NAYA (나야): Shaman Mudang follows New York–based practitioner Jennifer Kim as she transforms personal trauma into a path of spiritual healing. Through her work, she seeks to mend relationships and address the deep-rooted han within the Korean diaspora.

Taking on responsibility at a young age, Myung Hee Jung reflects on sacrifice, migration, and unrealized dreams. In the end, she finds fulfillment in the family she built.

Working at the intersection of journalism and community advocacy, Lily Kim highlights the unique role of Korean American media. Her reporting has helped drive meaningful change at the local level.

Growing up Blasian in Koreatown, Vida reflects on identity, belonging, and the complexities of family acceptance. Her story is deeply tied to place, memory, and community.

For Judy Han and Jennifer Chun, identity has never been singular. In reflecting on their experiences as queer Korean Americans, they explore the complexities, tensions, and evolving sense of self that come with living between worlds.

Navigating both queer and Korean identities, Jamie Issuh reflects on the search for belonging across communities. Through connection and openness, she continues to embrace her full self.

For Lori Song, self-acceptance came later in life after years of internal conflict around gender identity. Her journey is a powerful reminder to live authentically, no matter when that moment arrives.

From post-war Korea to building a life in the United States, Lana Yu’s journey is shaped by resilience and family. Her story centers on acceptance and the importance of support.

A life defined by constant change, Kyung Wan Kim reflects on hardship, migration, and reinvention. Her perspective is grounded in resilience and learning to move with life’s flow.

After navigating cultural expectations and starting over later in life, Stephanie Jang built a path rooted in independence and service. Today, she uplifts her community through education and leadership.

In this Letters to My Hometown reflection, Hyung Chang Kim recounts his father’s life—marked by resistance, survival, and an enduring longing for Hwanghae Province. Through inherited memory and grief, his letter reflects how the sorrow of division can pass across generations, shaping both identity and hope.

From early experiences of injustice to decades of activism and journalism, Kapsong Kim has dedicated his life to community advocacy. His work reflects an unwavering commitment to serving others.

A lifelong performer, Mee Jung built her career in dance before facing profound personal loss. Through it all, she continues to move forward with resilience and hope.

Balancing practicality with personal ambition, Kevin Lim built a career grounded in stability while staying connected to his community. Today, he remains actively involved in local leadership.

Blending art and journalism, Soo Chung uses creative expression to explore social issues. Her work reflects a commitment to both storytelling and community engagement.

Once aspiring to be an actor, Youngmin Jung ultimately found his calling in faith and ministry. He now emphasizes a more personal, introspective approach to spirituality.

Born in Pyeonggang County, Kangwon Province, Jung Sook Han recalls a childhood shaped by farming life in the highlands of the Taebaek Mountains and the quiet closeness of family. When war and division erased her home and separated her from her sister, her memories became a place of return—and a hope that future generations might one day reunite.

From her family’s business roots in Korea to running a beloved restaurant in Los Angeles, Young Hee Shon’s story is one of perseverance and care. Her success is built on community trust and word of mouth.

Straddling Korean and American identities, Janet Burt reflects on life as a 1.5-generation immigrant. Her work focuses on strengthening connections within the Korean American community.

Having lived through war and migration, Nancy Cho built a life grounded in family and resilience. In Los Angeles, she found a sense of home within the Korean community.