With only one hundred dollars and a one way ticket, Won Yun began again in the United States after years of displacement. Looking back, he sees his life not just as a story of survival, but as a reminder that the people we walk with shape the legacy we leave behind.

From studying vocal music to running one of the first Korean owned dry cleaners, Chung Kun Lim recounts a journey defined by endurance and reinvention. Her story reveals the quiet trade offs of immigration, where opportunity for the next generation often comes at a personal cost.

Crossing a frozen river and walking alongside thousands fleeing war, Jean Yoon Kwon witnessed the chaos that defined a generation. Her reflections preserve both the beauty of what came before and the lasting imprint of what was lost.

From wartime Japan to Seoul and eventually Chicago, David Soon Ho Kwon recounts a journey marked by discrimination, escape, and reinvention. His memories trace the risks his mother took to protect him, revealing a story grounded in resilience and quiet bravery.

A childhood marked by colonial rule and war led Chang Soon Lee toward a life of faith and service. His journey from Korea to the United States traces how adversity became purpose through ministry, community building, and care for immigrants.

Spring mulberries, mountain air, and the sound of cuckoo birds remain vivid in the memories of In Sook Lee, even as war disrupted her early life. Her journey reveals how resilience and curiosity carried her beyond the limits placed on her, toward a future in the United States.

From wartime uncertainty to starting over in the United States, Jae Hee Jun recounts a journey defined by devotion and endurance. Her story reveals how faith guided her through loss, migration, and the work of building a home and community.

Born in South Hamgyong in 1947, Gil Sung Jun reflects on a life shaped by loss, displacement, and survival after his father was killed during the Korean War. From a harrowing refugee journey to a chance sustained by an American sponsor, his story traces how faith, gratitude, and endurance became a legacy passed on to future generations.

In this Letters to My Hometown conversation, Haesoon Koh and Moohong Roh reflect with their son Michael on grandparents separated from family during the Korean War. Their shared memories trace displacement, resilience, and a hope that the next generation might serve as a bridge toward reconciliation between North and South.

Vana Kim reflects on a life shaped by war, exile, and a search for healing across continents. From Korea to Brazil to Canada, her journey reveals how personal transformation became the foundation for her lifelong commitment to peace.

Suki Park reflects on navigating divorce, motherhood, and life in a new country, sharing how counseling at Family Touch helped her heal and rebuild her family. Her story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and breaking cycles of generational trauma.

Kevin Chang shares his journey growing up with ASD and finding belonging through community and music. Today, he works to create inclusive spaces for others through his leadership with KASEC.

Rosa Chang, co-founder of KASEC, has spent decades advocating for culturally competent care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to community awareness, empathy, and systemic change.

Joy Kim’s journey from a rural Korean village to becoming a leading figure in Korean Studies librarianship is a testament to perseverance and intellectual passion. Her legacy continues through her contributions to preserving Korean American history.

Dr. Brandon Oh shares his path to practicing traditional medicine in Los Angeles, fulfilling a childhood dream. He advocates for holistic care and finding joy through serving others.

Dr. Junwoo Kim blends Eastern and Western approaches to medicine, focusing on whole-body healing. He speaks on the challenges and future of traditional medicine in the U.S.

From farmer to pastor to beekeeper, Sion Kim reflects on a life shaped by faith, resilience, and reinvention. He emphasizes the importance of health, mindset, and purpose in later life.

Han Jik Kim shares his journey into traditional Korean medicine, guided by curiosity and a desire to understand the human body holistically. His work bridges philosophy, healing, and community care.

June Lee, Executive Director of KCCEB, is dedicated to empowering immigrant communities through service and advocacy. Her work focuses on creating meaningful, lasting impact at both individual and community levels.

Pat Lee recounts building a life and business in Oakland as part of the early Korean immigrant community. Her story highlights resilience, entrepreneurship, and the power of community support.