Where Are You Going, Thomas? | The Journey of a Korean War Orphan

[@tigerlily7246]

This made me cry. im also a Korean adoptee.I was born a year after the war. I remember my family. They loved me but couldnt feed me. they put me in an orphanage when i was 5. Adopted by a lovely family in Los Angeles. I still miss my Korean family to this day. im 66 years old. My mother im sure is gone. my father was American. For some reason I have absolutely no ill feelings, no anger towards my birth family for giving me up. it could be because my adopted family always told me that they must have loved me very much to give me up for a better life. Im incredibly lucky. i had two sets of an amazing family.

[@marchveris]

LA에 살고있는 재미교포입니다. 잘 성장해 주셔서 감사합니다 사랑합니다.

[@billofjazz]

Hi Tiger Lily: I have been sobbing while watching story after story about adoptees from South Korea and China for the past 3 or four years because I got hooked on how a set of girl twins were adopted, one by a family in NJ (Samantha), and the other by a family in Paris (Anais). The title of their KZbin video is "Twinsters" as is their book, I'm a pale face from NY State, 80, and have been married to a woman from Shanghai (we met here in the USA) for 26 years. I cannot explain to you my interest except to say all of the stories so far have ended happily, although one woman met her Korean parents, who also had an older boy and younger girl but didn't want her to meet them. That was sad. Closure is so important. I sincerely hope that your life has been a happy one and that it continues to be, long into the distant future.

[@s.y.1009]

Tiger Lily j

[@clauaome25]

@@billofjazz I've watched those twins too. It's so heart wrenching.

[@la381]

Lily, you were incredibly lucky, twice! That is the most important thing in life - to have a childhood feeling wanted and needed and held with love and pride by your family.

[@tiasara5967]

This man is an A number One WINNER of a human being. Just stunning.

[@mlanae20]

His adoptive parents seemed to be beautiful/caring people.

[@ellendown5508]

I think your adoptive parents gave you so much unconditional love and acceptance that it helped shaped you into the man you are today! I grew up with a family that adopted 3 kids from Korea. Only one, that I know of was adjusted so well. They loved them unconditionally but I think sometimes as adults we can keep the abandonment that we felt growing up and it can shape us. The parents and siblings of those three were wonderful people. It makes me sad but I pray after all these years that they have found their peace with it.

[@paullee9686]

As a Korean American , who live in LA, I am so touched and your story reminded me my childhood. Probably I am around your age. When I was kid in Korea I had two friends like you. one was blue eyed boy and the other was black colored girl. I saw what they went through, i know how was things back then. We were really poor, Life was really harsh specially to children. But in my memories we were happy, playing together. After watching this video, I am really missing those times and those two friends. thanks for this video and thank you Thomas!

[@mayavilaseca2245]

He must have had a wonderful family!!! His view of people is extremely compasionate which makes him a truly loving man. I admire, love and appreciate his possitive view of life. He's right when he counsels others and appreciates how furtunate they were, the choosen ones.

[@anamariaprado2718]

Beautiful life story that can be used to inspire others. Thomas is a mentally and emotionally strong man, not everyone can overcome what he did.

[@livesmart9481]

He went through war, and a huge change as a child. Wow imagine the stress as a little boy...

[@nataliapalovcak9379]

What a BLESSED adoption story. That photo of your father and you as a little boy screams LOVE on your fathers face. LOVE makes life right.

[@barbarasanchez-mitchell8167]

It's JOY that an orphan boy adapted brought to USA made himself SUCCESSFUL

[@elainematsuda714]

I enjoyed Thomas’ experience from where he came from and the triumphs he overcame and his life now. What an incredible journey. Thank you.

[@러블리-h1l]

감동적입니다. 돌고돌아 결국 한국인의 피를 인정하게 되셨군요. 행복하시길 바랍니다.

[@eun-youngjeong4666]

네살 짜리 꼬마가 엄마를 찾으며 길거리를 헤매고 있는 아이를 떠올리며 속으로 며칠째 웁니다. 고아원에 가기까지 겪었을 참혹함도 함께 느끼며 마치 옆에서 보고 있는것 처럼 마음이 아프네요. 그럼에도 불구하고 세상에서 떳떳하게 자신의 자리를 찾고 긍적적인 생각으로 사시는 모습이 아름답고 멀리서 듣고 보기만 한 타인으로서도 많은 위로가 됩니다. 당신이 자랑스럽습니다.

[@bohyunyoo5855]

Eun-young Jeong 저도 지금 며칠째 입양된인들의 영상을 찾아보고있는데.. 어린애들이 이해나 설명도없이 너무나 다른환경에 몇시간만에 떨어졌을걸생각하니 맘이 아프네요..차라리 아무기억없을 정말아기일때 입양된아이들이 어쩌면 럭키할수도있었겠어요.. 암튼 맘이 먹먹하네요..

[@rachelk8422]

what an amazing human being! the world needs more like you Thomas. i'm researching the korean war/conflict for my cousin who is the result of my uncle who served and a woman he met. He wasn't able to bring her back to the states like he wanted. I have no idea what happened to them but I hope to find out. you give me hope of a happy outcome for my cousin. blessings flow.

