My adoption history - how I met my biological father | My Journey in Korea | Maria Park

On the 16th of June 1999, I left South Korea for the first time to meet my new danish family. Yes, for those of you who didn't know - I am adopted. On the 27th of March 2022, I flew back to Korea alone, for the first time in 23 years. The past weeks have been super emotional for me. First now, almost 1,5 months later, I am finally (almost without crying) ready to talk about how I met my biological father. So, here is my story.
Thanks for all of the love and support i've recieved so far on my whole journey!
For up to date, day to day "live" content from my trip, make sure you check out my Instagrams, links below:
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Music used:
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MPK

[@caciquebiz]

Your father saying that your mother can close her eyes now that you have come home made me bust into tears…I’m so happy for you. That you found your father. My wife is a Korean adoptee to the U.S. from 1977. She found a cousin here in America from a DNA test our daughter took. It’s been a tough thing for my wife. I pray that we can get to Korea for her some day to meet a parent before they die, if they are not already dead, God willing. Good luck on all your journeys back home. Hopefully one day we will be there too.

[@mariaparkk]

Yeah, thats the part of the Story that gets me everytime as well😅 thank you so much! When you find your biological family, it's not something you can prepare for. It's finding a part of yourself you maybe didn't even know was missing. I don't know what your wifes history is, but I pray she will reunite with her parents some day, and hear their side of the Story🙏 if she is adopted, there is a big chance you can find out information on her biological parents through the adoption agency, they will be able to tell whether they are still alive as well, if they have enough information about them. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for watching! 🤍

[@calebsmith-shuman66]

Thank you for posting your story. My adoptive parents just gave me all my adoption paperwork, and I am also adopted through Holt. Your story gives me hope that I may be able to find my biological parents one day. 🙏

[@mariaparkk]

I am happy my video could help you ! I wish you all the best of luck on finding your biological family☺️🙏

[@user-sf3go3yu4i]

What a story, I cried so much looking at your video. I am flying to Korea in 10 days to meet my biological family, so scared and excited at the same time 🫠

[@mariaparkk]

Sorry for the late reply! Yes, it is a scary journey in a way, but I hope your trip went well and you got the answers you were looking for!🙏

[@user-lt8xu1jc8d]

Such an emotional story but you tell it so well in your free flowing style! It's a tribute to you, your father's openness and your late mom's longing for you that the meeting went so well! For adoptees, it's an unforgettable moment forever to be cherished. All the best to you and your life.

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much🤍

[@South_KOR]

행복하시길 바랍니다. I hope you and family are all happy.

[@GREEN-joh3yau]

우시는 거 보니까 마음이 아프네요ㅠㅠ '어쩌면 같은 언어로 소통했었을수도 있었겠다'라고 생각하니까 뭔가 한국인으로서 많은 생각을하게 만드는 영상이네요. 한국에서 좋은 추억 많이 만들고 가셨었길 바라요. 한국에서 응원합니다😊

[@kiml211]

Thank you so much for sharing. I am also a Korean adoptee adopted through Holt and I was in Korea around the same time, and met my bio family for the first time as well. Best of luck on your next trip!!

[@mariaparkk]

Amazing! So happy for you. I hope everything went well🤍

[@tintumathew8106]

I literally cried my eyes out... God bless you😘

[@mariaparkk]

Awe, thank you 🙏

[@drmx74]

So happy for you ❤!

[@amorfranco913]

Love the way you tell your story, Maria😊. Sad but beautiful! So happy for you to have found your family.. 👏👏

[@susanspence3029]

What a beautiful story. So happy for you to meet your father.

[@mereto]

Thanks for sharing your story! I don't know when or if I'll start a search for my birth family, but I do plan on making a trip back to Korea one day, regardless. It was nice getting a little insight on how this would go. I know not all of the searches are this smooth.

[@Deli24knight]

Was blessed to hear your amazing story of reuniting with your biological dad and so happy that you got to experience South Korea and meet family

[@WBerry-qm4ii]

Your video came up on my YT feed, and I really enjoyed watching and listening to your story and reunion. I too am a KAD and live in America, so I always enjoy listening to other KAD stories and life journeys. I hope your reunion has gone well for you, and that it has instilled positive and happy new discoveries as well as a sense of deeper pride on being Korean. I look forward to watching your other posts!

