THIS THING OF OURS-ADOPTION

THE KOREAN WAR BABY

My name is Don Gordon BELL and I am one of the earliest of the first generation of KAD's (Korean ADoptees). The Korean War had been settled by Armistice three years before I left war-torn Seoul, Korea, on May 21, 1956. It was the first plane of twelve 'war babies' processed thru the Harry Holt Adoption Program. Read more of MY STORY on My Pages.
I grew up in a typical middle-class family of English-Scottish roots in greater Los Angeles, Ca, USA. Memories faded, Korean language was 'lost' and I did not know anything about the country of my birth until I met Korean Marines in Vietnam while serving with the US Marines. It was my first exposure to real Korean people. I was not completely aware of how prejudiced most Koreans thought towards a Half-Breed like me. I learned what "Tuigi" meant, a Korean word for a "Child of a Foreign devil". Oh, wonderful.


All my life I always had to answer the question: "What ARE you?" and I simply would tell 'my story'. It was not a big deal for me, for my Adoptive Parents had taught me that being an American meant that WE were from many countries. I never 'wished to be White' and just learned to stand up for my own identity. MY Identity was as an American, with mixed heritage. I did not know what being "Korean" meant but often wondered about my roots, and what my birth father's ethnicity. Mexican, Native Americans, and Spanish people would tell me that I had their 'genes' for sure. Little did I know they were right!

After college, I traveled to Manila and for ten years I lived in the Philippines. I was excepted as a 'mestizo' and fit into the former Spanish colony. I was a B-movie Character Actor,
working on international and local films, enjoying a 'crazy and wild' abandonment. Then a life changing experience gave me faith in a personal Higher Being. After walking away from the film business, I lived back in the USA, not sure of my direction in life finding work in construction, finish carpentry, door hanging, and many other jobs I'd like to forget.

In 1991, at 38, I attended a Holt Heritage Camp that was a great experience and really began my own journey of Adoption Identity search. I had never thought much of my Korean culture, though I always felt proud of being "HALF-Korean" and "half-Something".

In 1994 I came back to Seoul, Korea, with my church Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and was invited to stay with a church in East Seoul, for one year. I have lived here since late 1995- re-discovering my "Korean-ness", teaching English and telling my Adoption Story to thousands of Korean students of all ages, helping their understanding of Korean Adoptees. It is one of the issues that Korea is now facing, even for its own secretly adopted children, those who were adopted IN-Country by Koreans who desired a family but due to problems with Infertility secretly adopt.

I was a charter member in 1997 (first dozen members) of GOA'L (Global Overseas Adoptees' Link, founded by Ami Nafzger) and continue to be involved with the complex issues of This Thing of Ours-Adoption. Thousands of KADs have visited Korea over the years, searching for their culture and Some search for birth family. Seventy-five thousand have come, yet only 2,400 plus have found Reunion with Birth family, often with varying results. There are many complexities, many don't want to search concerned about offending their Adoptive Families. Each KAD must decide what they want to do, when to do it, etc.


At 67, I am still 'working thru' my Adoption Identity. Each of YOU need to 'work through' your own understanding and hopefully find forgiveness and healing. Read many different accounts and compare before coming to conclusions. I hope that you will learn what IS happening NOW, in the land of your birth, the Rep. of Korea (South Korea). (See Report Links).

Times are changing, the reasons for 'relinquishment/given up for adoption' have shifted, but there continues to be a need for a multi-tiered approach and understanding of Adoption issues. Slowly, attitudes of Korean society ARE changing for the better. But, the majority continue to feel embarrassment and shame. Thus, Adoption is still shrouded in secrecy even for those who are adopted In-country . There ARE positive signs and movements of NGO's and KAD groups are advocating for the Unwed Mothers. However, two-thirds of pregnant women each year, continue to give up their babies for adoption. One out of four are sent overseas, YET three are secretly adopted in-country. The Myth that "Koreans don't adopt" is false, but they need to open up and hopefully change their shame to pride.


