Natalia and Anastasiia
Natalia, thank you for joining us today! You’ve had a very interesting journey—can you share more about the moment when you decided to leave your career as an economist and pursue photography and dance full-time?
Thank you for that amazing possibility to share our story! Yes, of course...To be honest I began to thought about it... maybe in 2020.Since I was a child I was creative personality. I learnt playing piano, composed music and songs, drew, read a lot.I begin my photo career in 2018 year.Dancing - in 2019 year.I never thought that I'll be a photographer or dancer instead of full-time work as an economist. At that period it was more as a hobby.But when in 2021 year I learned that I must have a surgery – it was hard period for me. It was time when I rethought many things in my life. This period became a turning point in my life. I thought that there is a moment when I must decide something for myself and change my life. I decided to CHOOSE MYSELF! My life, my desires, my daughter...It was a little bit hard period psychologically. I'm so grateful for my daughter for her support!When I became a freelancer at the end of 2021 it was first time in my life when I felt freedom! I was really happy! I began to rise my level of photo and dancing. I was so motivated and inspired!With my daughter we both created several creative projects: photo and dance. After 4 years I can say that I have any regrets about my decision.
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You and your daughter, Anastasiia, have a unique bond and a shared passion for dance. How did you both decide to start your dance duet "VG&7," and what has that journey been like for you both?
Yes, you right... I'm so happy that me and my daughter are more than mother and daughter. We're friends, colleagues.I'm grateful for myself that in one moment I decided to "understand" Anastasiia and go ahead on one way.I can say that it was beginning of our journey to South Korea. I began to learn more about it with Anastasiia. And our dance duet VG&7 became a result of our way in dance sphere from dance studio in Russia, Krasnodar to our own dancing way. At first it was duet for final performance in dance studio.Our debut was at 2020 year. We still remember how it was hard and interesting to practice before championship where we had our first stage. It was cover dance TAEMIN - SAYONARA HITORY. I created outfits for both of us. Then we made MV for dance cover TEN&WINWIN (NCT) "LOVELY". And a lot of other dance covers. Officially we began our story as a dance duet in October, 2021. We created Instagram account :) When we arrived in Seoul our dance duet was choosen for K-WAVE DANCE FESTIVAL. It was our first stage in Seoul! Incredible and unforgettable moment! For today we have several dance stages, festivals and contests!
You mentioned that your favorite style of dance is K-pop cover dance. What drew you to K-pop as a genre, and how has it shaped your performances?
Yes, that's right. My daughter brought me to the world of K-POP. I'm grateful for my daughter that once she went through the fear of being misunderstood - she sent me K-POP songs. These were songs by the group BTS.At first, it was all very new to me, but the main thing that caught my attention was how clear and powerful the movements were, especially those of the guys from the boy groups. I am a rather abrupt person in my movements, I have a more masculine character. I began to dance when I was studying in college. My idol has always been Michael Jackson. His songs and choreographies were mesmerizing. I started dancing thanks to his songs and videos, performances and concerts. It was an amateur level. I lacked professional training. Then there was a break for several years. I returned to dancing professionally after many years thanks to my daughter. K-POP has greatly influenced my dancing. Over time, confidence and precision in movements appeared, especially after arriving in Seoul, when we started studying together in a dance studio new dance style - locking. I was very attracted to K-POP because the choreographies use various dance styles. It's a unique mix and it's amazing!!!
You’ve recently explored a new dance style, locking, while in Seoul. What was that experience like for both of you, and how did it feel to learn something entirely new?
Living in Russia, I had never heard of this dance style. When my daughter and I moved to a new apartment in Seoul, we started thinking about finding a dance studio nearby to go to classes and improve our level, and also have the opportunity to train independently. When we found out that the FROMZERO dance studio was reopening not far from our house, we immediately thought that we would have to go to open master classes. That's when we saw this direction - locking.
After reading more about this dance style, we realized that it was very interesting to us and would help in our development. Because here there was an emphasis on precision, isolation, control of the body and movements, and speed. After several months of classes, the difference in our dance before and after was already noticeable! I am very grateful to our choreographer for the opportunity to grow and develop!
You’ve both participated in dance festivals and contests in Seoul. Can you tell us about some of the highlights and what it felt like to perform on stage?
For us, our first performance in Seoul was something incredible and magical! It so happened that we were found on Instagram by an organization that was looking for dance teams with foreign participants. It was in 2023. Of course, we immediately jumped at the opportunity. When our participation was confirmed, we began preparing for the performance. Let's just say that this was our first performance as a duet after our debut in 2020. It was scary, honestly! But we did it! We prepare for each performance thoroughly. Working out the details and bringing every movement to automatism. That's why when you go on stage, the music leads you and you give yourself completely to the performance! It's an amazing feeling, especially when you hear the support of the audience! This is probably the most important moment for a dancer, an artist... It gives an incredible boost of energy and strength! Being on stage is magical!
