These Korean Adoptees Are Returning to Their Birth Country, to Stay

The number of children born in South Korea, who were put up for international adoption reached its peak in the 1980s. Now, this generation of Korean adoptees is returning back to their country of origin as adults.
Hana and Ryan are two such individuals, who are building a community of transnational Korean adoptees, and tackling the ‘adoptee narrative’ with nuance in their podcast ‘Adopted Feels’.
This community wants to go beyond the common narrative of reconnecting with birth families, and wants to talk about race, belonging and the social stigmas that made South Korea the booming centre of transnational adoption in the first place.
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[@TheBADGamerx]

I also am a Korean adoptee came to America in 1988 at the age of 3. I personally am happy that I was adopted. If you read the statistics on what happens to most South Korean orphans pretty much on their own at 18 to figure out where to go and who will love you very lonely life. So I choose to look at it as a Blessing! I mean obliviously I would like to know who my real parents are but if its meant to be then it will happen

[@mult-tea6107]

I think if people are going to adopt children from a different ethnicity(especially POC) always try to keep them in touch with their culture. Whether that’s through language, books, films, etc.. so they can at least have some sort of connection back home. So many grow up with identity issues because a lot of families just want them to assimilate and it doesn’t work when they’re visible different from you and the people around them. At least try until they get older so they can decide whether or not they want to continue staying connected or leave it behind.

[@SLVperso]

This comment means that you consider that multi-ethnical country cannot work.

[@africanodyssey4805]

@@SLVperso no it does not. It actually encourages diversity as opposed to the overwhelming white bubble that many Korean adoptees are brought into. To adopt any POC child and bring them into an environment where they will be the only outliers in an otherwise white homogeneous community is incredibly damaging and needs to be discussed more. The parents adopting these children usually have never thought about racism or being “othered” bc society doesn’t treat them that way, but their adopted children will go through these things and they need to be cognizant of that

[@SLVperso]

​@@africanodyssey4805 The pesron said : "families just want them to assimilate and it doesn’t work when they’re visible different from you and the people around them". You are thinking as an alienated american (I don't care of your nonsense country). What about a black person or Yemeni (we have a lot of refugee) in korea. According to you they will never be korean because feel different. The person don't talk about racism but culture ; however some black korean do not have any other culture than the rest of korean people. "Black" culture is a concept that exist only in north america.

[@tubester4567]

@@africanodyssey4805 The US is nearly half non-white, and its probably the most multi-cultural country in the world. 85% of Korean orphans grow up in institutions because Koreans dont want to adopt children. Koreans also have the idea of racial purity and dont like mixed race. I think I would rather grow up in the west than live in an institution.

[@aquilifergroup]

That’s absurd. If you adopt a child, you bring that child up in your culture because it’s what you know and it’s what you are living. Later, when they grow up and they want to discover their roots that’s on them. Don’t try to pretend to know a culture and bring them up in what you think is their culture.

[@jasonpaz]

I'm a Korean adoptee. Adopted by Hawaiian dad and Korean mom. I've been loved by my Korean and Hawaiian family and never felt different since I'm the majority in HI. Lately I've been thinking of my biological parents and I can't help but to wonder what happened. I'm grateful to be raised the Hawaiian and Korean way but I feel pain thinking what my biological mom must have felt. Thank you for sharing and am stoked about listening to ur podcast. I want to hang out with u guys!

[@James-wo6zy]

Wow. I'm also a Korean adoptee, adopted by Japanese and Korean parents and brought to Hawaii. As grateful as I am to have spent my entire life here, I also can't help but wonder what happened. Reading your comment was a shock for me honestly, as it made me realize that wow, there's others like me here in Hawaii.

[@laxer123]

SOLD KOREAN

[@jasonpaz]

​@@James-wo6zyMahalo. We should link up one day and talk story. Would be nice tk share experiences

[@hebneh]

I’m glad a Hawaii adoptee responded to this video since as I was watching I kept thinking how different these people’s lives would’ve been if they’d grown up here in Hawaii. They wouldn’t have been the odd, unusual Asian kid who always knew they were different - even if they did have the background of being adopted.

[@isaaccho5848]

@@jasonpaz That's awesome and I think you guys should definitely get in touch some day!

[@worshipthecomedygodseoeunk4010]

im a korean adoptee and when i visited for the first time, it was like a slap in the face honestly. i have quite a complicated relationship with korea, but despite feeling so conflicted, i still continue to pursue learning about the culture, meeting koreans, and would even like to settle down there someday, hoping that someday i will feel more connected. because while i didnt grow up with any korean culture, there is a lot of aspects i found myself almost naturally, in a very surreal, dreamlike way, just being able to "feel" as if this culture is a fundamental part of me that hasnt disappeared and will never disappear. none of my adoptive family cares for korean food, music, history, etc like i do, and yet, when i discovered it 10 years ago, it just felt "right" to "fall down the rabbit hole" and my immediate interest instantly made me a happier person. ive struggled with mental illness and suicidal thoughts all my life, but korean culture was one thing that kept me grounded. korea itself reopens a lot of wounds, but korean culture will always stick, and i think thats whats most complicated for me. for me, its about identity and experience, and its crucial for my sense of self and image to pursue these connections no matter what. dna was always very confusing to me as a child, and so i would like to find any birth relative, but i know not to raise my expectations too high. i didnt have a great adoptive family, in fact they could be abusive at times, so it would mean a lot to me to find someone. what people should know is, korean adoptees have wildly different experiences and not a singular one of us can speak for all of us. in fact, theres a lot of drama in the community. but we do share a common bond, and it is an unbreakable one, a story of trauma, loss, identity reformation and reclamation. and i really wish more people appreciated our stories more instead of listening to our parents tell our stories for us.

[@rhyeras3446]

Hey i hope ur doing okay now, away from ur abusive family

[@novembersky3749]

good u r adopted !love your adopted parent ; )

[@stella-vu8vh]

Its super weird seeing people expect one persons opinion to speak for a group of people. I appreciate you sharing this.

