Uploaded November 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

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"I had been wanting Run River North to work with Han-Su Kim for a minute. He was doing music videos with the Wild Reeds, and then there was the viral Game of Thrones X Fender video he did through his creative agency and production company Kasm Creative which even got Ellen Degeneres to do a bit on her show.

But when we finally met up for a potential music video idea, it was his work with blind skateboarder Dan Mancina and the Braille institute that shifted our focus. The video was about Dan and his skateboarding friends helping the visually impaired and blind kids build and ride their own skateboards. When Han-su started filming, it was immediate how humbling and freeing the project unfolded.

Han-su and I both realized that instead of a traditional music video, what if we made a video about our music in the hands of these kids through the Braille Institute? The focus was to empower the kids as musicians, and our job as Run River North was to make that as fun as possible. As we started to brainstorm how we were each going to teach our instruments, the chorus of our song "Wake Up" became the perfect four chords on the guitar, bass and keyboard. With some creative velcro treatment and open tuning, the band was able to teach 27 kids how to play the chorus on all three instruments.

At the end of the day, the kids were able to pick up guitars that Fender generously donated to the Braille Institute, and along with shakers and other percussion instruments, we were all able to perform the song "Wake Up" together for their parents.

What ended up being filmed was truly just the seed of something good. As the focus of the music and the video turned to the kids, ideas quickly emerged. What if we had other artists come and share their songs and stories to raise awareness of the Braille Institute and the work they do for the blind and visually impaired? What if this became a more regular activity - teaching our songs rather than just performing?

One of the biggest challenges personally was how to teach without visual cues. So as I was closing my eyes to speak with empathy, I realized that it wasn't as limiting or difficult as I had imagined and, in fact, how much more of the music I felt with my eyes closed. I got to see our music in a whole new light with these kids. Wherever you're watching this video, we hope that it inspires you to believe in the power of music and to see all the good work that the Braille Institute does for these kids." Alex Hwang

For more information and to donate visit: brailleinstitute.org

Directed by: Han-Su Kim
Produced by: Mike Burgess, Basis Management, Kasm Creative Agency
Director of Photography: Massimo Legittimo
Grip: Buddy Bleckley
Sound: Joel Jasper
Sound Mix: Glue Audio Group
Edited by: Han-Su Kim

Many thanks to Fender, Pizza Hut, The Braille Institute, and the kids!