Raised in America as a Korean Adoptee | The Challenges & Struggles | ep.4

Meet Mark, a Korean born man who was adopted by an American family. He shares his story, experiences, and struggles of the past and present as a result of being an adoptee.
ALL EPISODES from this series: bit.ly/365xWSJ
Be sure to like and share this video! And don’t forget to smash subscribe button! :) 구독 해 주세요!
↓ Consider supporting the channel on Patreon! ↓
bit.ly/2KT9pdm
• --- • --- • --- • --- • --- • --- • --- • --- • --- •
Let's Connect!
►Instagram: bit.ly/2zoamCS
►Twitter: bit.ly/2zoeAdr
► Facebook: bit.ly/2xvdzPC
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]
• -- • --- • --- • --- Gear I Currently Use (with Links) • -- • --- • --- • --- • --- •
Edited with: Final Cut Pro X & Adobe Premiere Pro
• The Perfect Vlogging Camera - amzn.to/2CX2SGj
• The Cinematic Beast - amzn.to/2DtBB1L
• Beautiful Prime Lens - amzn.to/2F0zEHg
• Awesome Telephoto Zoom Lens - amzn.to/2Dm0dpR
• Incredible LED Main (Key) Light: amzn.to/2wESXUH
• Light Dome (Softbox) for Key Light: amzn.to/2wGlyIw
• Pro Camera Mic: amzn.to/2CZYRAH
• Great Budget Mic: amzn.to/2DcnRbu
• Audio Recorder: amzn.to/2AU9Z09
• Cool Bendy Tripod: amzn.to/2DpvXv5

[@skycedi]

A BIG Thank you to Mark for sharing his story with us! If you guys are enjoying these stories, let me know what you think below.

[@smyercomics]

I'm also a Korean adoptee (b. 1986). I identified with Mark's experiences being pretty "home-grown American" i.e. I played softball and also helped my dad on a farm in a small, mostly white rural town. Thank you for sharing this. Mark's really great at telling his story.

[@JESUSISLORDforevermore888]

Do one ( video ) where black kids are adopted by other races and growing up in those cultures.

[@TainyAoC]

Mark is a really good speaker. I enjoyed hearing this experience. Keep being you Mark!

[@TheKamakuraGardener]

I remember flying from Tokyo to Seoul back in the mid 80s and seeing scores of Korean babies back in economy class! This young man may have been one of them. I’m also from a small town in Pennsylvania, though it was a mostly black enclave. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@skycedi]

Wow, you were able to witness a lot of what Mark was talking about. Thank you for watching as always.

[@TheKamakuraGardener]

skycedi: I love what you do! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@clevertechbot]

As an adoptee it is empowering to hear Mark tell his story and that he still doesn't fit in. It is very powerful to make a narrative for adoptees that it's perfectly fine not to fit in.

[@mcarthurspark8636]

Mark's look is unique with shaved head and beard. Very handsome!

[@danicareed189]

His story is so interesting. I love hearing about his experience and how he grew up in America and went back to Korea to teach.

[@TV-jl8oe]

he can work as a voice actor in Korea.. ~ and a great story teller~

[@minitaekook]

Thank you for sharing this! As a Korean adoptee myself, I still struggle with identity issues and it’s hard for someone to truly understand those if they aren’t an adoptee themselves. This whole video was very well done and explained some of those issues very well. Although there are so many adoptees, it can definitely feel at times like you’re the only one going through these things. This video is really comforting in knowing I’m not alone.

[@user-ws2qy6tx5e]

Mark is such a good storyteller. 😊

[@skycedi]

He really is :) thank you for watching~

[@Scl45689]

Legit

[@pagehardy4767]

Mark I enjoyed listening to your story. You are an amazing young man. Thank you Cedi for sharing stories from the Seoul.

[@harrye9105]

I wAS tOTAlly intO hIs Story... wow. I can't imagine how tough it was for him to blend in as an Asian guy. And I hope there would be Korean subtitles for Korean subscribers like me ㅠ-ㅠ ㅋㅋ. It was great work Thx I really APPRECIATED THIS ONE. + To Mark As a "100%" Korean, I cannot feel any privilege and rather have felt such pressures like "This country can go to war at anytime." or "I have to do my best to suit at least in those "average group", "I won't be able to buy my own home in Seoul for my entire life" And 입양아(adoptee) is not a taboo... it's just very sensitive issue and thesedays Korean society turns more and more in to respecting personal space. I think that's why your friends were not eager to talk about that issue so they might not harm your feelings. When I see Korean American I just feel like I want to call him 형 ㅋㅋㅋ. I wish your happiness and thx for featuring in this video.

[@skycedi]

Thank you for the feedback Harry. And good to hear from you :) thanks for sharing your perspective as well. We can all learn from each other!