[@florentinag1712]

Cheer up! 💪

[@Rita-md5qo]

A fellow melody! I hope you find the missing piece to gain peace.. have strength!

[@tommo9176]

I know Hana in real life! She is the sister of my best friend (here in Australia). We've spoken a fair few times about what she does and I CANNOT emphasise how much of an incredibly intelligent, passionate, down to earth person she is.

[@famousamos]

Visiting the motherland was a transformative process for me. Never "fit" in with the crowd but a fun place to visit.

[@famousamos]

@loveisnotfree Yeah, I feel you. I looked like everyone else, but the cultural experience is so different from where I grew up.

[@dannnsss8034]

Honestly if you're foreign, you never "fit in" with the crowd. Ask Asian Americans...

[@TAL142]

Despite what said on the media, diversity don't work too well in western culture because they want every culture to dissimilate to their western cultures and values. Yet many Asian nations have lived with different people from different cultures and values for centuries.

[@PrincessSakuno]

@@Name-jw4sj you are completely ignorant and have a lack of understanding and empathy

[@dagamer1992]

For me, I grew up in Korea for 7 years and moved to America in 2010 so I could probably fit in but the language I need to relearn, but it shouldn't be hard since it's my first language

[@lovelypuff9]

I only wish they would have included information about how they interact with their adoptive families now that they have relocated back to South Korea.

[@nfreddyyy]

Yeah I was hoping to hear more about that but I guess maybe that was too personal? Was waiting to hear how it went for her though and it would have felt pretty crap to be that one that was "sent" away when the rest of the family was doing well. I would expect some resentment feels to occur

[@marcynoona]

That's not the topic of the story, though.

[@heredianna2496]

I am actually glad they did not. For once a documentary about adoption who only focus on the adoptees and their perspectives only.

[@paultabuzo3233]

They are racist Leftys to white people that's why they won't show them.

[@lovelypuff9]

@@heredianna2496 But it would also be their perspective on balancing their adoptive culture and their South Korean culture. Talking to the adoptive families is different from the adoptees telling how living in South Korea now shapes how they view/interact with the families that raised them.

[@BeyondChange]

I was adopted by loving Canadian parents in 1988, originally born in Seoul South Korea. Haven't seen my Birth Parents since, and don't have the desire to ever. My childhood was quite rough living in Foster Care as a Child.

[@mikailagray]

Were your in foster care in Korea? I’ve seen some things about children in foster care there and if you are comfortable I would like to hear more about your experience.

[@laxer123]

sold korean

[@72sunrise]

I can't begin to imagine the varied emotions that run thru an adoptee. Having spoken to friends who have been adopted, there is obvious feelings of abandonment, rejection, questioning of identity and where they fit in this world. They are so brave to go on this journey to find their origins.

[@heredianna2496]

@Rilo Saint Phillip Because obviously every parents who give a child for adoption do it because they wanted to not because they had no choice... Obviously you should only be loyal to your adoptive parents who are always loving and perfect and never try to find out how you came into that world. Your life started when you loving adoptive parents saved you so always be loyal and greatgul to them just like every biological kids are always loyal to their always loving and perfect parents... The word is not black and white. There are many greys in between.

[@khirsah666]

@Rilo Saint Phillip I hope you're 10 years old who have no emotional maturity at this point looking at your comments. Or how can you be so ignorant?!! You lack empathy or any understanding of human emotions? Or it's just your Asian hate?

[@coffeebean_]

@Rilo Saint Phillip comments like these are so ignorant. Adoption is not black and white. If you look at China for example, the one child policy created millions of orphans and parents did not give their babies up by choice. If they're discovered they will 1. Go to jail 2. Have the baby taken away/kidnapped and trafficked via the orphanage or 3. Have to pay insanely high fines. Failure to pay would result in either jail time or serious punishment for the family. Being put in that kind of position, I couldn't even imagine. Don't judge birth parents at first glance. Or adoptees wanting to find their roots.

[@linnisberg9561]

​@@heredianna2496that is not always the case. Many children has been stolen from their birth parents and adopted abroad against the parents will. The adoption industry is highly corrupt and us adoptees do not owe anyone our gratitude

[@areasonableperson24]

Not

[@kyleekim461]

It's not just adoptees that feel this way. I was adopted from Korea and my husband immigrated to the states from Korea when he was just a baby. I have a desire to move back, he does not but will do so with me because he knows I am fighting with my identity. The interesting part though is that my oldest son is gravitating towards the Korean culture, much more than I. He even will be attending Uni there. He loves everything Korean, and will probably stay there the rest of his life. He also has a desire to learn his culture, even though he was born in the USA he relates to his Korean heritage more. His brothers could care less, haha. I wish him the best of luck while he is finding his identity also.

[@ashina5924]

Thats amazing, just curious does your husband still speak korean and did you guys teach your children korean?

[@ToadyWoods]

I hope his social life in a Korean university is great, but as far as academics and relationships with professors - it’s really horrible. There’s no love and respect coming from authorities in universities. Students are to be submissive. (My experience and from talking with others).

[@timsohn7057]

We def live in a diff generation. Alot of exchanged students want to go back to Korea after graduating. I was born and raised in US and worked in Korea for several years. Its a pretty good place to live granted you have a stable decent job.

[@kyleekim461]

@@ashina5924 my husband does speak Korean and I speak at a beginners level. My kids only understand a little.

[@kyleekim461]

@@ToadyWoods yeah I educated him about that. He knows. 😊

[@sfcpaulfowle1906]

I was adopted back in 1969. I grew up in Olney Maryland. i went into the Army and was able to visit the Orphanage in Il San Korea. Holt international was adoption agency where my parents adopted me from. thank you for making this video. I did go back to Holt Orphanage in Il San when i was stationed in Korea.

[@GandalftheWise]

How did you feel going back? Did you feel like a foreigner or did it feel like home?