[@kbtcook]

This is an incredible story. The Korean war orphans were forgotten children during and after the war too. The post-war South Korea government was too poor to take care of these children. American-sponsored orphanages and private overseas adoption agencies sheltered them and found homes for them. As for the rest of the children, I wonder how they survived the street life and what they have have become of.

[@mazovifanai2174]

What a beautiful wholesome person.

[@ainmiky4620]

He took engineering and graduated a little later in life and this gives me hope that I too shall accomplish my engineering degree soon and be successful

[@bubblegumpop6926]

Go for it 😅

[@judymckee5992]

What a beautiful story.

[@la381]

Thomas, your adoptive parents were soooo good looking. Your father, in particular, was a looker! Most importantly, your adoptive parents were so loving and generous towards you. You’re the luckiest adoptee I know.

[@alexandra-q7u1m]

What a weird comment!

[@philo74k]

Now seeing this video I deeply feel sad and sorrry for all the difficult time all these orphans and adoptees have gotten through since Korean war. I as a Korean will always keep in my mind what we have missed due to the war and unsupportive social system. Thank you for youe sincerity 토마스씨 원숙씨..

[@JJ-wj6un]

Really so good to hear his story. I was also adopted at 10. I moved fW & tried hard to improve the best. I do have a loving parents & live the American Dream. God Blessed everyone.

[@HKim0072]

This dude was one of the most famous Korean adoptees to me when I was younger. I think he wrote something in "Seeds from a Silent Tree".

[@lucycuesta9971]

INCREIDABLE MAN ADMIR GOD BLESS YOU!

[@janshiff9942]

Thomas was a beautiful child .God bless you Thomas .😀😀

[@sissyrayself7508]

He got his loving Korean momma after all... In his Wonderful wife!!!

[@mlanae20]

Intresting, I thought the same thing because she seems a bit motherly/older.

[@HKim0072]

The dude is in his late 60s now. He looks much younger.

[@roomofvoices8781]

So Happy to have Thomas as a friend and supporter of our music blessings always...

[@luisalay187]

Wonderful his father! and so cute the boy!

[@debralee1401]

This is such a precious, remarkable story.

[@comjy4570]

Thank you for being happy in your life. This video made me almost cry. As a Korean, I feel so sorry the struggle of your early life. I cannot imagine how difficult it was for you. But so happy for your great life. Please remember all Korean people in Korea support you.

[@johnstevenson4611]

What an amazing person.

[@serendipity10001]

This is an amazing story that is so full of hope, particularly for others faced with similar hardships. I honestly can’t imagine what I would have done had I been abandoned by my mother on the street at any age, let alone at such a very young age! Turning a sad story into a happy one, becoming a success story (with the help of your adoptive parents who definitely deserve credit where credit is due) and making your acquired skills and expertise work for others in your birth country is downright awesome!! Well done, you should be proud of yourself. Thank you for sharing your incredible story.

[@mimmofonda]

He looks like his adopted father! 🥰

[@gumdokim]

She probably gave him up not only because she wasn't able to take care of him but because she would've face discrimination with him being Amerasian. I'm sure it was the hardest thing she ever did...

[@HKim0072]

Korea was dirt f-ing poor back then. People were just trying to survive.

[@karybakk]

She was probably very desperate despite the thought of making that decision to your precious child. It was a horrible time and my Korean family had many stories about it. My mother was born the same year as Thomas .

[@Bitteba48]

What a man? There is a lot of learning for all of us❤️

[@haeinson5739]

Thank you for recording his amazing journey.

[@leeehnee]

He’s a gem. God bless you..❤️🌈✨

[@ainmiky4620]

On another note. This guy is so damn handsome. Like nice skin and everything

[@alexandralee4849]

I enjoyed watching this so much.

[@pugmom9913]

Yes, I did too now will buy a book he has written.

[@chow-zz6nv]

+send a love and a respect. nothing but the best.( greatest respect for your parents) keep up the good work.

[@luisalay187]

Wonderful parents and so loving to all children!!

[@ben08820]

Touched story

[@Beckywrong1]

Wonderful story, thank you for sharing this💕

[@norrisbethke7770]

Thx for the wonderful story 🙏🏻🕊

[@thuyswanberg6389]

Thank you for shared your story and now I want to share with you my story and I hope you like it, Thank you ! I think the Korean and the Vietnam all the same war but happened was difference years, The Vietnam war was started in 1962 ~1975 and all the American Solder fathers left their babies and forgotten their babies for 30 to 40 years later they returned to Vietnam and they was looking for their babies, some they didn't find their babies and some did. Why I said that because I was the one of an orphanage Center in Saigon, I was born in Feb 14 during of the war { Tet } my American Solder father left me when I was 2 months old and my birth mother died during of the war at that time I was lying down next to my death body of my mother and cried at that time was thankful that the old lady was found me and she bring me home and she raised me ............. Vietnam was a cold Blood and Hell war ! By, A Child War Left Behind

[@bannguyen5057]

My whole hearted fell for you! Be blessed!