[@FreeSpirit47]

This is such a touching story. It's your story, I still cried. So very happy for you that you found your bio father. He seems like a very kind & loving person. You do look like your bio mom, from the photos you showed, you have such beautiful skin!

[@misonholliday9492]

You are so beautiful! Hopefully, you have a great relationship with whole family!

[@irenecase7786]

After listening to your incredible story i cannot get you out of my mind, i am sending you and your father love and blessings as you both journey together getting to know your 'New Family' 🙏❤🇬🇧

[@judenicholson5497]

Miraculously beautiful!

[@angelofsoundsasmr2042]

Bless you , I cried listening to this Bless you always 💜💜

[@mariaparkk]

Awe, thank you🤍🤍

[@mairamaira5589]

Your story touched me! I hope you where able to have a great reunion with the rest of your family

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much, I am happy you liked the video! 🤍

[@malangkahome5213]

Love your story

[@ladannuur3670]

Really enjoyed watching and following your journey 🥹

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you for following🙏🤍

[@maras.8513]

Thank you for sharing your story. Looking forward to your update!

[@mariaparkk]

Thanks for watching, i am happy you liked it!!

[@rosaruiz443]

Big congrats young madam, you're so very lucky 'cause you belong to the 20% success rate 👏👏👏 i know this is very late so i can find the continuation of your journey again am happy for you 💝

[@brutalchelsea]

Such a beautiful story, thank you for sharing such a personal experience ❤

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much☺️

[@gopher4life1]

Wow....such a beautiful and touching story. Wish you the best as you continue with your journey to connect with your roots.

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much !🙏

[@all.about.angela]

Can’t wait for your new videos recorded during chuseok!! 🌝 Thank you for sharing!

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you!💓

[@ceciliagloriasoriano6133]

i am so happy for you, your father and the whole family. be happy and keep your bio father posted so you are always connected

[@mariaparkk]

Yes, I will. Thank you so much!

[@angelofsoundsasmr2042]

Can’t wait to see more of your journey with your father , Financial problems causes so much pain sometimes but I am so happy you met your father and I hope you both have good journey forward I am listening and I am here for you

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much, I appreciate it🙏🙏

[@kimberli2391]

You have been blessed. Happy for you!

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much☺️

[@lindapearson8137]

You are beautiful! My daughter from Korea, through Holts, was the perfect daughter, but unfortunately she isn’t interested in finding her parents! She has cut off all relationships with our family and her husbands family! Very sad. She has also cut off her best friends! I did get to meet my great granddaughter! She is absolutely adorable!

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much !🥰 I know adoptees react differently to everything going on, some are going through a lot more trauma than others. I am sorry for your situation, I am sure you raised your daughter in a lovely and safe environment ! I am glad you got to meet your granddaughter at least🥰

[@sophia-luciakwon2792]

What!! You mean you raised a girl who you adopted who later turned her back on you and other family members?

[@MiRae67]

Sssoooo happy for you.🎆🎇❤️ Hope you find your half brother as well. Have a blast in september. 🥰🥰🥰

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much!! 🥰

[@youngyongleong2810]

So touching!!!

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you YY🥰

[@thereseandersson4911]

So nice to hear your story. Thank you for sharing. I’m visiting Korea for the first time this summer. I’m also adopted from Seoul. ❤

[@mariaparkk]

Thanks for watching, I am glad u liked the video🤍 very exciting that you're going to Korea !! I hope you have a good time 😍😍

[@rubylim4219]

Happy for you, lucky you have a chance to meet your biological father.stay safe and have a good trip in coming September and spend quality time with your Korea family specially your father.

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much, appreciate it. Stay happy and healthy! 🥰🙏

[@fionaohmer6819]

Great video kimchi spice! 🥹 Looking forward to the next one

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you 🤍

[@penny9263]

I am very happy for you!!!

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you~! 🥰

[@mysgben]

A long wait, but u made it. Happy for you. You are now richer with more family members and with more new subscribers like me1 Take care!