[@jordiedmond5744]

True there are a lot of mixed race people who love and adapt really fast in Asian countries and they don’t speak the local language My advice is do as them and learn from them as well

[@kang_glimpsesofgrace]

I love this so much! This just popped up as suggested on my home page, and I'm so thankful it did! My husband was adopted from Korea in the 80s, and we are now going through our own adoption journey from Korea! We love to hear of other Korean adoptees and their experiences. Thank you for putting this together!

[@skycedi]

Wow, glad this video popped up at the right time. So happy to hear that Mark’s story resonates with you and your husband. Best of luck with you guys in your adoption journey too!

[@jordiedmond5744]

Wow the world is really small I hope the best for you both

[@thenobleone-3384]

@@skycedi I want connect with other Asian adoptees everybody's story is similar I was born in the United States that's the main difference

[@CoolNumber1]

For some reason, asian men raised by white mothers or white cultures tend to grow beard.

[@timothyzakaria7397]

@@skycedi I have a similar story to Mark but I was adopted illegally my parents got away with giving me to no good people. I hope u write me back Cedric I grew up in the South just like u did. Fayetteville is very different from Texas but it's still in the southern US.

[@ChoyJoy]

I know I’m late watching this but thank you so much for sharing stories of Korean adoptees. Korean adoptees and many news channels make videos about Korean adoptees. But it’s good to see Korean Americans like you and other Korean influencers to recognize adoptees.

[@TheHalfieProject]

Thanks for sharing your story, Mark!! Nice job Skycedi and also... Those suspenders are ON POINT 🔥

[@elisathompson3380]

WOW!! Thanks Mark for sharing your story. It amazes me that people are made to feel shame for something that they have no control, race, birth status etc. Sharing your story will no doubt help adoptees and non adoptees who hear your story have more empathy and acceptance of others. Excellent content as always Skycedi 👍💯

[@emilyj8507]

I just loved listening to his life story. Lovely video!

[@skycedi]

Thank you for watching!

[@LimingLyn]

It good to hear their side of the adoption story. At first I thought he was going to say he was Amish/Quaker. Thanks for sharing your unique journey, it was wonderful to see how you continue to search for you. Searching for your true identity will take years and it's the same struggles any mixed race person has when trying to "fit in". So here's a Dr. Susses quote: Today you are You, that's Truer than True, there is no one alive that's Youer than You. Okay, so what happened when you presented your passport at Customs? Guess that would be another video...what was the reaction? AND has Korea try to get the males adoptees to serve their two years in the army? Great job Skycedi.

[@dwhite-green9133]

Such a thoughtful interview. I am here in the USA. Your guest is a handsome Korean man. I am glad he is back in Korea learning about his homeland. I know Asians are not all perfect but you are a beautiful people in general.....who love your homeland and its traditions. I am glad GOD created Koreans. Hope to be able to come to Korea some day and learn the language before the end of my time. Wonderful interview. I wish you both well !!!

[@Libra8410]

Great video. Thanks for sharing Mark!

[@skycedi]

Thank you for watching

[@peggyroyster3759]

Very interesting life story, I enjoy listening to the speaker tell his story. In my own personal opinion no matter if you are adopted or in a different part of the world and surrounded by all ethnicity of people. It do not change physically who you are. What I mean by saying that is your DNA speak of who you are whether or not you are born or raise in Korea or not. It do not change your "True Self" and those that are born and raise in Korea that Do Not give them the qualifications to say that a korean born or raise outside of Korea is not Korean.Those who judge need to judge thy self.

[@jordiedmond5744]

Yeah it is sad that it is in the most Asian countries

[@JYChoi-yd8oo]

beautifully done. Good job Cedi and Mark! thanks for bringing this story to light;)

[@skycedi]

Thank you JY! I’ve been eager to help Mark share his story for some time. I’m glad he shared :)

[@aijalat94]

Amazing story, my husband is a korean adoptee and he stated the same thing about being left in a basket and then taken to the police station.

[@alguessantoine8548]

Have he found his parents if not he should? Even if he agency cannot track his parents, he should do dna test like 23andme , or some korean dna test.

[@ivyd5485]

Thank you Skycedi for such an interesting series! Mark has such a fascinating story. I am not sure why, but something inside me resonated with this series - maybe because I come from a trans-racial family, although I do consider myself African American. But one thing, my identity is that I belong to the human race and I am accepting of anyone who identifies as belonging to the human race.❤️

[@putmein7611]

I think you and Mark are winners. God bless you guys. Merry Christmas too.

