In this episode of the Barakah Blueprint Podcast, I sit down with FalafelKimchi (Bruce Kang, also known as Haroon) — the Korean-Canadian content creator who’s gone viral for his hilarious and thought-provoking takes on Arab culture, language learning, and life as a Muslim convert.

We talk about his journey from a Catholic upbringing in Toronto to embracing Islam, and how that transformation shaped his identity and content. With over half a million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, Haroon has built a community by leaning into humor, authenticity, and the unique challenges of being a “non-Arab Arab.”

From navigating stereotypes and cultural misunderstandings to teaching Arabic in comedic sketches, this conversation dives into the power of storytelling, faith, and laughter to bridge worlds.

If you’ve ever wondered how comedy can carry culture, or how one person can turn identity into influence, you don’t want to miss this one.

Join his Skool Community!

https://www.skool.com/fkarabic/about

FalafelKimchis socials

IG: https://www.instagram.com/falafelkimchi/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@falafelkimchi

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@falafelkimchi

Timeline:

00:00 - Introduction and Origin of the Name 'Falafel Kimchi'

06:17 - Haroon's Early Life and Character Before Islam

11:27 - Journey to Islam: Discovery and Conversion

18:43 - Understanding Islam's Impact and Brotherhood

21:45 - The 'Oh Snap' Moments and Taking the Shahada

26:10 - Family Reactions and Cultural Challenges After Conversion

30:19 - Cultural Resistance and Navigating Traditions

33:39 - Most Awkward Cultural Clash and Family Conflict

38:43 - Reflection on Perseverance and Inspiration from the Conversion Journey

41:31 - Learning Arabic: Challenges and Experiences in Mauritania

48:50 - Going Viral on TikTok and Building a Personal Brand

53:43 - Content Creation Strategy and Audience Engagement

56:37 - Challenges of Identity and Perception as a Muslim Content Creator

59:41 - Audience Reactions and Unexpected Success

63:12 - Managing Growth and Team Building for Content Creation

64:36 - Memorable Audience Reactions and Language Skills

66:41 - Handling Negative Comments and Choosing Battles

69:39 - Haroon's Mission: Creating an Army of Non-Arab Arabic Speakers

71:33 - Upcoming Projects and Community Building

72:34 - Rapid Fire Questions: Food Preferences and Personal Insights

76:28 - Favorite Quranic Verse and Cultural Favorites

79:06 - Muslim Content Creators and Final Thoughts

80:22 - Closing Remarks and Final Advice from Haroon