[@sfcpaulfowle1906]

@@GandalftheWise when I went back to Korea felt I was a foreigner because I spent most of time in USA.

[@GandalftheWise]

@@sfcpaulfowle1906 I guess that makes sense. You are culturally an American now although ethnically Korean. Could you ever see yourself living there?

[@area3o1]

wow me too. adopted in '85 and grew up in Olney MD

[@sfcpaulfowle1906]

@@area3o1 what adoption agency did your parents use?

[@stayraddad4638]

Very interesting My Mom was one of the first Korean babies adopted through Holt. She’s visited once and I wish I had the means to visit one day

[@davidcascadian4105]

Has your mom been back?

[@yoshilee7101]

Look up "me and korea" they do tours for adoptees.

[@Omar068]

I was adopted from the Holt Orphanage in 1960 to a family in Washington state. My adoptive family would travel to Cresswell, OR for the Holt picnics in the 1960’s, but as a young child I did not show any interest. Most of the other adoptees were teenagers then.

[@manitoublack]

Great film. Interesting choice to not have the subjects discuss their experience growing up or their relationship with their adopted parents. Also would have been great to understand their experience learning Korean.

[@coleengoodell3550]

This is such an interesting, informative and beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your lives and experiences with us.

[@Seoulsearch616]

Thank you for this. Informative and heart-wrenching. 🌹💖💐

[@guybeauregard]

Great stuff! Kudos to the Vice production crew and these amazing adoptees.

[@emmaharris4028]

I really relate to Jenny Na, especially when she said, "People in America look at me and they see my Korean face. And they assume something about me. They were seeing a Korean person, but I felt very much not like a 'Korean person' on the inside. I didn't even know what that meant." I'm from Minnesota myself. Her words really expressed my own internal feelings.

[@laxer123]

hello sold korean

[@HKim0072]

MN, the land of 10,000 adoptees.

[@LS-fe4ob]

This is so cool. Thanks for sharing your stories. There’s a lot of emotion tied up with one’s identity so this was brave and really inspiring!

[@samhitabharadwaj5403]

Beautiful documentary and an absolutely wonderful message! Lots of love and strength to you all.

[@GandalftheWise]

You are the true beauty. How would you like to earn some American citizenship? I could use a nice exotic wife here in Wisconsin

[@jiminswriter4209]

⁠​⁠@@GandalftheWise To her, you may be the “exotic” one. She’s a human being, not a wild animal.

[@kijnek]

Wow. What an amazing and interesting journey. Thanks for sharing.

[@TuAmigoElMorrocoy]

Im a Latino inmigrant in the US and i always wanted to adopt if i ever was to have children. If i do that, I would adopt another latin child and he will grow up at home speaking spanish surrounded by people that look like them, it would be less traumatic for the child and just easier for everyone, the is no shortage of unwanted children in orphanages in latin america

[@PlayWaves1]

If you live in American the child should speak English as a first language.

[@jiminswriter4209]

⁠@@PlayWaves1No, the child should speak whatever language the parents speak. He or she will learn English in school.

[@HKim0072]

Still might be traumatic and underlying issues, but it will be an easier conversation as they get older.

[@filmzilla]

Beautiful documentary. So illuminating. As a parent, I would like to see the adopted parents visit the children they raised in Korea - spend some time together doing the things they loved growing up together, but in Korea. Thank you.

[@juliaellman3273]

How can you stomache what you ve done. Bought a child? Objectifying a human child probably kidnapped or coerced from his own mother? Then you brainwash and gaslight the child bc of narcissistic selfgratification. Racism! So deeply disgusting and did you know child and 6 abuse is very common in families with international adootees. Adoptees are at the receiving end. #humantrafficker and#slavery=internationaladoption.

[@wferrero]

I was adopted from Korea in 1971 and grew up in the US. Ive always felt American and never had any desire to visit Korea, although I’ve travelled to other Asian countries for vacation. It’s strange to me that some people feel more connected to the country they were born in rather than the one they were raised in.

[@YIGlz]

@dino not everyone is weak and looking for an "identity".

[@YIGlz]

That's because you're strong and don't look for excuses to be miserable. I migrated to the USA from Cuba and I don't feel I've ever gone through an identity or cultural crisis. Why? Cuz I appreciate what I do have and am not a PSY. So good on you for loving the US as home.

[@laxer123]

you are a korean and sold one

[@jiminswriter4209]

@@YIGlzYou were not adopted into a different culture, but immigrated to the US. There is a big difference. You were raised in the culture of your biological parents, so of course, you would not have an identity crisis.

[@YIGlz]

@@jiminswriter4209 I think people, especially nowadays, just want to look for an excuse to be miserable.

[@davinanderson2003]

South Korea owes its adoptees reparations and an apology for selling them.

[@jameschang2873]

I agree! I can see why some Korean adoptees don't like Korean or their culture!

[@vtech920]

I am a Korean Adoptee living in Canada. My Family Adopted me and my brother in 1988 and haven't visited my birth country since. One day I will visit and hopefully meet my birth parents and my older brother and sister.

[@iwan-wr7gn]

My dad is a korean adoptee, he is 50 yrs old. He never went back and i think he will never go back, he said before my death i will return. But till this day i cant talk about korea or being half korean (my mom is dutch). I am planning to go to korean in 2024, to see where my father came from. To see how people live there. I see my self as dutch and korean, but I wonder if i can even see myself as korean. Because i have a dutch mom and a dad who is born and raised in korea till 5 years old. So i dont know

[@Rajagukguk378]

@@iwan-wr7gn kok nama lu iwan blok 🤣

[@laxer123]

sold korean

[@laxer123]

they are your real parents not birth parents you dmb ....they use that word of birth parents or biological parents to fool you ,.

[@charlesberkeley6429]

Korean adoptees who return to Korea have so much in common with the broader Gyopos that do the same. After having lived in Korea for a decade the most utilitarian advice I could give for any Gyopo or foreigner who really wants to make a go of it in Korea is to open your mind and adapt to Korea despite how much it will confront your ideals.