[@antoniaantonia3337]

Much thanks and Respect to Sir Mark for your story😊

[@minnienhle21]

I enjoyed his story. He comes across as a really wise guy. I like his thought processing. I have friends who adopted children who are ethnically different from them and I love being part of their family to see them interact with their children. This has intrigued me, however, in so many ways as I ask myself what the kids identify is. Are they black because of the colour of their skin or are they white because their culture is "white". It reminds me so much of the story of a black girl born to white parents here in South Africa during apartheid. Who was or is she? White or Black? What or who determines your identity. In my opinion it seems like social constructs are too limiting since humans are so complex. Moving to a different city or country changes you, that when you go back to your hometown you are someone different. Then if we follow constructs strictly we begin to lose our sense of belonging or sense of who we are as we try to fit ourselves into those boxes again only to find we no longer fit perfectly. Forgive my rambling. I find the topic of identity very interesting.

[@marig6184]

Mark you are unique and beautiful, I think you were meant to stand out ♥️

[@aubreykyung]

Thank you for sharing your story Mark! I definitely feel you on never being 100% one or the other. I'm 36 and still trying to figure out who I am.

[@margholtz]

You fit in everywhere. That is the upside of not fitting in one particular place

[@applemango9303]

Dont forget ur so valued! Love Fan of. U ! just fallow ur journey!

[@jordiedmond5744]

Wow he is (going to be) 35 but wow he looks 10 years younger than he look like it tells a lot about his positive energy around him Really interesting guy and good storyteller

[@RenCurrymusicalseoul]

Thanks for sharing Mark~ BTW, I'm a fan of your style. Reminds me of one of my favorite musicals 'Newsies'

[@colleenlim1528]

Mark you are good looking attractive man. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@JamConcerned]

Thanks to Mark for sharing his story. Every story is unique and different. Listening to his story I know he felt isolated growing up as the only Asian but I also hope he realizes how fortunate he was. There are so many who aren't adopted and grew up in orphanages, because of Korean's standards, didn't go to college, got the door slammed in their faces because of the stigma of adoption. Mark has a confidence that determines his identity and self worth, instead of listening to how Korean views him as an adoptee. He seems so confident in who he is and so positive. Wish him continued success.

[@loulou_9999]

Thank you both for a great story!

[@user-yc9xn1dy1m]

As a Korean, I feel like that we Korean people should accept and help you to live happily. You are a great man. God bless you!

[@Lee1Min-Ji]

I have been talking to some of my students who have been in foster care about their experiences. I am considering if I may take that on some day.

[@skycedi]

Yes, it’s definitely eye opening when we hear the experiences of children in similar situations. Best of luck in your decision making process too Min-ji!

[@mariajosekrause1192]

What an amazing video! Mark is a really good speaker.

[@janiejl]

Awesome story, praying Mark finds his identity and comes to know that he is seen and valued regardless of society’s views and standards.

[@sunnyshamsa2794]

This video is so well done

[@skycedi]

Thank you for watching!

[@amyj2319]

I am acutally writing a paper about Korean American adoption right now, so this was super interesting and helpful. He is a great speaker and it was interesting to hear about his story.

[@dime7612]

Hey baby! You fit in now!!! It is a new day, and the world knows it. I see you as a human with multiple lineage, and now you get to choose what you like. You’re ahead of the game! I can relate. I’m not adopted, but even being half Korean back in the 70 and 80 in Minnesota was always something to make me feel a bit different back then. I know that feeling of embarrassment, and now I also know how ridiculous it is. I now live in Los Angeles, and it doesn’t matter what your background is, everybody just trying to make money and have their passion in life too!🤓 Thank you for sharing, and you are very handsome!

[@valeriesuelove]

Keep doing videos like these🤗🤗🤗

[@skycedi]

Thank you for the feedback! I most certainly will

[@kobe51]

I can relate to this fellow a lot. I realized that I did absolutely nothing wrong being born into this world and then raised by different groups of people. I was never consulted by the centuries of human society's cultures and norms. It was all just foisted upon me.

[@jordiedmond5744]

He should make a manga about his story it would sell well like a great story teller and good artist do as I recommend you to do it will help you a lot

[@ronyae3652]

Very well done

[@emmahunk5692]

This was SO interesting and enlightening. Well done! And you are a very attractive, charismatic human being.

[@RobinKwonSooHan]

I love that this channel has these types of stories on it. I know that each group (adoptees and halfies) have their own stories to tell and even within each group the stories are personal and unique...but I think we also share similar experiences even though our engagement with those experiences are what make them unique... this type of non-fictional story-telling is heartening to hear and appreciate it so much (from a Korean American adoptee living in Seoul)

[@danielleoakes]

OMG IT'S MARK! I know him from formerly living in Seoul and connecting a little with the adoptee community there. He's so sweet! We've chatted about our adoption stories and experiences before, but it's nice to hear it here in such a nicely produced video. Well done! Also, yeah, I totally agree. Korea is very good at telling you who you are and aren't. It was something I struggled with a lot too.

