I Accidentally Found Out I Was Adopted at 16 (Black & Korean Adoptee)

[@TheHalfieProject]

The Halfie Project exists to share experiences as they are. That being said, it is not our place to judge, surmise, guess or assume the mindsets or circumstances of anyone and their choices they make. We hope you’ll feel the same way and watch with the same compassion and appreciation we have when we interview our guests. Thanks for watching.

[@missmorrison3687]

I am crying right now. I feel and know his hurt, I live his pain everyday. I am half African American and Korean. I was born in 1982. I was told my birth mother had me and took me to the baby sitter and she never came back. After some time. My sitter took me an orphanage (Along with another female. I strongly believe this other female was my mother seeing me off for the last time.) in hopes that I would get adopted and come to the US. I always knew I was adopted. The American kids never let me forget that. Along with my slanted eyes and puffy mixed hair. My adopted life was hard and I went through things you only see on tv. Today, I am 40 years old and a mother of four amazing kids. I have learned to love myself and accept the path that was given to me. My only hopes are to find my mother. I was blessed enough to find my father through ancestry DNA and he has been great! I pray I can find her to tell her thank you for loving me more than herself. My name Ae Mo, says it all. I need her to know she has grandkids who is wanting to know her. I pray that anyone in my shoes. No matter what race finds all answers that they are searching for. Not knowing and being with her is like forever having this dark space in your heart that not even the sweetest hugs from your kids could fill. It is something so deep that only God or answers will fill. I wish this hurt on no one. This hurt has almost broken me down a few time. Thankfully, the blood that flows within me forces me to fix my crown. While never forgetting that each day I am allowed to wake is a great day for change. Another chance to be a blessing to someone.

[@tonisumblin2719]

I’m also Black Korean. Born just after the Korean War. Turn your pain into something positive. In 2007, I volunteered with Holt children’s homes in Korea. Molly Holt, daughter of Ted Holt and his wife, is now deceased. The Holt family started the Korean adoptee project. Research their history. It’s fascinating. I volunteered for one month. And learned so much. I felt very connected to Korea. Being there helped me in many ways. My adopted family were wonderful. Unfortunately, both my parents are deceased. You have to remember that we are often bonded more by love than blood. Whatever reasons there are for our mothers to give us up, we’re still in charge of our own destiny. It may take time to heal from pain but start your journey. You deserve to be happy and live a full life. ❤

[@missmorrison3687]

@@tonisumblin2719 💪🏾🤗🥰! Thank you for the positive response. You are right. The best way to let go of bad memories, is to create good ones. I was adopted through the Korean Welfare Society, that is wonderful you have become closer with your past and make an amazing path to share your history. Thanks again! Stay safe and I look forward to any future update on your journey!

[@tonisumblin2719]

@@missmorrison3687 ❤️❤️

[@skycedi]

Thank you for sharing your story Rick. You have the support from all of us in the Halfie community and beyond as you continue on your journey. 🙏🏽

[@mkim4091]

Rick thanks for sharing your story. You have a beautiful daughter. All the best in your journey of searching for your birth mother.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

I'm so glad he got to connect with his Black side. God, I can't imagine what Korean kids adopted by non-Korean parents must go through.

[@Jun-ou8or]

Hello Rick. Great interview and story. I am also half Black / Korean. Completely understand what you meant in all aspects. I was fortunate enough to grow up with my Korean-mother and Black-father in America. I also lived in Korea for many years as a student and for work. The Korean story is a beautiful story, steeped in tragedy and hardship. I believe there within is the strength and resiliency of the Korean people, which you clearly possess. I hope you find everything you are searching for and much more. Many blessings to you and your family.

[@blahz7152]

He isn't Korean and neither are you

[@Jun-ou8or]

@@blahz7152 And what are you my friend?

[@blahz7152]

@@Jun-ou8or Korean

[@Jun-ou8or]

@@blahz7152 more than the idea of ethnic identity, we must also consider the totality of the human experience. I am not certain I will ever truly understand or know what I am, in the sense of potential. I believe this is also what makes life interesting, is it not? We are able to continuously grow and learn, to be the best version of ourselves as possible. In the aspect of homogeneity, it is also interesting how interwoven our backgrounds have become. This presents much irony. The struggle of identity exists beyond bloodlines. I have many friends who, like Rick, were adopted abroad and have lost their Korean identity, despite being ethnic Korean. How do they fit? Where do they fit? Who is the authority to determine who is what? Does acceptance in one community or social setting guarantee acceptance in another? Rick has overcome obstacles and challenges/difficulties to present himself as honorable. His heart, passion, drive, determination in the face of adversity and obstinate challenges has produced a quality of strength, many lack. In the cumulative sense, ethnic identity of course is not a qualifier to being a worthwhile human with fulfilled potential. this comment is not directed toward you in particular, my internet friend, but just as a thought exercise. thank you for allowing me to explore this topic.