[@chelseaschaefer8091]

I would add to respect the culture as well. Seems obvious but sadly it is not...

[@thomasblanc3457]

When in Rome...

[@YongyoonKim]

@Rilo Saint Phillip yeah this is what I don't understand. I never identified with Korean culture as an American and still don't. It is like if I were to suddenly decide to live in Mongolia because some of my DNA is from there.

[@caut176]

@Rilo Saint Phillip Koreans don't like American Koreans??? Are you really this stupid and small minded? You don't speak for all Koreans. Why do you want to create division and chaos with your fake propaganda? Sounds about white smh. There are plenty of racist threads go there and leave stupid lies and small minded comments. Better yet, go play on a busy highway and rest in piss.

[@jungkooks_microwavephobia]

@Rilo Saint Phillip Lol that last sentence triggered you or what? Just chill out man. Stuff isnt all black and white. Look, its like you’re in a restaurant and you try a dish you‘ve never tried before. You might like it, or you don’t. If you don’t, you can maybe try a bit more to just get used to it and if you still dislike it, you let it be, pay the bill and leave. You don’t throw a tantrum on how you hate trying new things and the entire restaurant is horrible and no one should ever go there.

[@Fleurae]

My mother was adopted from Korea in the 1960s and married my father(who is Caucasian).. I am a product of them. I can understand the feeling of "never fitting in" because I feel it myself. My mother doesn't have any interest in going back to Korea and had no interest in finding any information about her biological parents, but she is deeply ingrained already in Korean culture.

[@randomdds]

Ever consider going to Hawaii? You'd totally fit in.

[@davidjacobs8558]

My landlord is a Greek, who came to USA when he was very young, yet most of his friends are of Greek descend. I have Armenian neighbor, who mostly associate with Armenian people. They are not WASP, but they are still considered white race, but obviously they end up with their own kind to "fit in".

[@jameschang2873]

Are you into Korean culture? You should move there and maybe then, your mother may change her mind about finding her parents!

[@fordjk33]

I was adopted as an infant in '85. I just sent in a DNA test, it's been sitting in my junk drawer for months. I'm curious about my National Origin and I'd love to understand more about where I came from. My adopted parents encouraged some understanding and I got my Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do at a young age but that's it. I'd love to go visit Seoul but I don't know Korean which gives me hesitation.

[@gracey5512]

Just take a trip like you would to any other country. Plenty of foreigners come to Korea now, and most don't speak Korean, and they do fine. Seoul - and especially the subway system - should be a breeze to navigate for an English speaker, as the signs and announcements are in English. Most young Koreans speak some level of English. And there are many American expats in Korea now. I say start your Korea trip in Itaewon neighborhood. I've never been there (Itaewon) myself, but I heard it's a hip place popular with foreigners and locals alike.

[@Stinger913]

There are charities and adoption agencies with programs geared for adult adoptees who want to see the country; some of them will even help initiate and guide the birth family search. I highly recommend you search up “GOAL adoptee visit” and other related/similar organizations. Of course, you don’t have to do any searching if you go to Seoul or Korea though; it’s your choice. You could go simply to sightsee! In that case, I think it’ll be fine as it’s one of the more cosmopolitan cities. There may be people who expect you to speak Korean, but don’t let them stop you from doing what you want to do.

[@tomkang9272]

hey josh i was born in 84 and was adopted soon after from daegu city. i would love to go too but am hesistant to how they would treat me not knowing the language. i should try to learn some. i would love to go one day though.

[@laxer123]

you are a korean and sold

[@HKim0072]

@@tomkang9272 Don't visit Daegu in the summer. It's in the valley in the middle of the country. No breeze and extremely humid. Winters can be a bit cold as well. Would be hard, but shoot for Spring / Fall.

[@nickbellomo3362]

Thank you for this documentary . As I'm studying Korean culture this puts a very big outlook on the back end of many stores in the humanity aspect of culture and how it frames a person. Do you have a covering of what happens to the kids whom are not adopted and some of their outcome.

[@gracey5512]

I'm a Korean-American, and I've met a number of Korean adoptees in my lifetime. All of the Korean adoptees that I've met tended to politely distance themselves from Korean-Americans. I always wondered why and wondered if they just don't like Koreans or just have mixed feelings about Koreans/ Korean descents. So I'm surprised to see adoptees coming to Korea to settle down permanently and trying to learn about Korean culture. Anyway, good luck to you all!

[@arunjosep1410]

What about their adopted parents?

[@jameschang2873]

I think many of them feel betrayed by their Korean parents therefore despise Korea! I use to not understand how they felt, but now I do how some may still feel angry!

[@emmaharris4028]

@@jameschang2873 I'm sure some people feel that way. Being a Korean adoptee myself, I think that I'm afraid of meeting "real" Koreans rather than "hating" them. Sometimes I feel like an imposter. When I meet someone who knows far more about Korean culture than myself, I'm even more of an outsider, especially among Korean-Americans who have remained connected to their ethnic roots. If they start talking about their experiences eating Korean food, watching Korean films without resorting to subtitles, or talking about daily Korean life, there's definitely a sense of loss, and maybe even a little bit of jealousy.

[@jameschang2873]

@@emmaharris4028 But the good thing is many Korean adoptees come to Korea and live their lives out there regardless of their status in Korea, and many of the adoptees learn Korean! I think the younger generation of Korean adoptees can make a change in Korea!

[@kikip3057]

I'm not a KAD but an asian transracial adoptee - I'll just say that when I encounter asian people who grew up asian, we just don't have much in common. So much about the typical asian identity has to do with a multi-generational immigrant narrative, or strong affiliation to certain foods or language or experiences that adoptees just don't have (I've tried following asian meme accounts before, but just end up confused cause I have no idea what they're talking about lol). So it's hard to relate to biologically raised asians and easier to feel a connection to people who were raised just like us and had similar experiences growing up (other adoptees). Personally I feel a lot more connection to adoptees of any race or background, or even mixed race folks, than I do biologically raised asians.