This blog is for EVERYONE, whether you are an Adoptee, Adoptive Family, Birth Family or involved in Adoption in ANY way as a professional, social worker, official, etc, from Korea or the world. We examine the complex issues and personal journeys that we, domestic and overseas adoptees, have to face and sort out in This Thing of Ours-Adoption. (Use the Search function to check for Posts on various topics, TransRacial, Tran-Cultural, Multi-Cultural families, Domestic, Civil Code Law Adoptions, InterCountry Adoption, etc.)

I personally have come to a compromised, nuanced position on this thing of ours-adoption. I advocate a Multi-tiered Plan that tries to be balanced, realistic, fair to all.

UPDATE: Living in the Philippines since 2010, at first teaching students from several countries as an Online Tutor, based in Makati, Metro Manila. I was working on a Digital Library for Online Tutoring or ELearning; developing an agritourism farm; and Overseas Retirement Care for foreigners needing 24/7 health care.

Then some 18 months ago, in July of 2012 I met with Andrew Leavold, a crazy film obsessed Aussie who helped "pull me back into film making".

WHEW! Lot on my plate. I have also been learning much about the Filipino society's very different viewpoints on unwed motherhood and adoption.

As of Sept. 2012, I worked on an Indie Film, "Baybayin, the Palawan Script", directed by Auraeus Solito, and international award winning Filipino director. I had a role in the film and explored my hobby as a STILLS Photographer. Currently I have quit all teaching, co-writing on an international film that will be done in 3D and CGI effects. I am back in the film-making business and I love it. I have continued to act in Independent and international films and in many projects worked as Stills/Bts Photographer. I cover film festivals, events, and continue to try to improve my Game. Semi-retired but love to keep active, now exploring mirrorless 4K cameras but still a Canon Guy.


Adoption Discourse needs to hear YOUR VOICES. Every opinion, even opposing viewpoints will be posted and interaction invited by email and Comments have been activated again with spam filters!)
. Welcome, come learn, and share your thoughts. Join social media sites and you will help yourself and others as you share your life.

#20 Holt Adoptee/First Dozen on Flight departing Seoul on 21 May, 1956 to USA.


April 28, 2011

Birthmothers' Day - Birth Mother's Day - Mother's Day

 The Korean War Baby considers Mother’s Day, and came across this article from one of his resource websites, About.com. Birthmother’s Day…did not even know it had been established, anyone else know? What better way for those of us, not just adoptees, but all those members of the extended people involved in This Thing of Ours-Adoption to think and honor, reflect and consider, the woman who conceived and carried us to birth.

As the KWB has gone through much personal reflection over the past 15 years of living in the land of his Korean Birthmother (some prefer Natural or First Mom, whatever you feel comfortable with, eh). Especially in the past three years of intense research HE has had to face deep feelings and emotions within, locked inside by repressed memories, but coming up to surprise and shock…ugly thoughts and resentments, quite different from the ‘fairy tale’ pictures of his birthmother. What we are talking about is that little boy of five, who was left by his mother, not understanding, filled with terror and loss, traveling to another land, another family.

The age at the time of adoption is a major issue, one that does not deal with the “rightness or wrongness” of adoption/transcultural adoption but rather with the issues of acceptance and integration into their new forever home. It is not always a simple matter, attested to by adoptees now adults and their Adoptive Family. You hear the terms Attachment Disorder, but in simple terms it is the ability of the Adoptee to BOND to the new family. Many adult adoptees find that even the thought of Searching for Bio-Parents may be an insult or threaten their Adoptive Family. It must be approached with research and lots of wisdom, reading what others have experienced, even before proceeding. Some adoptees have suddenly found ‘letters from their birthfamily’ waiting for them. A few who have appeared on television also find themselves on a Fast Track, but only 2,500 have found reunion, with varying results.

With all these things to consider about Our Birth Mothers (and to a much lesser extent, Birth fathers, other birth family members) we must be open-minded, patient, communicate with all involved in our Adoptive Family, seek counsel from professionals, books, other adoptees with not just one-side but the spectrum of viewpoints. It is a MINEFIELD but YOU can make it through with a little help from your friends.