You and Anastasiia also design your own outfits for the stage. What’s the process behind creating your looks, and how do you incorporate your creativity into your fashion choices?
We create our own costumes for performances. Each time we try to create an image as close as possible to the costumes of the artists whose song we are covering. Sometimes we remake something, re-sew it, and sometimes we sew it from scratch. We watch videos, performances, choose a suitable outfit, so that we can repeat it as closely as possible later.This was the case with the performance of the song NCT DREAM ISTJ, when we went shopping and looked for a suitable concept. In the end, we bought a denim vest for my costume, but the original had denim fringe on the shoulders. In the end, we bought jeans of the same color and I made this fringe from them. In the end, it turned out really cool! Almost like Mark from NCT DREAM!!!
One of your recent performances featured BamBam and Seulgi's song “Who Are You.” How was that experience for you both, and how did you prepare for such a challenging but beautiful stage?
This performance has become very significant for us! When we were just choosing a song for the dance, there were several options. But then we somehow unanimously agreed that this song is very different from what we usually dance and decided to challenge ourselves. To be honest, it was difficult to learn this choreography, because there was no dance practice, there were only a few videos from the performance and the concert. We practiced this dance in the dance studio for several hours to achieve the ideal. As a result, we performed this dance on several stages, including at festivals and at the competition. It was really a kind of challenge for both of us, because for the most part we danced energetic dances, and this was different... There were more emotions, although the technique was top notch! I am glad that we decided to learn that choreography. Now we know that our dance arsenal has expanded and we are moving forward!
In addition to dance, you also work as a photographer, model, and actress. Can you tell us about the different styles you work in as a photographer, and how does your artistic vision come to life in these roles?
When I started taking photos, I was constantly trying different genres: reportage photography, architecture, interior photography, children's or family photography, as well as fashion, food and product photography, advertising photography. I wanted to cover as much as possible to understand what was closer to me, what I liked...That's how I discovered such a direction as a theater photographer. It was time when my daughter went to a theater school in Russia. And when there were performances, I decided to try shooting productions. By that time, I already had the necessary equipment and I understood that I was technically prepared. I still remember that day. It was incredible! To catch that moment, which is so unique and inimitable, to catch emotions and feelings of the artists, so that the photo was “alive” and conveyed the whole range of feelings to the viewer. It was an amazing experience! Well, in the end, it was difficult for me to make a choice, so I continued shooting in different styles. I like to experiment. I look at other photographers' work a lot in magazines, online, on websites. I am inspired by almost everything! Every time I go somewhere, I always take a camera with me, because you never know what you might see! Now I have several creative projects in my plans! I will gradually bring them to life! Previously, I underestimated the value of creative projects. But now I understand that for any creative person, this is an opportunity to fully express themselves, show their vision, feel freedom! That's why I often shoot for myself. It can be cosmetics, street photography or just an unusual pop-up store. Together with my daughter, we think up various interesting conceptual shoots! Over time, my vision began to change and my photographs changed. Especially after moving to Seoul and a month spent in Bangkok! I became freer, if I can say so, and began to experiment more with color and the frame itself. Creativity gives freedom in expressing feelings and emotions! Be it photography, filming a movie or a music video. It's easier to immerse yourself in the role.
You’ve mentioned that you and Anastasiia are not just mother and daughter, but also close friends. How has this deep connection influenced your creative work together?
I am very happy that we have such a relationship with my daughter. It helps us create together, because we are on the same wavelength. We understand each other at a glance. It definitely helps a lot in dancing, because we feel each other. We help each other and we don’t have the idea that if I, as a mother, say something, it will only happen that way. We constantly discuss everything, decide, sometimes argue, but in the end we come to a common opinion. To be honest, I dreamed of such a relationship with my child when I was still in school. And I am happy that my dream has come true
How important is it to you to understand and listen to your daughter, especially in a creative environment? Do you have any advice for other parents about building that kind of relationship with their children?