[@smohan123]

Thanks for sharing this

[@jennifermelanson2263]

Hi, my name is Jennifer. I think of my story as being the only one who has gone through what I have gone through. I am 52years young as of today. I know nothing about how I came to be adopted. My adoptive parents told me I was left at an orphanage when I was a baby without any information so the orphanage gave me a name a birth date and well everything I don’t know. My life has been a mystery and I don’t have an identity of who I am or where I came from. I am beyond lost and it eats me up. I have no idea where to start. I want to go to Korea soon. I just thought I would reach out because you guys seem to be in the same place I am. I have been trying to deal with this the best I can but I still feel very empty like a piece of me is missing. I have watched a lot of people finding there birth parents and more than ever I would like to find my identity. If you can guide me in the right direction that would be great. I was adopted by a white family who gave me alot of information that I just don’t know because it doesn’t add up. It wasn’t a good living situation and I don’t have contact with them anymore. The little information I did have like my citizenship papers and pictures and the adoption papers and pretty much my whole school days was stolen from my car. My life feels like a movie and I am so embarrassed about my life. This has taken a lot for me to even write this much to you. Thank you for listening to my rambling. I hope you have a good day or night, not sure.

[@3nbn]

Have you tried a DNA test like 23AndMe or Ancestry? You may find a relative.

[@kenytco68]

I hope you have had a chance to visit South Korea and reconnect in some way with your heritage. No need to be embarrassed about yourself.

[@NorthernerEDM]

I'm Black/White and taken from my mother with my dad not "knowing" about me because he said that she told him she got and "abortion". He didn't "know" of me until I was 22. I think he lied. I was adopted into a white, christian family. I have never met my mom. My grandmother and uncle (who were white) would vist me at the adopted parents house until I was ten. I separated myself from the adopted family and separated my relationship with my dad. I had no sense of self until I realized that I could only build my sense of self on my own. So I am very interested in community and identity. This was relatable. Especially the philospohy aspects to one's journey.

[@maruchan1936]

lol so.... those bottle openers have a little dip. You're supposed to put that on top on the bottle rim and use the other end to pull the top out. Like a lever.

[@elsands9774]

A very good friend of mine went to South Korea about 12 years ago to find her birth parents. She was adopted when she was 2 years old by American parents. To this day, she has stated it was a mistake going there to find her biological parents (she only found her mother/her mother’s family). She found out she wasn’t wanted, and she was treated badly while there by her biological mother and her family. When she came back to the US, she cried for months and ultimately went into therapy. While on therapy, her therapist suggested a support group where there was other individuals who were adopted. It seems lot of individuals do not have the happy ending they think/believe they will have when they find their biological parents.

[@dendromihu8789]

I don't speak for anyone but I think that the popularity and growth of Korea has made it easier for it to be accepted by everyone and not only the people of korean origin when compared with other asian countries.

[@khirsah666]

At first hallyu wave around 2010-15 yeah I would say it really helped but after a while the hate just grew. With covid it just got worse.

[@gracey5512]

@@khirsah666 that sucks. Where do you live?

[@anakirola9204]

I am glad people are re connecting to their roots. It helps relieve the emotional pain they had to go through growing up in another country.

[@lnchudej]

Since doing a few months of research into the camptown of Yongjugol I've learned about the "G.I. babies" who were adopted by families in different parts of the world after the camptown women servicing the American G.I.s gave them up for adoption since the American G.I.s abandoned them or didn't know they existed. I've been curious about whether or not my husband fathered any children with the camptown women. I hope each of the adoptees finds what they are looking for so they can feel whole.

[@jiminswriter4209]

Not all GI babies were born from women “servicing” GI’s. Some came from true relationships. Your curiosity does not really paint your husband in a good light.

[@ryanoke849]

My cousin was adopted from South Korea, to me he is my blood, we were always close, he has returned to Korea and is now married with a beautiful baby boy. He also has been involved as an activist of sorts for other adoptees. I'm very proud of him, love him and am so grateful we had time in our lives together although it might have had some sketchy things that happened for him to get here. Ross I miss you💗

[@laxer123]

sold korean

[@juliaellman3273]

You say you "are so close" but then you do not know him. Your family probably partaken in kidnapping childpurchase and human trafficking and you think you are a "humanitarian" for accepting him as blood. Well you are not and not all "yellow ppl" wants part of your family. He had no choice. You are very ignorant but rest assured it will all return to you and you ll know everyt pain at the recieving end. So stop taking his story as yours. Disgusting.

[@nathanrobinson1438]

God, another I am Korean adoptee and I am a lost soul. I really hate this narrative about us.

[@caut176]

This is not a narrative about Koreans. This is life for THESE Koreans and they have a right to share and educate. I have never heard of this narrative so I learned a lot today. Ignorant is not bliss and hopefully we can learn from our past mistakes by listening and having a willingness to learn.

[@stellp2956]

Nathan would you care to share a little of your story ? I'm hoping that there are at least some adoptees that are happy and settled.

[@SuperMarcoPolo7]

Vice should make an update video on the Adam Crapser case

[@ladydontekno]

The last I heard, he was planning to sue Holt International but that was in 2019 and I haven’t heard anything since. Although I’m not sure how COVID-19 affected things.

[@thejojojo1111]

Totally relate.

[@deeb.9250]

Her hair is gorgeous 😍

[@deanpapadopoulos3314]

As a Greek transnational adoptee, I hear everything you’re saying. Thank you for articulating an experience that has been for quite difficult to find words for.

[@ingridsangheeedwards]

How can we get into contact with this community? I’m also thinking to do the same and would love advice!

[@AkatsukiShadow]

Great story, I can somewhat relate to this being a Korean born in America. America will always view me as a Korean but I'm afraid if I go to Korea they will view me as American. Sometimes I feel that I am not accepted lol, stuck in the middle of no where..