LET US REMEMBER OUR BIRTH/NATURAL/FIRST MOTHERS along with our ADOPTIVE MOTHERS in the way you are comfortable with, not with glossy pictures of emotionless fairy-tale but in a serious and practical acknowledgement of HER probable sense of loss, shame, guilt, wondering about YOU. Of course not all feel this way, and one wonders why with so much media in Korea about KAD’s coming and looking, why aren’t the mothers coming forward? Korean society is not so open as the west, to jeopardize their present family with the news, “I have a secret to tell you…” this is a extremely difficult thing to do. We must consider these things, and like the KWB gave out on his public Tvn program his message was “I don’t feel bad about you, want you to know I had a good family and life…want you to know I love you…if you want to please contact me”. It was good for his soul to do that, for his own birth mother and others out there in Korean society, secretly watching the shows and wondering about her own secret child given up for what she may have hoped would be a better life. Yes, there were some cases where the family of the mother even forced her or took her child and sent them away. In most cases though mothers carried us to term, not able to abort, some tried to take care of us, but society and lack of government, pushed her into a corner. The KWB believes that most Korean mothers chose to give us a better chance at life. For that, He honors BOTH his Mothers, the one who gave him life, and the one who raised him in life.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO BOTH OF THEM!!!!

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Birthmothers' Day - Birth Mother's Day - Mother's Day

About.com

Adoption / Foster Care

Birthmother's Day Created Out of Love or Just More Adoption Propaganda?

From Rebecca Hernon

The Saturday before Mother's Day is not a holiday marked on calendars, nor is it one in which Hallmark makes a card. It is not a holiday recognized by general society. It is Birthmother's Day.

A little background information for you. Birthmother’s day was actually created by birthmothers; a group of Seattle area birthmothers, in an effort not only to educate, but more importantly, to honor and remember. This group of birthmothers decided to create Birthmother's Day. The first gathering was on the Saturday before Mother's Day 1990.

I had never heard of Birthmother’s Day until the year after I placed my daughter. I was invited by the adoption agency to a gathering at a park. We had lunch; we shared our stories, poems… our tears. We lit candles and said a prayer.

I know that that first year was very hard for me. The need to be acknowledge and reassured that I had made the right choice was a very big part of my life. I believe celebrating that first Birthmother’s Day was helpful for me in being acknowledged and sharing my pain and tears with others who could understand me best.

Since that time, I have not acknowledged or been acknowledged on Birthmother’s Day. I had not given Birthmother’s Day another thought until this year, when asked for help in preparing an article for it.

There has been debate on the celebrating of Birthmother’s Day. It goes along with the debate over using the term “birthmother” for a woman who has placed a baby for adoption. What is really behind celebrating the day separate from Mother’s Day?

In all families, every member is identified by a term, such as mother, father, sister, brother. Today, we all know more then one family with step parents, half siblings, etc. Adoption blends two families forever and like it or not there needs to be some way to determine who is who.

Let’s think a little about adoption in itself. Those of us involved in the adoption community; whether we are a birthparent, adoptive parent or adoptee, we all have our opinions and feelings on how we like or do not like to be acknowledged as one of the above titles. For some of us, adoption plays a big part of who we are, what we were and what we will become. For others, it is like comparing it to the color of our hair or our shoe size, it is a very small part of our personalities.

Let me tell you a little about myself and my feelings now, eight years into an open adoption. I think about my daughter at least every other day. A big, secret part of me will always wish to be known as more then just her birthmother. If we look at the real meaning of the word “birthmother”, I do not want to be known as only the woman who gave her life, I feel like I am so much more to her; I want to be so much more to her.

That is the fine line in adoption that is drawn between birthmothers and adoptive mothers. As a mother in general, how many of us would like to have to share our children with “another” mother? Or is deciding to take on such a feat inherent in one deciding to place a child and one deciding to create their family through adoption?

Here we are back to the original subject; Birthmother’s Day and should or shouldn’t it be celebrated? And why or why not?

My opinion is any birthmother, first mother, natural mother, WHATEVER you decide you want to be known as has the right to do what makes her feel right about her choice or lack there of. For some, Birthmother’s Day can be a day to celebrate giving birth and making a choice to place and making it about the need to be acknowledged for that choice.