[@blahz7152]

@@Jun-ou8or You can't recover something you never had. Korean ethnicity is exclusive, not inclusive. We don't want people thinking that anyone can become Korean, it cheapens the meaning of being Korean. I don't feel bad for you, blame your parents

[@julianafood]

It is amazing to hear Rick’s story. I’ve watched every episode of kimchi chronicles when it was released. I love Rick’s positive mindset and hope that he is able to find his birth mother.

[@1nielsemo1]

Hello, Rick GOD Bless, your step Dad & Mom, adopted you, and they raised you well. I hope many success to your life, your stay in Korea.

[@bonds88]

I grew up in a foster home... just found out I'm ( part) Asian recently at 48 years old. Nice to hear the story of someone somewhat similar to mine.

[@1nielsemo1]

And I forgot to mention the one of real key points about you & your story. Your daughter she so gorgeous 😍

[@mariexavier5829]

Great interview! Was that Skycedi asking a question in the background? I miss him.

[@TheHalfieProject]

It was him! Skycedi still is around and thinking up his next videos :)

[@jellybellyfun3288]

2:00 "Black" is not a country, though, just like "Asian" is not a country. What would he be connecting to??? Also, because he looks Asian and Black, both sides wouldn't have embraced him in the 1990's or before. Black people would look at him and ask him what kind of Asian he is. Asian people would look at him and see a Black man. The world is cruel.

[@adrians-ro8kk]

He would be connecting to African American culture and Korean Culture. I think it's pretty obvious lol

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

Thank you for sharing this and other histories. They are difficult and sad to hear, but also exciting and uplifting to know of people helping each other, caring about others and being kind. God bless you.

[@2jworld]

Thank you for sharing your story, Rick. I watched Kimchi chronicle and Marja's interview for Korean news very long times ago. Didn't know she has a brother. With her memory in Korea including her experience in the orphanage, she is such a big sister to keep the secret from you. I don't know about the detail but I felt such a lovely vibe from your step parents and your big sis. Good luck with everything 🫶

[@kimmcfadden4679]

It just shows you the idea of race the is really a social construct. My mother and my uncle had talked about the blending of cultures in our family but I didn't have the details in a story and then I found out more than a decade ago just by looking at the census records that my grandmother's side of the family was listed as mulatto so that means there's a European side to us that has been documented but in America if you have an African bloodline you're not supposed to necessarily acknowledge that European part. There's a whole history on how these people got together and we're just supposed to ignore the white part like it's not in our genes &: that it all happened through rape and that is not true. That's unfortunate...

[@jellybellyfun3288]

He looks very Asian and Black, so how could he not have suspected he's Asian?

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

@@oh_k8yeah I met someone who graduated from my current high school in 24’ orginally from Jamaica but moved to South Carolina and quickly picked up English despite only living in the U.S for 3 years then came to North Carolina. She told me her grandfather was Chinese

[@knowledgeisablessing8767]

​@gwenmloveskpopandmore if she was originally from Jamaica, she would already speak English and Patwah. I think you mean she adopted an American accent and stop speaking in Patwah and stopped speaking English with a Jamaican accent.

[@gwenmloveskpopandmore]

@@knowledgeisablessing8767 ur correct

[@Me-xoxoz]

Some Africans have Asian features. It is said the Asian ancestry are linked the San people

[@dhaton2314]

@@Me-xoxozI once saw a woman sonewhere in Africa I was convinced is Japanese. I have been to Japan more than 12 times so I know what a Japanese looks like. I told her neighbour this, the neighbour burst into laughter and said she is not a Japanese, she us from there. i was in shock i did not enquire if she was mixed - as all her features look Japanese to me - afraid to embarrass myself twice

[@pattyh2410]

Has he found DNA matches on his birth father's side? Is there another video where he discusses his birth father information?

[@liliebilie]

I feel like Rick does look very Korean but he has brown skin and I think that can make people ignore other features and only focus on the skin colour

[@Kkachi1234]

O Marja is your sister? I watched Kimchee chronicle.. wishing you find your mother soon!