[@ABCDEF-no1cv]

Same

[@christinepak]

Same... when I'm in the US I'm korean and when I'm in Korea I'm American...

[@tubester4567]

But America does view you as an American. Legally you are as American as anyone else, you have the same rights, legal protections and privileges. I know you're talking about the average person who looks at your face and realizes you have an Asian background, but thats the same for many Americans like Hispanics, it doesnt mean you are not American.

[@AkatsukiShadow]

@@tubester4567 Facts!

[@caut176]

And it's a reality everyone understands when living in a foreign land. Keep educating and lifting the small minded people in this world.

[@Pennychaser1]

I moved to US from Korea when I was 12. Now as a 40 yr old, I plan to retire back in my homeland. This was the plan from 5 yrs ago.

[@youngillee718]

Is there a special program or outreach for korean adoptees wanting to know more about returning to Korea?

[@snbatman]

A great place to start is InKAS: www.inkas.org/

[@Stinger913]

Search up GOAL; they have programs about that specifically for adoptees.

[@nospa7432]

Someday these trans national adoptees will become national treasures giving benefits to Korea.

[@user-jd6rc2de9l]

@Rilo Saint Phillip not really, not sure where you got that. I think this is more true in Chinese families. These traditions disappeared in Korea by the turn of the 20th century. I have a female Korean co-worker that is the youngest and only daughter, but she is the most favored (in her own words) and she also has a daughter (the first grandchild) and is so cherished by their family. Daughters in Korea are prized in the family just as the male ones are. That is a very ethnocentric thought and its kinda rough that you are generalizing people just because of a few people in the past.

[@khirsah666]

@Rilo Saint Phillip No you're racist or an uneducated kid who thinks every asian country is the same. You mistaken China with Korea.

[@chazchillings3019]

I think it great. Asia is a very welcoming place. Good neighborhoods. Good jobs. South Korea welcomes many people especially its own people.

[@tubester4567]

Not really. Adoptees are discriminated against in Korea. Its even worse for mixed race Koreans. Koreans generally do not adopt other people's child. Koreans care too much about racial purity and bloodlines.

[@chazchillings3019]

@@tubester4567 i always got involved in a church. They were overwhelmingly positive and I had wonderful friends. We would plan trips together and go out to eat amd shop. They even had a humongous birthday party for me.

[@davidjacobs8558]

@@tubester4567 It has a lot to do with Confucianism. There is severe discrimination against illegitimate children, out of wedlock kids and adoption under Confucianist ideal. Because only legitimate, biological son can carry out Confucianist ritual for the ancestors. Even though most younger generation don't bother with Confucianist rituals, the prejuice still remains strong.

[@khirsah666]

@Rilo Saint Phillip Dude you're everywhere with same comments. A Korean took your girl friend or something? Why this hate god damn.

[@khirsah666]

@Rilo Saint Phillip Sure dude I'm the one crying hmm hmmm...

[@norris007]

Do any other adoptees kind of feel like you dont fit in with either of the countries? I feel like I fit in with most halfies who understand both of the cultures. Love Vice Asia and Asian Boss for covering stories like these that seems to be a very niche audience but in reality a lot of us share the same experiences.

[@sophiakim5565]

Hey, we non-adopted Korean Americans are also straddling between two cultures and never really fit in.,

[@gracey5512]

@@sophiakim5565 I second that

[@billdew945]

I was curious if your family in Australia how they fir in your life today? Are they sad and feel left out or maybe this is to sensitive subject sorry if so

[@stellp2956]

I was wondering that too !

[@judithryle2113]

She does not seem to care if she hurt them

[@hithro5466]

@@judithryle2113 as she said they look different so why would she?

[@jees8128]

Can I get in touch with your group or organisation? I’m in England and feel isolated. I’m preparing to go back to Korea for my second time and hopefully reunite as well with my bio family. Please let me know so I can meet new people and reach out to other adoptees.thank you

[@patrickasplund]

Nobody could have seen the explosion on the world stage that Korea had. I think most parents wouldn't have put their unwanted kids up for adoption had they known. But in 25 years they went from 1 major export to an economic and cultural superpower.

[@daiiahi3403]

I am in a unique position in that I can take from my cultural identity and keep the cultural aspects that I have been taught and hold dear and reject the ones that don't define me today.

[@DC-tm1pt]

I got sooo happy when Matt knew where to direct to open the wine bottle. Not many people know that and yes that's the restaurant way! Its neat! Lol! 😅🙏🏽

[@daiiahi3403]

As an American of Japanese ancestry....YES, it is important to connect with your ancestry. I do know I am missing a lot of my cultural identity. Although born in the US, I have reached out to "recreate" my cultural identity. It is a lot different from Japanese from Japan. BUT I wouldn't trade off on anything.

[@laxer123]

japanese are not americans.. wake the fk up

[@PrincessSakuno]

I didn't know there were Korean adoptees that went to Australia aswell... that puts such a poisonous, frightening and toxic experience in my mind. In the 80s and even pretty much most of the 90s i'd say there were basically very little ethnic/ non white people in Australia in comparison to now. Most of the migration and current globalisation of in Australian society occurred i'd say late end of 90s and maybe began a bit more in the late half of 2000s. I can't imagine growing up as an Asian person myself in an entire town of people where no one looked like me. It's still like that if you go out of the major cities, but the fact there would have been basically zero of other cultural identities surrounding you, or even with a way to find out about other cultures that could have been at least slightly similar sounds so toxic and really neglectful of a life that you decided to take in. I understand adoption was done in good faith and alot of these identity issues weren't really understood of back then, but i just can't help but think of the damage that has been done as a by-product to the identities of adoptees that grew up with no hint of string of connection to their ethnic and cultural origin, and as they grow up into a grown person looking like their ethnicity and being mistaken as so and all that, that comes with it.