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you soo much!! Appreciate you 🙏

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

Beautiful. I’m so happy for you.

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you!

[@joannm.anderson7527]

I am ELATED for you and happy travels in September! 😀

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much! :)

[@Truthseeker371]

How wonderful to have a family union. You're lucky to have two sets of parents. Both love you.

[@mariaparkk]

Indeed I am!

[@threetimesknowledge6283]

😥😥😥 GOD BLESS YOU AND OFCOURSE YOUR FATHER AND THE WHOLE FAMILY

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you!

[@elizabeth3230]

Wow! I cried watching this. God bless you and your entire family. Both biological and adopted.

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much !🙏🤍

[@shelleide]

OMG I'm crying!

[@mariaparkk]

I am glad you liked it Shelli!

[@mikebrown41182]

I am very Happy for you. I am adopted aswell, i was adopted in 1987 to Sweden when i was aprox 2-3 months old from Sri Lanka. I wanted to do this travel, out of curiosity and ofc the same question that you had. I might do it next year. I think it's cool that we can relate through similar situation. Ending up in the north from the far East. I am glad that you were able to get the help to find your biological dad, and i am sorry about your biological mom. Thanks for sharing.

[@mariaparkk]

Hey, thanks for sharing your story ! Always happy to hear from other adoptees🥰🥰 I hope you pursue your journey and if you do, feel free to keep me updated !🫶

[@mikebrown41182]

@@mariaparkk I will keep you updated when its time to travel! I hope everything is good with you Maria! 😇🙌🏼

[@sofiapapadopoulou8133]

I am really happy for you that you got to meet him and that you had a great experience ❤

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@elizabethluvuno412]

You must make sure that you love the parents that adopted you because you are here where you are here today because of your adopted parents they played a big role to you life

[@RYDAHL17]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you for watching! 🤍

[@theguynextdoor4978]

Hi Maria. Your story is very touching. I'm glad that your biological father managed to make your mom's wish come true, and that you guys met. I will visit Korea for the first time in 2 months. Very exciting country, culture, history and amazing food. A former classmate came to Norway 40 years ago from Korea. He found his biological mom, a retired English teacher. He always joked and said that now he got two moms. His biological mom, and mom in Norway even became friends. Thereä's no competition or jealousy, only love.They are talking to each other on skype every week. There's always hope when there's a wish on both ends.

[@mariaparkk]

Hey ! Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your friend's story as well. I love to hear it ! 🙏 I hope you have a good trip Korea is an amazing country, there are so many things to experience!

[@Rosandy27]

This hit home! My brother just had a baby with his girlfriend who is a Korean adoptee who was also adopted through holts . She was raised by a white American family in New Jersey. I feel like this is a sensitive topic and I don’t know how to bring it up to her when we talk. I know when you have a baby, you deal with postpartum and like I said I don’t know how personal this may be for her. She might not even want to meet her biological parents. But I’m really grateful she came into my family because she will always be family to me. I would love to see her find her bio family as well, for the closure she probably wants. Her brother was also adopted with her, he has the same mom and dad as her. So I believe her bio parents are possibly looking for them. This story was so inspirational and I believe so many people can relate to this , thank you very much for sharing and allowing us to witness this journey with you. ❤

[@miriampasaquian8844]

family is love...thanks God..🙏🙏💗💗

[@kellimm]

Your mon has become your guardian angel from above.

[@shinjokagama7521]

Best wishes

[@aidamarzo2454]

Wow..congrats and god bless

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you🙏

[@cortlynnelliott1797]

That poor mother thought about you until the day she died and the fact that the father is still alive and hes elderly goes to show you that was some kind of story right there like they couldnt have been teenagers so that was like a 20's love quarrel

[@Bee6669]

Maria, I’m so happy for you ❤ I just found my fathers uncle, and he’s going to try to help me meet my father. Please update! I hope you are doing well, and that your father is actively in your life ❤

[@mariaparkk]

Hi! I'm so happy for you, I wish you the best of luck, keep me updated too !😄

[@sahilruksanadailyvlogs7455]

Nice

[@nalaa9618]