Some can use the day as one to educate others about adoption and what it means to them. The grief, the loss, the pain of losing the chance to mother ones child and how it affects the rest of one’s life, for the better, if there is such a thing, and the worse, which we all know there is some really strong “worse” feelings involved.

I think Birthmother’s Day should be more about women who have placed acknowledging each other and supporting one another, no matter whether it was a real choice or something that was forced upon us. We should stand together as mothers who have lost a child that cannot be replaced. We should say “Here we are, this is our pain, our sorrow and it is real.” And we should hold each other and know we are not alone.

If you feel like Birthmother’s Day was created as part of the adoption propaganda that takes place, MAKE A CHANGE this year. Make it about Birthmothers, it is Birthmother’s Day.

Rebecca J. Hernon
Birthmother To Natalie, 8 yrs. Old
Mama to Quinn, 9 yrs. Old and Ellie, 5 yrs. Old.
Do not copy without permission.

Ideas to Celebrate Mother's Day1

This About.com page has been optimized for print. To view this page in its original form, please visit: http://adoption.about.com/od/birthfirstmothers/a/birthmomdayprop.htm

©2011 About.com, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.


Links in this article:
  1. http://adoption.about.com/od/celebrationinspiration/a/honormothers.htm

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April 18, 2011

YouTube - My Adoption Story Vol.I - Not for the weak hearted

 

Gripping tale of an American Domestic Adoptee who suffered from a sibling’s abuse at the age of five. “Not for the weak hearted” is just one of her videos that tells her painful story and the effects of her abuse on her own life. Though sexual abuse happens in homes between biological siblings this case is exacerbated by the fact that she was adopted. When she finally related the event, she was accused of lying and making up the accusation. Rejected, she was sent away from the family. Could more preparation have been done in this case, considering an much older male sibling? Should the parents been more vigilant and given support by the Adoption agency?

Keep an open mind as you hear her story, not jumping to conclusions For or Against Adoption in itself, but to seek answers to trying to finding a better ways to screen and prepare Prospective Adoptive Parents. With “Blended Families” the dynamics of a family must overcome the dramas of sibling relationships on multiple levels. Parents who are not prepared for being parents are in reality impossible to “screen” and the number of cases of abuse in biological families are shocking as well.

This video was posted by my friend and a great inspiration for the KWB to blog, Jessenia,who has been blogging her heart out at Your Blood is My Blood. Jae has become a Voice for the Adoptee, “ I am an adoptee born in Manhattan, NY. I write to inspire and speak for the unspoken; I am the "The Voice of the Adoptees".From her womb to the streets, from the jail cell to the college classrooms, I have come to a point in my life where I have to stop running and face the meaning of my life. I am searching for answers. Join me on my journey as I search for my way back home. I speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God. Amen.

She speaks especially for those in Domestic adoptions in the United States but we of the Korean Adoptee and other International Adoptees, even Korean Diaspora living in many countries can RELATE to many of the similar issues. She looks at the hard issues of This Thing of Ours-Adoption from many angles. Check out her blog, for a Fresh Young outlook. She Rocks and still inspires the KWB.

April 13, 2011

International Forum - Holt International Adoption Agency

 

International Forum - Holt International Adoption Agency

forum-head

Registration
When: April 14-16, 2011
Where: Washington, D.C. Hyatt Regency Hotel 400 New Jersey Avenue

Please note that conference and hotel registration are separate

Click here for CONFERENCE registration

Joint Council Members, click here for CONFERENCE registration

Registration: $400 per person
(full registration includes materials, most meals & Gala dinner)

Saturday only: $100 per person
(includes Saturday sessions, lunch & breaks)

Gala dinner only: $100 per person

Click here for HOTEL registration
(reservations directly through hotel)

Preferred rate for Forum: $219 single or double

International Forum quicklinks.


Overview


Registration


Gala only registration


Schedule

Presenters


Sponsors


Main Page

April 8, 2011

Benevolent Society of Australia

The Korean War Baby has found this a great source of the way the Australian people and government have dealt with the complex issues of Adoption. Check them out, much to learn on their website.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact us via the

Benevolent Society website

In this issue our Post Adoption Resource Centre marks a milestone anniversary. Listen to a podcast of an interview on ABC's Life Matters as we reflect on 20 years of openness in adoption in NSW. You can also find out about a new program that puts kids first in substance abuse cases, learn how we're bringing neuroscience research into our early childhood work and find out why we're excited about new funding we've received for a Community Hub in South West Sydney.