It is very important for me to understand and listen to my daughter, because she is an independent person with her own vision and idea, different from mine. Sometimes it happens that I can miss something or her vision is simply better and more interesting. Moreover, we are both creative individuals, we are different in temperament and character, but we have a lot in common. The combination of this and understanding each other allows us to create interesting concepts for dance, for creative photo projects. And in everyday life, this brings its own diversity. Because we both know what we both love, what we like, we constantly try to take into account each other's interests. Advice? Become a friend to your child who understands, hears him and shares his hobbies and interests. Total control will not be needed if there is trust. Then the child will become your friend and there will be no gap in communication, because there will always be something that will unite you, in addition to the fact that you are his parents. In my opinion, in any case, it is incredibly important to listen, hear and understand your child. You need to try to become someone who understands and shares his interests and views. Because if you don't do this, the gap between parents and the child will grow and misunderstandings will grow. One more thing... In principle, this has been known for a long time, but I will probably repeat it. The main thing is not to try to realize your dreams with the help of the child. I tried to observe what my daughter wants to do, suggested trying different directions, which allowed her to decide for herself what she is interested in. When a child is not constrained by boundaries, he has inner freedom. So that he does not get lost in the huge number of possibilities, you need to talk to him and discuss with him to help him decide. This applies to any area, including the creative one.
What do you do when you're not thinking about music, work?
My work is so deeply connected to me that it’s hard to take a real break from it. I actually have to remind myself to step away from work every once in a while. Creativity is an output mode, but it’s not endless—you need to recharge. That’s why it’s important for me to get plenty of input as well.
I love traveling, meeting new people, and collecting memories—images and experiences that I can draw from later, especially on dark winter evenings in Berlin. I also enjoy being outdoors and staying active, whether it’s horseback riding, skiing, diving, or other water sports.
At the same time, I love quiet moments at home—playing survival games on our PlayStation, enjoying board games, or visiting museums. I especially love interactive museums because they bring out my inner child. Most of all, I enjoy spending time with my partner and my friends, simply being present and sharing good moments together.
You mentioned that you’ve always wanted to be a friend and sister to your child. Can you talk a bit more about how you foster this friendship and how it’s impacted your lives and work?
I am very glad that at once I tried to understand my daughter and show interest in what she likes, what she lives for. And gradually I myself immersed myself in some areas that were interesting to my daughter. So many common topics for conversation appeared. It is also very important not to forget about yourself and your development! If, in addition, you are from the same field, like, for example, Nastya and I - dance or acting, then it turns out that you motivate and help each other. When we learn choreography, then if something is not clear to someone, then we prompt, help with movements. In any matter, Nastya knows that she can come to me and find understanding and together we will solve any situation. In work, in particular, on set, sometimes it turns out that we are filming together, then we help each other if necessary. We also have constant self-development when it comes to the scheme: I am a photographer, Anastasiia is a model. Here we have mutual development, only each in his own role and this is wonderful. It is easier for Nastya to open up as a model, and I have the opportunity to bring creative projects to life. We both draw, love music, art, we both like to walk in the park on the river bank and have picnics.
Moving to Seoul was a huge decision for both you and Anastasiia. What was the main driving force behind choosing to make this big change, and how has it shaped your lives so far?
We both decided to go to Seoul because thought that we can realize ourselves as a creative persons. As a dancers we are attracted by choreographers, dancers, k-pop groups, etc. We came here to learn from first hand what we love! It's amazing feeling when you come to class and learn choreography from choreographer who create it! As a photographer I love style of Korean photographers, their vision, concepts of photos. I began to take such photos since I was in Russia but wanted to learn more here. Seoul inspired me a lot! I feel that after two years living here I have changed. Have changed my vision, way of thinking... And I'm happy for it! Since I was a child I dreamed to live abroad. When I learned about South Korea I felt that started to be drawn there. Already here we both started acting in dramas, commercial advertisement, music videos. To be on the other side of the camera and see with your own eyes how a film or music video is made is an incredible experience and new impressions and knowledge. Seoul never ceases to amaze us! We both changed a lot during our stay in Korea. Our views changed, some dreams became goals. Yes, it is hard sometimes, but we move forward no matter what.
You said that for you, there’s no such thing as "impossible." Could you share a time when you faced a challenge or obstacle, and how you and your daughter overcame it?
Probably the most difficult thing for us was the move from Russia to South Korea. About 42 hours on the road: bus, two planes, waiting at the airport for about 10 hours, insanely heavy suitcases and backpacks...But we were guided by a dream, and when we saw on the screens on the plane that we were approaching South Korea, it was like a dream come true! At that moment, all the worries and fatigue evaporated! Living in Seoul, there are moments when you have to go through some obstacles, trials. For example, I had such a situation when I was chosen to participate in a program to improve the skills of dancers and choreographers. And it so happened that I was the only foreigner. At that time, I did not know Korean very well. I understood more than half of it, but it was very difficult to communicate. Considering that not only dance classes were planned there, but also some lectures that would be conducted in Korean, I was honestly a little scared and unsure of my abilities. But I decided that since I had such a chance, I simply had to take advantage of it. I am also very grateful to the choreographer and the whole team for their support. I felt very comfortable training. As a result, 2 months of preparation flew by. Another thing, the dance style I got into was absolutely different from what I usually danced. It was the choreo style. It was a bit difficult, but I coped with it. At the end of this course, we had a final concert - a showcase. I had often heard about this, but now I myself participated in such an event for the first time. I tried to make all the movements perfect during training. The showcase was great, we performed wonderfully. We were given a document on completion of the course. This was my first official document on completion of the course in South Korea! An amazing feeling! I was happy! For both of us, another challenge was the evening, or rather the night before the first performance with a dance to the song BamBam feat. Seulgi “Who Are You”. Literally two days before the performance we received the material for the costumes. Considering that I don't have a sewing machine, I had to sew everything by hand... Nastya and I sewed our costumes together literally until the morning before the performance. I was only worried about getting everything done in time! And we did it!!! The costumes were ready by the morning! Every time such a situation arises, of course, at first it's scary, but then, when you decide that you need to do it, the fear goes away and only motivation remains!