I am crying so much because my boyfriend was also adopted from Korea to Germany and he doesn´t want anything to do with Korea, he can´t speak Korean and doesn´t see himself as one. We had so many fights about this, it breaks my heart. I would love to find his biological parents, because his adoption was not legal like all the other ones in the 80s....I am so speechless

[@mariaparkk]

Hey you❤ I know you have the best intentions at heart, but please keep in mind that every adoptee has their own story and scars from the past. Being adopted is something people who are not adopted will never understand. If your boyfriend does not wish to find his roots, forcing him or arguing with him about it will not solve anything. Remember this is his choice and his journey, not yours. And for some adoptees it is just not a trauma they want to re-live or go through. As an adoptee we were already rejected and given up as babies, and searching for our roots is a potential second rejection that not many are ready to face. Maybe his parents so not wish to see him. Maybe they are not doing well. I imagine if I met my mother years ago, being reunited and then losing her again in 2019, would have been heartbreaking. Please dont push your boyfriend too much on this subject. His time will come, and when he is ready it will happen but forcing someone to re-live a trauma usually never ends well. I hope this will help you understand why your boyfriend might not want to reconnect with his roots❤

[@HKim0072]

Some people run away from it. Others run towards it. I started to get interested in Korean stuff when I went to college. Korean stuff was not worldwide or cool back then though. Just takes some people longer. I'm sure someday he'll become a bit curious.

[@AG-ev3hj]

Your boyfriend is the one that's the adoptee not you.. It's really gross that you're invalidating him

[@movewithmeeja1745]

Do you have any other social media?! I can’t find you on instagram 😢

[@mariaparkk]

Hii🌺 I have Instagram: @mariaparkk_ & @mxpk_ 🤍

[@jazlynn02]

My adoption was also through Holt Adoption agency back in 1985. I know i have a brother because i was adopted when i was 9 years old. Ive been back to Korea about 10 times now but never had any interst to look for my biological family. Main reason, i was always worried about how my adopted parents would feel. They never made me feel like i was adopted. How did your adopted parents feel about you find your biological family?

[@mariaparkk]

Hey! Thanks for sharing your story as well, always makes me happy to hear from other adoptees :) my parents have always been very transparent with me and my brother being adopted. When I told them I was planning a trip to Korea, my dad was the first person to send me all documents from my adoption. They always encouraged me and my brother (also adopted) to be open to look for our roots. So in my case I never had any worries on that matter, when I finally met my biological father my parents were so happy for me, and they still are of course. I dont think you have to worry. Maybe you should talk with your adoptive parents about it. Finding your biological family does not take anything from your adopted family :)

[@HKim0072]

My parents were very supportive. I had a long(er) runway to digest it. Although I didn't tell them I was going to Korea and called them when I was at my biological parent's house in Korea and let them know (sons are jerks, lol).

[@sianpryce3685]

I hope you'll involve your addopted parents too

[@mariaparkk]

Ofcourse! ☺️

[@vanjadavidsen579]

spændende

[@mariaparkk]

Ved ikke, om der er noget specielt for adopterede, men der er vist noget, som hedder Korea klubben på Facebook ☺️

[@vanjadavidsen579]

@@mariaparkk tak. og tak for at dele din historie

[@sahilruksanadailyvlogs7455]

Good morning

[@mariaparkk]

good morning! :)

[@zae73604]

Congratulations l wish l could do that too

[@zae73604]

I'm also adopted

[@mariaparkk]

Why can't you?

[@zae73604]

I dont know lm to old l guess

[@zae73604]

Past away l guess u now

[@jlynnd1616]

The Danish accent and the Korean accent sound very similar

[@sahilruksanadailyvlogs7455]

Hello sister g Kaisi hain aap 🇵🇰⛪🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@reginakingola1755]

Look a like 👍.

[@Timothee_Chalamet_CMBYN]

Lol. I was like if you were adopted why do you have such an accent then you said to Denmark and I was like…ahhhh.

[@mariaparkk]

Hahah, good timing😆

[@HKim0072]

Pretty sure record keeping got much better by the late 1990s. Prior decades is much worse. AI language translation is way better these days. I had to use a paper dictionary when I first met my family (although I speak a little bit. Basically, a 2 year old vocabulary.)

