For transracial adoptees and people of colour, the past 18 months have felt like an emotional gauntlet. At least, they have for us. From the murder of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, which saw a surge of the Black Lives Matter movement, to rising anti-Asian racism and the Atlanta shootings, to the disparate impacts of COVID-19 due to systemic racism and chronic underfunding in public health, there's been a lot to reckon with. To keep educating ourselves, and in the hopes of continuing and deepening some of our earlier conversations on race and the fight for racial justice, we reached out to our friend, Korean American adoptee Rebecca Kinney. Rebecca is an Associate Professor in the School of Cultural and Critical Studies and American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. She is the author of numerous articles and the book Beautiful Wasteland: The Rise of Detroit as America’s Postindustrial Frontier (University of Minnesota Press, 2016). She is a Fulbright Scholar Korea (2021-2022) and currently lives in Seoul. This is a thought-provoking, in-depth conversation that traverses the historical, personal, and political. First, she starts with a 20-minute primer on Asian American racial formation and settler colonialism - kind of like an audio lecture. Then Rebecca talks about finding her own ethnic identity as a Korean adoptee from the white working class suburbs of Detroit, before we discuss the barriers to solidarity amongst Asian Americans and POCs, and how we might confront anti-black racism as Asian adoptees. Finally, Rebecca talks about living in Korea and her current Fulbright research, before we end with an extended random question segment. We learned a lot from Rebecca and we hope you do too. To learn more about Rebecca’s work, visit https://bgsu.academia.edu/RebeccaJKinney or get in touch at rkinney@bgsu.edu Donate to the Black Lives Matter Movement here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ms_blm_homepage_2019

Adopted Feels

What is the work and how do you know if you're doing it? On Asian American history, activism, and solidarity with Rebecca Kinney

What do birth family reunion, drag, and skating have in common? For Australian Korean adoptee Ellie Kim, all of these things have helped her get to where she is today. In this casual, wide ranging convo, Ellie tells us about how meeting her birth family was a turning point in her life, and how she learned to embrace her numerous identities with the help of community, writing, and good mental health support. We also discuss self-care during lockdown, social media boundaries (or lack thereof), and therapy via Zoom. For anyone who’s unaware, Ellie and Ryan’s current city of Melbourne is - as of this episode's release - in its 241st day of lockdown: the longest, strictest lockdown in the world. There’s not much we can say or do, but we like to think of this as an audio condolence message to all our listeners undergoing lockdown in Melbourne and elsewhere - and invite you to imagine that we’re in your living room sharing a nice cup of tea, some chocolate (preferably Cadbury Marble), and perhaps donning an Oodie. More about Ellie: Ellie is a 30 something year old digital communications professional, sometime writer and okay roller skater living in Melbourne. She met her birth family in 2013 as part of G.O.A.L's First Trip Home and is very slowly writing a book about it. Feel free to follow her on the 'Gram at @irrellievancy for dodgy skate videos, dogs and food. Plus, check out Ellie’s piece in Archer magazine here: https://archermagazine.com.au/2021/07/celebrating-korean-australian-identity/

Asian enough, Australian enough, queer enough: Ellie Kim on reunion, lockdown, and learning to celebrate yourself

[CW: suicide] Pastor Do-Hyun Kim (김도현) talks about his early work in Switzerland and how he first became aware of Korean adoption, the activities he has run at KoRoot over the years to support adoptees, and his tireless commitment to raising awareness of adoption in Korea - including the separation and loss felt by adoptees and original mothers - what he has learned, and the company he has kept. He talks using anger as a powerful force for good, the importance of spotlighting authentic voices, and how he loves to party - for round 1, at least. This is a very special conversation with an incredibly passionate and compassionate man who has devoted so much of his life to supporting Korean adoptee communities and fighting for family preservation.

On Listening, Friendship, and Doing the Work with Pastor Kim of KoRoot

WE’RE BAAAAAACK! Ryan’s in Melbourne lockdown 5.0, or what feels like 50.0, and Hana can only meet up with one other person after 6pm in Seoul. Plus, she can’t listen to music faster than 120BPM at the gym (but songs like Robyn’s Dancing On My Own at 117BPM are A-OK.) Covid restrictions, eh. In this convo, Ryan shares some exciting life news and Hana talks about pandemic hypochondria and her visit to a one-stop-shop health check centre (kind of like a medical jjimjilbang). We also discuss both the weird and wonderful messages we’ve received after the release of Aaron Choe’s short doco for Vice Asia, dealing with haters, and remembering your audience. (Just in case it’s not clear, this episode falls into our casual, random, frivo category!)