[@samsonseah74]

you could go to strathsfield in sydney. there are many koreans there, some shops only understand korean

[@insontibus]

How come there isn't a place in Korea where there are so many Aussies that some shops only speak English? Why is that?

[@samsonseah74]

@@insontibus im trying to say you can meet alot of koreans in stratsfield if you ever have to return to australia and you miss korea

[@insontibus]

​@@samsonseah74 Have to return to Australia? Aussies should be people who WANT to return to Australia.

[@samsonseah74]

@@insontibus well you have an Australian citizenship. So you are both Korean and Australian right

[@insontibus]

​@@samsonseah74 I don't believe in dual loyalty. You're either Australian or you're not.

[@cloudchamois7004]

very interesting

[@TomoyoYumemi]

I watched Mr. Sunshine, and then got this as a recomendation

[@dyamibrooks7980]

I really enjoy you telling your story of adoptee community'.

[@themuffinman4838]

I feel like this is true also for overseas Koreans such as myself lol

[@andrewma7965]

Yeah me too

[@queenmin5902]

I hate being an adoptee, it feels like no matter where I go I don't fit in. If I went to visit South Korea I would need to go with an adoptee group because learning the language for me is too hard. I feel like that part of my life will always feel discordant and strained.

[@PlayWaves1]

That's pretty rude to your adoptive parents who took you in. You think your life would have been better in a Korean orphanage?

[@queenmin5902]

@@PlayWaves1 No, I think I would have gotten molested there like in real life. You’re missing the point. I would rather be aborted, than need to be adopted in the first place. If you’re not adopted, you will never understand.

[@tomkang9272]

i am an adoptee from daegu city s. korea. just look at it as being unique. the older youi get the more you will take it as a blessing.

[@jiminswriter4209]

@@PlayWaves1She’s allowed to feel that way. There are struggles with being an adoptee even in the best of circumstances.

[@HKim0072]

It's ok. It's pretty natural to feel that way as an adoptee. Just focus on yourself, your happiness and self-confidence. I was really uncomfortable with my identity until after high school. Then, I started taking risks and interacting with different people. It's never a perfect fit, but that's ok too. My first interaction with Koreans after high school was fobby ones from my Japanese class. We went out a few times and it was a disaster due to the language barrier.

[@dsmvfl363]

Very cool

[@jdvierra]

Fast forward to year 2021, and there are STILL discrimination against single mothers in South Korea! Even Sayuri (SK celebrity of Japanese origin who became a single mom through sperm donation) was petitioned by South Koreans to be withdrawn from a reality TV show showcasing celebrity parents and their children in fear that she might be a negative influence to society just because she is a single mother... absolute facepalm!

[@insontibus]

Maybe don't fcuk when you're not married? Just a thought...

[@jdvierra]

@@insontibus Maybe you didn't read my comment before you replied? The lady I mentioned had artificial insemination to get pregnant, no fcuking involved if you don't know the process. Some women want to have children while staying single. For as long as she is financially, emotionally and physically prepared for the consequences, then I see no point for people to judge her decision.

[@insontibus]

​@@jdvierra That's incredibly selfish. (A) She deliberately put that child into an abnormal situation. (B) She created a fatherless home. (C) She used her child as an ideological tool to prove a point. It's unforgivably narcissistic.

[@jdvierra]

@@insontibus Just because you have a husband/father doesn't automatically guarantee a "happy" or "normal" upbringing. Also, you can't deny that there are a lot of single mothers all over the world, she's basically representing them and shedding light to how they live through the said TV program. She said it herself, she tried her very best to find a lifetime partner so she can have a conventional family unit, but unfortunately it was just not on her luck. Let me say it again, for as long as she can financially and emotionally support her child, then I see no problem in being a single mother.

[@insontibus]

​@@jdvierra That's a fantasy. (A) Women usually cannot financially support a child alone; there's no such thing as a strong independent woman: Via the government, single mothers by and large reach into the pockets of taxpayers, who are overwhelmingly men. (B) Women cannot provide to a child the emotional support that a man can; beyond about age 7, women have very little value in rearing children into functional, productive adults who are capable of manifesting sustained responsibility. (C) A woman who goes to the trouble of artificial conception is not representative in the slightest of "single mothers", who tend to be poorly educated, have lower than average intelligence, and who got into their predicament through demonstrably poor decision-making. The worry was completely legitimate: She will be mistaken as a successful "single mother" when she is in fact an intelligent narcissist who deliberately created another human being as an ideological tool and play thing.

[@zae73604]

I think about it too

[@jstyles1]

Bittersweet ❤

[@lizdestefano4905]

I'm adopted from the US big Italian military family! I have 7 siblings, I was adopted at 4/5 years old

[@Issaydee]

It's interesting to see that even their features are different from those who grew up in South Korea. It could be because of the mannerism and facial expressions

[@gracey5512]

Hmm. They look very Korean to me. I think it's how they style themselves - the way they wear makeup, haircuts, ways of dress, etc..

[@Qwerty-fy6fx]

3:30 she still has an iphone 5. She’s cool in my book

[@davidjacobs8558]

or poor.

[@dannydevil]

THe besT thinG in this ViDeo was the 'Lava lamp' behind the lady

[@brajan_art]

Lol 😂

[@davidcascadian4105]

We all see value in different things

[@addisonvlogs554]

I’m adopted from South Korea and in the United States

[@tomkang9272]

same! respect!

[@blackthorn5620]

The feelings they have are more of being adopted not necessarily for being Korean. If they had been exposed earlier in life the wouldn't have got a shock later.

[@bilingualenglish]

interesting life story. :) i can see that you are living a different life in Korea but I can also see the love inside it. 한국생활에 잘 적응하고 계신 모습이 너무 보기 좋습니다. ^^

[@lilamayoral1031]

Nice lives story..