[@liriogalvan9131]

Oh beautiful 😍 I am very happy for you and you father GOD bless you always amen and you whole family amen 🙏 JESUSCRISTO Jesus Christ love you amen 🙏💜🌻

[@mariaparkk]

Thank you so much🙏

[@ThreeorMore209]

You are so beautiful - like a porcelain doll.

[@Ola55578]

I don't understand why adoptee always end up finding their biological parents. They gave up on you, so you should do the same. The real family doesn't leave you like that. Many Asian parents just want grown up children to financially support them. I wish you treasure your spiritual/real parents more - blood related or not.

[@roar5853]

At the time, Korea was poor and many children were kidnapped and sold to the West. This is what is currently happening on the African continent. Contrary to what you may think, Korean parents whose children are taken away spend their whole lives looking for them or even divorce due to mental pain.

[@roar5853]

And don’t judge adopted child’s natural desires carelessly. Also, Asia is not one cultural region. Let's not forget that generalizations are a form of racism.

[@jlynnd1616]

I think it's kind of unusual to find your biological father but not your mother

[@tainanking]

Holt did a lot of illegal adoptions. So as if they are actually helping, it’s confusing. They might be excusing a few of their wrongs in the past but it’s well documented that holt changed names of some children and some children were not supposed to be up for adoption but rather parents thought they would leave them at the orphanage and would see them again.

[@mariaparkk]

Yes, unfortunately there are a lot of stories like this not only from Korea but from a lot of other countries too. It's terrible for the families that were affected by this of course !! I can only speak from my own experience, and in my case Holt and its employees were the reason why I am now reunited with my biological family, so I am deeply grateful for them in that regard. It does not right their wrongs from the past of course, I'm just trying to bring some perspective to the full picture.

[@HKim0072]

Most of the shady stuff happened much earlier. Stuff was pretty legit by the late 1990s. '97 Financial crisis hit Korea hard though. People still adopt from Korea, but there is a more defined social system. Government pays stipends per kid in orphanages.

[@tainanking]

@@HKim0072 yeah obviously it makes sense but still there are so many unaccounted for that were illegal.

[@HKim0072]

@@tainanking Doesn't bother me as much. Korea was just doing their best to survive back then. Government was making a lot of tough choices and bad ones. Gotta remember, this is the same government that killed its own citizens for political control. Any system that lacks regulation is going to have issues.

[@tainanking]

@@HKim0072 yeah why would it bother you? but does that make it ok? lol. just because worse things were happening, doesn't make it ok. There;s enough asians in america who aren't adopted who have identity crisis but adopted kids really have it tough. lol

[@BkkParichat]

"Only 20 percent". Why are you quoting that? Do you think it's a lie? You didn't explain why you put that specific fact in quotes. Perhaps, you don't believe it's a true statement. If you believe it, then the quotes aren't necessary. It would be interesting to know if the meaning behind your statement is nuanced. If it is not, then quote marks are not necessary and ridiculous.

[@mariaparkk]

I put quote "only" because its not too low, its still a lot but saying 'only' indicates its low. Hope that answered your question :) thanks for watching !

[@jameschang2873]

Do you forgive your parents? Do you think Korean adoptees should not have a anger on their shoulder? I notice some Korean or Asian adoptees hate being Asian!

[@mariaparkk]

Good question! I can understand why some adoptees may feel anger towards their biological parents, but in my case i ended up in a great family with a lot of love and care, so I have nothing to be mad about. In my case it was also not a matter of being adopted away because my parents didnt want me, they simply couldnt give me the life they wished for me. But it probably depends on the individual and where they end up after adoption too. I was also lucky enough to end up with friends and family who made me feel proud of being asian! and even more specifically Korean. So I never felt ashamed or wanted to be something else, but I can understand how some might

[@jameschang2873]

@@mariaparkk Did you ever hear about that Korean baby who died at the abuse by adoptive parents in Korea! It sad! adoptees face 2 tragedy's with biologicals and adoptive parents!