Stay out of the comments! Lessons from very minor internet fame

On Adopted Feels, we’ve mainly interviewed friends and friends of friends (sliding into Joel Kim Booster’s DMs didn’t work, unfortunately - if anyone out there can hook us up, please do!). Until now. Korean adoptee Ben Kaplan contacted us out-of-the-blue to offer his story, becoming the first “completely random person” guest on the pod. It would be his first interview, so he apologized in advance in case he was a “noob” (which, for those of you like Ryan who are uninitiated to gamer culture, means 'newbie'). He wasn’t. Ben is incredibly warm, reflective, and generous. This is an in-depth and far-reaching convo about identity and self-exploration: we start with Ben’s time in Seoul, immersed in the underground art scene and doing it rough in a converted machine shop in Mullae, before reaching “rock bottom.” Ben then returned to the US, just as the global financial crisis hit, where he shelved a lot of the questions that Korea had raised, until recent Anti-Asian racism in the US reawakened feelings that had laid dormant for years. We talk about the 3 phases of Ben’s ongoing identity search, how he has come to see being adopted as a superpower rather than as a disadvantage, why he has recently started to think about changing his name, becoming the mentor he never had, and much more! Benjamin Kaplan is a Korean American adoptee currently living in Portland, Oregon. He lived in Korea for 3 years back in the late 2000s and during that time created a website focusing on the underground art scene in Seoul called, The Native Gaze. He now works as a Design Director of Brand Experience at Nike. His wife Erin is also adopted (domestically within the US) and after adopting their dog Pancho last year, they now have a true “family of adoptees.” Check out Ben’s work at www.bvkaplan.com and lots of cute dog content at www.instagram.com/bvkaplan

Actually, we’re f***ing badass: Embarking on The Hero’s Journey 3.0 with Korean Adoptee Ben Kaplan

In this episode we chatted with Edward Yoo Pokropski, the Executive Producer of the upcoming Asian Comedy Fest! Ed is also Writer/Producer for the Brand Creative Team at USA Network and Universal Kids for NBCUniversal. He has been nominated for a daytime Emmy twice and won zero times. He also performs stand-up and hosts events, sometimes for money, sometimes for a drink ticket and a story. He is originally from Philly and proud to be a Korean American adoptee. Ed tells us about moving to New York six years ago, which was the catalyst for developing confidence in his own voice, in both comedy and as an Asian American. This journey from community to activism ultimately led to the creation of the Asian Comedy Fest. Buy tickets now for the digital premiere of the Asian Comedy Fest on May 27th from asiancomedyfest.com (you’ll receive a private link that will stay active for 48 hours) Proceeds benefit Apex for Youth (apexforyouth.org) Follow @asiancomedyfest on Instagram, Twitter and FB Watch Ed’s talk on his Korean adoptee experience for Crushing The Myth here: https://youtu.be/Nn7KNLU2k58 *note: “수박 겉 핥기” (su-bak geot halk-ki) Meaning: doing something superficially, scratching the surface Literal meaning: Licking the skin of a watermelon

Ed Pokropski Ain’t Licking No Watermelons: On Comedy, Confidence, and What It Means To Be Asian American

This episode is an audio recording of a recent online event called “The Intersectional Lives of Transgender Adoptees” (2021.04.26), organized by the adult adoptee organisation Also-Known-As, Inc., under the most excellent leadership of Korean adoptee Mike Mullen. In the first panel of its kind, Ryan, along with three amazing transgender intercountry adoptees—Pauline Park, Jin Jiang, Andy Marra—with facilitator and transgender Korean adoptee Min Matson, discuss what it's like being trans and an adoptee, including grappling with the current resurgence of anti-asian racism and anti-trans legislation, navigating birth family search and reunion, names, and more. This was an informative, insightful, and deeply personal discussion that evolved from numerous conversations between Pauline and Mike over the years and drew over 150 online attendees. Thank you to Mike, AKA, and the panelists for letting us share this special event here, and we hope this contributes to continued conversations in the future! You can also watch the video recording of this event on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mJKggP6UoX0 About Also-Known-As: Also-Known-As, Inc., founded in 1996, is an adult adoptee run organization based in the NY metro area. They provide educational programs, facilitate community building activities, and work hard to elevate the voices of intercountry adoptees. For more info visit: https://www.alsoknownas.org/ Follow the panelists here: Pauline’s blog: https://paulinepark.com/ Jin on Instagram: @jin_jiang0611 Andy on Instagram: @andy_marra Min (facilitator) on Instagram: @sfolliethepug

The Intersectional Lives of Transgender Adoptees: an online panel event by Also-Known-As, Inc.