[@lolalola2592]

I would like to hear what they actually think about adoption and what piece of advice they would give to any adoptive parent

[@khirsah666]

There's no rulebook for this topic and I don't think it will be logical for them give advice since everyone's situation is different. It's best to get advice from psychologists about it when rising an adopted child. I know an adopted child who started to had problems but after seeing a specialist it really help them.

[@mottahead6464]

Hey.... is it that that bottle of wine is huge ? Or those guys are really small? (Just asking).

[@jimh4727]

Welcome, Home.

[@777jones]

First woman has such a classic Korean look. No matter where she grew up.

[@davidjacobs8558]

you mean "typical"

[@MrJm323]

@@davidjacobs8558 You RACIST !!!!! ...."typical", eh?

[@philipthao8527]

Minnesota in house.

[@Matto_Harvo]

Interesting

[@tonypepperoni3157]

Good morning from Rhode Island

[@paudsmcmack3117]

I would move to Korean sinply for that restaurant at the end! That is sweet! Does it have a name anyone know? Looks delishy!

[@drewjitzoo4378]

Wow

[@reFocusZone]

This is sad to watch these adoptees searching so hard for some kind of fulfillment in life. Not ONCE did anyone mention their FAMILIES back home in Australia and the US …who cared for them since adopting them and very probably poured out their lives and financial resources to make them the healthy, well educated individuals that they clearly are.

[@judithryle2113]

I think Hannah especially is ungrateful and selfish

[@ladydontekno]

Are you adopted?

[@ladydontekno]

@@judithryle2113 explain how?

[@reFocusZone]

@@ladydontekno Explain how that’s relevant. Are you?

[@ladydontekno]

@@reFocusZone yes I am (although not from Korea)

[@omi4470]

Why adopt Internationally when you can adopt nationally instead??

[@esosun7893]

Because it's very difficult to adopt nationally is many western countries if you want a baby rather than a child

[@rivkastock2684]

I understand them. It is better to move on, not get stuck in the border.

[@dannydevil]

Anyone plays star citizen here ?

[@polarizedwavehorizontally7984]

Welcome to come back to korea! ^^

[@freezing5]

Please, please, please all of you check the birth records, and wherever possible the back story. Some families were told a lie that the baby did not survive, and they may be unaware you are alive somewhere overseas. You all deserve the truth.

[@jees8128]

Also Belgium France Holland

[@timothyzakaria7397]

Could someone please write me back I was also adopted and I do not have family I was born in Louisiana

[@davidjacobs8558]

It has a lot to do with Confucianism. There is severe discrimination against illegitimate children, out of wedlock kids and adoption under Confucianist ideal.

[@GandalftheWise]

For good reason. Look at the African-American community. Without men in the household entire Community breaks down. It is unfortunate that the government took the place of the man in the household, by giving free welfare instead of jobs to the men. which allowed feminism to spread rapidly, which is hilarious because considering both men and women were enslaved, this should have been the last group to adopt feminism

[@esosun7893]

And in Ireland it was all down to the Catholic church

[@HKim0072]

11:12 I can now experience what Koreans people do to me, "man, her eyes are small". I think she's the one Korean person I've seen with smaller eyes than me. Korean peeps always tell me I have really small eyes. I'm like geez, I've been getting this my whole life from white people and now my own people too?!? (it doesn't bother me anymore though vs when I was younger.)

[@arunjosep1410]

These guys forgot their adopted parents and settled in korea. No gratitude at all 😞

[@jameschang2873]

?

[@helmandblue8720]

Do you expect biological children to live next door or in the same house as their parents for the rest of their lives? Or is this just a criteria for adopted children to show their gratitude to people who may have even illegally adopted them?

[@jameschang2873]

@@helmandblue8720 Yea I agree with you. Also many Korean and Chinese adoptees tell me many cases where adopted parents were abusive or wanted to get rid of them by putting them in foster care.

[@helmandblue8720]

@@jameschang2873 that is sadly very common. Rehoming in America is totally unregulated and often children end up in very abusive homes after the initial rejection of the first adoptive family. Even if the adoptive family is a good one it doesn't mean the adoptee has to be joined to them by the hips or spend the remainder of their lives serving their adopted parents. I know several Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino adoptees as well as from other transracial adoptions and in none of the cases has it been good for their mental health. Often they are guilted to not look into their roots. Emotional blackmail as the adoptive parents believe they are owed gratitude for saving these "poor/foreign looking" children.

[@kpballa1009]

What is the meaning of life? Where are we from? What are we here for? Does anyone have the true answer?

[@tubester4567]

Right. I have a scottish background but I never felt the need to wear a kilt and eat haggis.

[@insontibus]

​@@tubester4567 White people build civilization wherever they go; your identity is what you made it.

[@katieadamson9849]

@@tubester4567 the choice to immerse yourself in your own history is highly personal, which means the reasons for doing so (or not) are as varied as individual personalities. Some transracial adoptees aren’t interested in their birth cultures at all. Some have abandonment trauma and want to feel accepted by someone, whether that be their adoptive families or their birth culture or communities of their race/ethnicities in diaspora or some other group entirely. Some are just curious, and some get comfort from learning about the life they “missed out on.” Why do people without Korean ancestry decide to go teach English in Korea? (Hint: not all of them do and their reasons are just as varied as adoptees’. One choice does not necessarily invalidate another) Your thoughts regarding your interest in your own ancestry are only yours and, similarly to how you fail to see why KADs are interested in Korean culture, I fail to see why you spent 20 minutes watching a video that you clearly got nothing out of

[@cb-oi4dj]

If I was adopted as a kid by a couple in the US I would never want to come back here

[@MrJm323]

Where is "here", Mr. Bwalya?

[@markmauro7744]

Anybody was adopted in March 1980

[@markmauro7744]

From south korea pussn

[@conniegonzalez6055]

Why are people on this thread shaming these people so much? This is horrible. People have a natural curiosity to understand where they come from. If a human being feels a void, they have a right to find healthy ways to attain peace and happiness. In fact, they in many occasions expressed their gratitude for being raised on American soil. What is the problem?