[@Loveforbutter]

as a Korean adoptee who has just returned in search of my family, this is an amazing series. Thank you so much!

[@margholtz]

Mark you are such a cool dude

[@JESUSISLORDforevermore888]

1/22/2021: Thank you for sharing your testimony, Mark. GOD bless you.

[@susiesuh1418]

He doesn't mention his adoptive parents who loved him and raised him and probably miss him. He mentions burning ships, did he burn the bridge to his hometown and his parents also?

[@peterroache4793]

That was fricken awesome. Thanks heaps Mark!

[@yongyi4086]

identity,ㅡ I think, ㅡ one of the way you can have it, is,ㅡ learn KOREAN history and KOREAN han-gl (한글) . soon as you get it. ㅡ also you will get 'our' (우리). our language(우리말) , our country(우리나라), our society(우리사회), our friends(우리친구), our house(우리집). you are belonging to something. that's what you will recognize deeply in you ㅡ and will love it. the most exciting thing is the relaxed feeling. as you see that the differences, what you didn't know, and now what you know. guess if you know more. han- gl is ㅡ anynody can learn read and write in 10 minutes. (of course if you learn from me) hahaha. 이 쪼쪼글할망구가 이렇게 말하는 이유는 한글은 아주 간단한 구조로 되어 있다. 그러므로, 그 구조만 이해하면, 스스로 익힐수 있다는 것입니다. identity, ㅡ라는 것에 '나'를 묶으려 하기 보다는, 거기서 탈출해서 오로지의 '나' 를 도드라지게 하는, 개체성을 빛나게 하는 '나'를 as is 로 독특하게 살려보려 노력 하면,ㅡ 더 보람되지 않을까, 합니다. 하하하 아구, ㅡ 눈이 아물거린다. 늙지 말으슈. 아프지 말구.ㅡ 손 깨끗이 씻구,ㅡ 아이구 covid 19~

[@clauaome25]

Amazing!! Would like to hear more from him!!

[@marig6184]

Domestic adoption can sometimes be there impossible, so people choose foreign.

[@angelamartin5403]

I really enjoyed this video and was just wondering if you ever met someone who is a Korean adoptee but adopted by a Korean parent. I am 40, almost 41 and I was adopted by a Korean mother and American father. I have never met anyone who has had my same set of circumstances.

[@IndigenousOfNepal]

Interesting with little hurt 😢 I hope he fit in there 😘

[@SunFlower-x3]

Good story, but self acceptance is his first duty, then the rest gets easier. I know Koreans and other races behaves accordingly what they judge you to be however, you have to teach people how to treat you. If you want to be successful with others you have to brush ignorance off of your shoulders. Paul said, " I know what being full is and I know what being hungry is. Pick and choose your encounters. But what does it say about the people that judge you, or places you mentally in a certain status quo.

[@aliyah7216]

Has this guy got an isntagram??? ^^

[@Ragnorok6872]

Leah B @makuyaah :)

[@thenobleone-3384]

I can relate I didn't know my racial background until recently. I'm trying to connect with South Asians and Italians cause I have mixed ancestry

[@jintonic07]

Thank you much for sharing your story. I still have issues as a 44 year old adoptee. Bottom line is, I have no loyalties except to my family and friends. Life was hard being adopted in 76'...America was mean back then lol. Other asians I met were jerks, and so were white, black, etc. Thank God things are finally starting to change for us now days!!!!!!!!!

[@clauaome25]

Very handsome man!!!

[@thenobleone-3384]

Wow

[@mihwarode9630]

Thank you for sharing your story. Be confident, respect who you are. You are chosen by your parents and especially from God. When you know Jesus, you are special and God has adopted you and you are a child of God.

[@thenobleone-3384]

Mark was born in Korea I am trying to move to Italy that's my maternal side. Afghanistan isn't a place I could move due to how underdeveloped and poor. I do pray that Afghan people stop the violence. The Taliban and terrorism I could visit the country before my life is over

[@csong9940]

Not adopted but born in Taiwan and raised in the US. The feeling of never really belonging in one culture or the other exists for us too. White Americans will never see me as fully American while Chinese people see me as more American than Chinese.

[@EnkhbatKhurts]

I would ask Mark why Why so many thoughts on that, why does he need that recognition. He is just like those Asian Americans.

[@thenobleone-3384]

Your an Orphan just like me I was given away right at the time of my birth so I never have met my Biological family

[@mapuche888]

You should live in LA. You'd fit right in.

[@IronFreee]

Your parents probably took a Korean kid because Koreans were very good at abandoning kids and very bad at adopting them. Asians tend to define themselves racially but you don't have to be as close minded. You can befriend whoever you want in all the school, don't just sit at the Asian table...