Not an adoptee and not quite a gyopo, Bastiaan Flikweert, also known as 신서빈, best describes himself as a second generation adoptee. Born in 1999 to two Dutch Korean adoptees, he spent his childhood living in both the Netherlands and Korea. He credits his intercultural upbringing with opening up many opportunities, but also with struggles and questions of identity and belonging. Bastiaan is completing an undergraduate degree with a double major in History and Korean Studies. He is currently living in Seoul, conducting research on the first mothers of transnational adoptees, with a focus on agency versus structure before and after 1966. In some ways Bastiaan’s experiences reminded us of our own: he occupies a liminal space and has already transitioned through periods of living in Korea and the Netherlands, and back again. Bastiaan is thoughtful and reflective beyond his years; he shares eloquently about growing up with two adopted parents and between two countries, his experiences of racism, returning to Korea as an adult, and his hopes to foster the community of second generation adoptees. This was a fascinating interview that sheds light on the intergenerational impacts of being adopted and the insights that sometimes only later generations have. This interview also made us feel very old. Finally, stay tuned until the very end when Bastiaan indulges us in a classic Adopted Feels random question segment! Connect with Bastiaan on Instagram (@b_seovin) or on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/bastiaanflikweert/

Exploring the “2nd gen Korean adoptee” experience with Bastiaan Flikweert, aka 신서빈

Welcome to the second quarter of 2021! (Scary.) This episode finds us in contrasting situations: Ryan has too much work to do and Hana has too little at times, and life in Melbourne is almost back to normal while covid restrictions continue in Seoul. We talk about work, work-life balance, asserting your own needs, and academic/teaching burnout - as well as what we’ve been watching during the pandemic. This convo was borne out of general life fatigue ('languishing,' as the NYT recently put it) and missing having a casual, frivo catch up with each other. We promise that more serious and substantial content is coming your way soon, including further conversations on anti-racism in light of recent events. Warning: This episode contains at least one slow, covid-foggy brain and about 60% laughter. Recommended listening pairings: Washing the dishes, or your 5pm nachos and wine happy hour. Guide to Aussie slang for non-Australian listeners: “yeah, nah” = “I hear you, but no” Plus, register for the Also Known As panel event “The Intersectional Lives of Transgender Adoptees” on April 26, 2021, featuring Ryan! https://www.alsoknownas.org/events/2021/4/26/the-intersectional-lives-of-transgender-adoptees

Catch Up With Us! On Working From Home, Work-Life Im/balance, & Ryan’s pitch for our Reality TV Debut

In this episode, Hana catches up with the “Aussie Dining Club”, a group of Korean Australians in Seoul. Adoptees Blossom Perriard and Meg O’Shea, and Korean Australian chef Peter Jo meet at Hana’s apartment to say farewell to Meg before she returns to Australia. This is a loose, intimate conversation among friends: one who just arrived in Korea, one who’s about to leave, one who has come and gone multiple times - who is more comfortable with disruption and change, and one who craves stability. The group compares life in Korea vs Australia, Korean Adoptee and Korean Australian experiences, and considers whether they would scatter their own ashes in Korea or Australia. You know, the usual stuff. Follow these Korean Australians on Instagram: Blossom Perriard @b_b__p_d (https://instagram.com/b_b__p_d?igshid=4f7x1cvz5als) Meg O’Shea @even.little.meg (https://instagram.com/even.little.meg?igshid=1b4py07xd8omv) Peter Jo @kimchi_pete (https://instagram.com/kimchi_pete?igshid=uj2a0aewce0f)

Vino and Chats with the Aussie Dining Club in Seoul (ft. Blossom Perriard, Meg O'Shea, & Peter Jo)

In this episode we speak with a very special guest: YoungChang Min (민영창), activist and co-director of the Domestic Korean Adoptee Association. It’s a perspective that a lot of overseas adoptees don’t often hear about - that’s been our experience, at least. YoungChang explains what it was like finding out, at the age of 13, that he was adopted - and to have his adoptive mother deny it when he asked her if it was true. He talks about his exposure to overseas Korean adoptees, adoptee activism, the importance of building a home and family, attitudes toward adoption in Korea, and his relief upon meeting a fellow domestic adoptee for the first time. This was a really special and eye-opening convo for us, and we’re very grateful to YoungChang for coming on the podcast. To learn more about the Domestic Korean Adoptee Association, check out his Kakao channel (in Korean): http://pf.kakao.com/_pkndT

From secrecy to activism: A domestic Korean adoptee’s perspective, ft. YoungChang Min