How has living in Seoul influenced your personal and professional growth? What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Life in Seoul has had a great impact on me and Nastya. As I can say, the best experience is your own! And in our case, what Nastya and I have been through and are going through cannot be replaced by anything and you can’t get this experience anywhere. Because everyone has their own life! With each new shoot, new acquaintances, new difficulties, we grow and become stronger and wiser! Yes, it can be difficult, I won’t hide it. Even despite the fact that we learned about the mentality and cultural characteristics while still in Russia. To encounter this in real life is something completely different! But we came here and, accordingly, we accept and respect the rules of the game of this society! Of course, if you compare us who we were when we first came here and now, 2.5 years later, we are completely different people. The biggest lesson? Let me think... Mmmm... Probably it is that you will never be 100% ready for what awaits you in the future. Yes, you can calculate the situation as much as possible, imagine a scenario for how events will develop, but life is really a very unpredictable thing. That's what happened to us. There were moments that we didn't expect at all and couldn't influence. The main thing in these moments is not to panic, but to try to assess the situation more or less sensibly and make a decision.
You both are learning the Korean language. How has this been going for you, and how important do you think language is for truly connecting with a new culture?
We love the Korean language very much. We like the sound of it. The most important thing in learning a language, as you know, is practice! I am very glad that now in the courses we have a lot of speaking practice. Language is very important. Yes, sometimes we speak English with Koreans, but Korean is still a priority! To fully immerse yourself in the culture of this country, it is very desirable to know the Korean language! Because language is an integral part of the culture. We both dream of speaking Korean fluently.
What dreams do you and Anastasiia have for the future? Where do you see yourselves in the next few years, both professionally and personally?
Mmmm... As for me, I would like to organize my own photo exhibition. Maybe open my own photo studio. Also develop in dancing. Now I plan to teach dance. I study new dance styles and try to stage choreographies. Another area is playing the piano. I have a musical education in piano. I plan to maintain my level and develop. And of course, I will also develop my acting direction. I plan to improve my level of Korean to fluency in order to be able to play roles in Korean. I will not hide the fact that I am quite ambitious and a little crazy in my ideas and plans. But this is my motivator in life. Anastasiia? One of the main direction is, of course, dancing. Our general plans include staging new choreographies, including original ones. Participation in competitions and festivals. Also, learning the Korean language is a priority. Anastasiia also dreams of being fluent in Korean. In parallel with this, she is currently studying UX/UI design. She also really likes handmade. She crochets. She also reads and draws a lot.
As a mother-daughter duo pursuing your dreams, what would you say to others who might be hesitant to take risks or follow their passions later in life?
Mmm... Perhaps in such a situation you can ask the question - how ready are you to go towards your dream no matter what. How much courage and a little bit of madness are enough to take and change your life drastically. Look at your life and ask yourself: "Am I satisfied with where and how I live, what I do? Am I comfortable where I am?" If you feel that you are internally ready for change, then go forward. The road opens to the one who walks. Opportunities and money will come. Yes, it may be difficult, not everything will always be easy, but... Imagine that you do not change anything in your life, what will you feel in a year, five, ten... I can assume that it will be regret that once you did not have enough courage to look at the situation from a different angle and change your life radically. It is better to do and regret than not to do and then regret it for the rest of your life. No matter how things are in our lives, Nastya and I do not regret at all that we made such a decision in our lives. You know, when we moved to Seoul, after, probably, a month, I remember that several times I caught myself thinking that it was somehow unreal. That we live and study (at first we were studying on Korean courses in University) in Seoul, walk along the streets that we had previously only seen on Instagram. Namsan Tower, Lotte Tower, Han River... When a dream becomes reality, it's an amazing feeling! Take risks, change your life... Listen to yourself, your desires... Be bolder!
Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to people who are looking to make a life-changing decision or follow their passions, what would it be?
Be brave and listen to your heart, because we are given only this life!
Living "on draft" will not work...
