at the 50th Anniversary of KOCIS
From her cozy Korean apartment, she began documenting her daily life and sharing fascinating tidbits about both Korea and Malta with her followers. As restrictions eased, she ventured out, exploring every corner of South Korea and uncovering stories about traditions, music, crafts, and historical landmarks.
“What started as a simple way to document my journey and beat loneliness during the pandemic became my creative outlet and ignited my passion for cultural journalism and content creation,” she explained.
This passion took her to new heights, landing her opportunities on Korean TV programs and YouTube broadcasts, where she also proudly introduced curious Korean audiences to the beauty of Malta.
In 2022, Michelle completed the Korean Foundation Diplomacy program, becoming the only Maltese participant. She was selected as one of the top students to present about Malta during Culture Diplomacy Week in Seoul.
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What’s Next For Mimi?
Mimi’s currently back in Malta, and during her stay she’s still keeping her love for multicultural content creation alive, with one of her recent posts seeing her fuse Maltese and Korean cuisine.
“I made and posted the video and was overwhelmed with positive responses. One of my followers even tried my recipe and shared the photos on her social media. Another even suggested I should open my own restaurant in Seoul. Should I do that?” Mimi cheerfully exclaimed.
As South Korea approaches Seollal (Korean New Year), Michelle plans to release special content about the celebration, continuing her mission to bridge Maltese and Korean cultures.
There seems to be no quitting for this content creation powerhouse and with a long line of accomplishments like that, who knows what Mimi has in store next?
If you’re interested in following Mimi’s journey, make sure to follow her on social media @koreabymimi
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