Maree Kinder, a literal beauty boss, third culture kid-grown-woman and Korean adoptee, talks to us about the unique origins of her business Beauty & Seoul, connection to Korea, mental health, and more. Maree Kinder is a multi-award winning entrepreneur and Founder of K-Beauty online store Beauty & Seoul. She is widely credited with making K-Beauty more accessible in the UK. A third culture kid, she was raised in Australia, Japan, Holland and England where she currently resides. Given her own struggles, Maree is a huge advocate of mental health. Outside of running her business, she loves travelling, eating, and cuddles with her pup, Kimchi. Follow Maree on Instagram at @mareekinder and @beauty_and_seoul, and check out the online store at: www.beautyandseoul.co.uk

Feel the Fear and Be a Boss Anyway, ft. Beauty & Seoul Founder Maree Kinder

“I tried so hard to fit into Korea, and I only realised - honestly like six months ago - that I shouldn’t have to try so hard [here] either. I spent so long trying to fit into America...here, I can just be myself...And if people don’t understand me, then so be it. I’m just gonna be who I want to be. I don’t think I could have had that [realisation] without coming to Korea.” January 13th was Korean American Day, which got us thinking about Korean Americans, Korean adoptees, and the ways in which our experiences resonate and intersect. It wasn't until Hana moved to Korea that she became friends with more Korean Americans, who often come here with the same questions, tensions, and yearnings as adoptees. One of these friends is Aaron Yunsuk (윤석) Choe (최): a Korean American filmmaker, musician, DJ, passionate home cook, and avid plant collector - to name but a few of his many hats. In this conversation with Hana, Aaron talks about his childhood in the US, moving to Korea in his mid-20s, and establishing a career in film and TV. Committed to amplifying adoptee voices through film, Aaron shares his experiences connecting with adopted Koreans, and his upcoming documentary project for Vice Asia!

The Stories We Want to Tell: On Trauma, Resilience, & Identity with Korean American Filmmaker Aaron Yunsuk Choe

What is han (한)? What is jeong (정)? How can we apply them in our lives in a practical way? In today’s episode we unpack these Korean concepts and discuss how they may offer different insights from conventional Western psychology. Our guide for this conversation is Kristine Chong, a Korean American spiritual care practitioner and activist. Warm, genuine, and down-to-earth, Kristine tells us about her non-linear pathway to chaplaincy work, her multi-passionate career (a combination of spiritual care, activism, and coffee!), and her approach to ongoing healing, which may be as simple—and as difficult—as small actions, often. We also touch on shared experiences between 2nd generation and adopted Koreans, and the perceived pressure to feel “authentic” in one’s cultural identity. At the very end, Kristine guides us through a beautiful self-jeong healing practice, which you can try with us as you listen—perfect for sitting with any feelings of 2020 grief, anger and loss, and for heading mindfully into the holiday season. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us, Kristine! We truly felt the jeong over Zoom! About Kristine: Kristine Chong (she/her/hers) is a 2nd generation Korean American chaplain, activist, and online editor for Inheritance magazine. A former organizer, service provider, and researcher, Kristine’s ethos of spiritual care is rooted in the interconnectedness of spiritual and social change. Her praxis of care integrates liberationist, postcolonial, anticapitalist, and ecofeminist ethics. To read some of Kristine’s work, and to check out her magazine, please head to: https://www.inheritancemag.com/contributor/kristine-chong

On Han, Jeong, & Healing With Korean American Spiritual Care Practitioner Kristine Chong

Hey everyone, we’ve missed you! In this episode, the two of us sit down for a long overdue transcontinental catch up—but first, Hana shares another extended Seoul life update (she likes to do that)—in which she realises, “Oh s#*^! I live here now”. She also delves into the process of cultural adaptation and the anxiety of not knowing what’s next, followed by a little heart-to-heart with Ryan about life plans versus, uh, less-linear trajectories and the value of following your curiosity. Along the way, we discuss theories from two of our favourite gurus, of course: Brené Brown and Elizabeth Gilbert. What was intended to be a shorter mini-sode got a little blown out, but we hope you can sit down—with your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or covid happy hour martini—and enjoy. Brené Brown on Day 2: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-day-2/ Elizabeth Gilbert on Hummingbirds vs. Jackhammers: http://www.oprah.com/own-supersoulsessions/elizabeth-gilbert-the-curiosity-driven-life-video

Catching Up With Hana & Ryan: On Plans (Or Lack Thereof), Culture Shock, & Curiosity

Did you ever wish there was a podcast hosted by your two best friends who also happen to be adopted from Korea? Omg, this is it! Hana and Ryan, Korean adoptees from Melbourne, Australia, talk about anything and everything adoption related, including race, gender, birth family search and reunion, and more. A little bit silly, 100% honest. Original podcast music by Domus.

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Adopted Feels

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