KONNECT Vol.1
✨Connecting Artists & Professionals
Like stars in the sky, every artist holds limitless potential.
But for that potential to shine, talent and hard work alone are not always enough. We need connections—with people who understand our journeys, lend a helping hand, and grow alongside us.
KONNECT brings artists and the professionals who support their journeys together to discover possibilities, exchange knowledge and experiences, and build meaningful, lasting connections.
When people from different worlds reach out to one another, individual potential can become something greater: new opportunities, shared growth, and possibilities we could never create alone.
Connecting Possibilities. Moving Forward Together.
Hosted by MEARI Collective & Korea Reframed
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✨ THE GATHERING
MEARI Collective and Korea Reframed invite Korean and Asian artists in New York to the first edition of KONNECT.
Join us for an afternoon of practical talks on artist visas and taxes, consultations with legal and accounting professionals, and conversations with fellow creatives. Share your work, bring your questions, and meet people who can help you navigate the next chapter of your artistic journey.
✨ EVENT DETAILS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
1 PM – 4 PM
NOFLEX NYC | 286 5th Ave, New York
✨ TICKETS
$35 per person, including one drink.
Talks and consultations are offered free of charge as part of the event, with no additional fee beyond your ticket.
✨ TALK 1 - Understanding Artist Visas: O-1, P, and When to Start
John Lee, Esq.
Explore the basics of artist visas in the United States, with a focus on O-1 and P visas and when to begin preparing. This session introduces key considerations for artists planning their work and careers in the U.S.
John Lee is an attorney admitted in New York and a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and New South Wales, Australia. His practice focuses on immigration, cross-border contracts and transactions, and litigation.
✨ TALK 2 - Tax Basics for Artists in New York
Julie Park, CPA
Founder, JP Accounting & Tax Services
Building on the visa conversation, this session covers the tax essentials for artists working in the U.S.—from first-year filing and freelance income to expenses and recordkeeping.
O-1 Visas and Taxes: Tax residency and your first-year filing
Understanding 1099 Income: What Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-K are and how to report the income
Deductible Expenses: Materials, equipment, studio costs, transportation, promotion, and more
Self-Employment Tax and Quarterly Estimated Payments
Korean Income and Korean Accounts: Avoiding double taxation and FBAR reporting
Recordkeeping: Organizing receipts and income throughout the year
When Do You Need an LLC? Understanding sole proprietorships and business structures such as LLCs
✨ MODERATOR
Yosef Lee, Esq.
Founder, Korea Reframed
Yosef Lee is an attorney licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. His practice focuses on private advisory, multifamily and business investment, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
He founded Korea Reframed to help build the infrastructure Korean artists need to grow and sustain their careers in New York.
✨ CONSULTATIONS & NETWORKING
Connect with legal and accounting professionals to discuss questions about your artistic career, and meet fellow artists across disciplines.
Over a drink, share what you’re working on, exchange experiences, and continue the conversations sparked by the talks. Find common ground, build relationships, and discover new possibilities together.
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✨ ABOUT KOREA REFRAMED
Korea Reframed is committed to building a stronger support system for Korean artists in New York, connecting them with the professional resources and guidance they need to focus on their art and careers.
Korea Reframed Foundation supports the participating artists at KONNECT.
✨ ABOUT MEARI
Meari is a Korean Culture Collective that carries Korea's living culture to the world. We don't just host events — we curate the authenticity and depth of Korean culture and let it echo across borders. Through performance, food, beauty, and a vibrant range of content, we connect people, brands, and stories on a global stage. Meari connects Korea with the world through culture, building a global community for everyone who loves it.
MEARI Collective hosts and organizes KONNECT.