[@sissyrayself7508]

In genuine curiosity, and with utmost respect I wonder who his biological father is..... On a total different note I will say that it's a Good thing his first degree is in psychology, that . Probably helps him deal with this easier than perhaps others do... As a birthmom.. I will say that I would never just "move on" I think about my son EVERY single day.

[@thomasclement9797]

Because of Bella with 325KAMRA and 23andMe and FTDNA.... I know exactly who my birthfather was.... I'm half Russian Ashkenazi Jew....

[@holim36]

No mention of his American mom n dad, sadly. Please give a huge credit to them who raised a fine n productive citizen of u.s. please don't forget those who r not so lucky as he was. At the same time, I congratulate for his success.

[@gumdokim]

Aw, what a heartwarming story I'm also half Korean half white but I'm 47.

[@billofjazz]

And you are still as beautiful at 47 as you were at 10.

[@JennieBrownFlute]

Beautiful

[@ainmiky4620]

This was so beautiful 😂😂😂😂

[@luisalay187]

Fantantastic live , very positive and always encouraged to look for the meaningful side of things which is how life is presented in front of you ; and simply take it as it is and with drive do the best out of it, to you, and to others as well.

[@janicescott7338]

What wonderful people the adoptive parents were.

[@JLT2342]

What a great story

[@dulcehajjar5826]

Super Like 💕👏

[@orchidemmy6185]

Thomas looks like David Foster..

[@mag1071]

As an adoptee I say “I got PICKED” and you were just “BORN”…

[@jeffvannguy8601]

He was a very cute boy...

[@sissyrayself7508]

This guy is so good looking. He was also was handsome when he was younger..funny thing is..he does not look even half Korean.

[@karybakk]

Yes he does look half Korean- as one myself I can tell immediately ♥️. He is very handsome and what a precious child as all these children are in those pictures.

[@Babyy_girl]

You can definitrly see his Korean heritage!! In Korea you see many people who look alike

[@ceceliagunness1641]

I agree.Some people just don't know how to count their blessings.

[@kathy3459]

I just found this video, years later, but I still feel compelled to add my thoughts. In the years immediately after the Korean conflict, the country was extremely poor and biracial children would have had a very difficult time surviving, especially if they were abandoned. I understand why he's grateful that he was adopted. Mr. Park Clement was raised in his fathers home country, vs his mothers home country. However, he might not fully understand that his situation is vastly different from that of later adoptees, especially after Korea's economic boom began. Full blooded Koreans (not biracial) were adopted out, sometimes without parental consent and without proper vetting of the adoptive parents. But it was done with government approval. The majority of adoptions were probably done appropriately, but evidence shows a significant number of adoptions were not handled properly. And that should not just be dismissed.That's where the distinction is, between early Korean adoptees and later adoptees.

[@magnificent6668]

Damn, Asian mixed with Caucasian apparently ages very, very well

[@larrywarren2431]

I was in Indiana in those years in the Army I had a friend who wanted to be a engineer when he got out of the army but I didn't think he was smart enough to be an engineer but after a few months I realize being from the south and the engineer was a good paying job driving trains and in here on the train I too have a lab. He is yell my best friend

[@nicol.7738]

“His life there must have been uneventful” Is it just me or is her assumption ignorant af?

[@thomasclement9797]

I know.... right?.... that statement she wrote haunted me forever... perhaps it was that I could not speak English to tell her and she grew up in a very protected uneventful childhood herself so projected...

[@andywerner838]

First time I heard this was on a episode of mash

[@63rambler66]

I wonder if he meant blizzard of 77.

[@ink2181]

20:00 양희은/Yang hee-un. singer and songwriter en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yang_Hee-eun

[@thomasclement9797]

She was at our Korean wedding! I love her!!!

[@mag1071]

I was “picked” and you were just “born” is what I use to say..

[@zairxiong1929]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@guidododo4822]

He sounds ignorant. He ended up with a good family. But, not all adoptees were/are fortunate to have been adopted in to a good(sane) family. Some kids end up with an abusive crazy families.

[@annietoh3857]

Your comment is ignorant….😮 It isn’t just abt good/bad adoption family. it is what resulted from the adoption. Do read up his contribution to KAA cause.

[@Babyy_girl]

​@@annietoh3857 whether he is ignorant or not, it is true that the documentary only showed one side of the story. While Thomas was abandoned by his parents, many other adoptees were taken from their mothers against their will, even if they were well cared for. They did not allow mothers to hear from their children ever again and took advantage of the language barrier to make them give up their children. While Thomas was very lucky, it is true that the adoption thing was not as wonderful as it is portrayed here. Many children and birthmothers suffered tremendously through it. The attitude in this documentary reflects the ignorance of the US at the time, portraying themselves as saviours and good samaritans, while the purpose was mainly restoring their image after leaving behind half American children and creating this issue through their own legislation during the occupation of Korea before the Korean war and their ignorance to adjust to the situation in Korea showing where and how help was really needed.

[@debralee1401]

This is such a remarkable, precious story.