Recent news highlights and latest events.

The Benevolent Society E-Bulletin

Family Referral Service connecting families with support in Newcastle

14/07/2010-Families in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Hunter regions can now access support through The Benevolent Society’s Newcastle Family Referral Service, by either calling the telephone service, or by dropping in to one of the face to face services in Newcastle, Muswellbrook and Watanobbi.

Join us at PARC's 20th Anniversary Garden Party

02/03/2011-We're inviting anyone with a link to our Post Adoption Resource Centre to join us at a Garden Party to celebrate 20 years of openness in adoption.

It's time to act for vulnerable children

03/03/2011-The Coalition for Children in Care today welcomed the Opposition's policy to commit to the handover the provision of foster care to non-government organisations in line with Justice Wood's recommendations. Justice Wood's 2008 Inquiry into Child Protection found there would be a higher level of care and support of foster children if they were supervised by accredited non-government agencies.

Centre for Women's Health marks 17 years of supporting local women

08/03/2011-The Benevolent Society’s Centre for Women’s Health at Campbelltown will mark 17 years of supporting local women and their families during this week’s 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

New program to put kids first in substance abuse cases

17/03/2011-Children who are at risk from a parent's drug abuse will be made a priority under a new program for local families launched by The Benevolent Society today. The program was launched at the official opening of The Benevolent Society’s new office on Macquarie Street, Liverpool.

Cutting-edge program uses neuroscience to shape young brains

18/03/2011-As part of International Brain Awareness Week, The Benevolent Society is launching a cutting-edge neuroscience trial program to develop up to 300 Australian children’s brains through focused play. The Benevolent Society's principal researcher Dr Margaret Brechman-Toussaint said the pilot makes the latest advances in neuroscience and international best practice available to families.

Greenacre community welcomes Government grant for new Community Hub

11/03/2011-Greenacre Neighbourhood Centre welcomes funding for a new Community Hub proposed by The Benevolent Society. $120,000 will come through the NSW Government's Community Building Partnership program, to establish a Community Hub in Greenacre.

Changes to Family Law Act a major step to keeping kids safe but should go further

24/03/2011

Child safety should be the primary consideration in Family Court rulings and the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Amendment Bill introduced by the Attorney General today is a major step towards keeping children safer said The Benevolent Society, Australia’s oldest charity, today.

Application forms for Sir Phillip Baxter Child Care Centre now online

25/03/2011-You can now view and download application forms online for Sir Phillip Baxter Child Care Centre, Woollahra.

Macleay Valley Communities for Children Plus

25/03/2011-The Macleay Valley Communities for Children Plus is building partnerships with local organisations to deliver projects and initiatives to improve the lives of children and families.

New centre to provide more support to Killarney Vale children and families

29/03/2011-The Benevolent Society and Killarney Vale Primary School have officially opened Killarney Village Central, a new community centre for local children aged 0-8 years and their families in the grounds of Killarney Vale Public School.

The Benevolent Society welcomes incoming NSW cabinet

04/04/2011-Australia’s oldest charity, The Benevolent Society, welcomed the new NSW cabinet, but expressed concern that action to improve community services is not included in the O’Farrell Government’s 100 Day Plan released today.

Helping to build closer ties between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups

30/03/2011-The Benevolent Society is supporting Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation (KAC) to bridge gaps between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups.

20-year anniversary of openness in adoption in NSW

01/04/2011-NSW’s longest-running adoption support service this week marks 20 years of operation, helping thousands of people find out how to make contact with lost birth relatives. The centre opened on 2 April 1991, the day after the NSW Adoption Information Act (1990) was enacted.

Podcast: ABC Life Matters 20 years of open adoption

05/04/2011-In this podcast Richard Aedy speaks with Janet Henegan (PARC's co-ordinator), and adoptive mother Anne James and Mireille who is the birth mother of Steven, the child that Anne adopted in 1970.

All NSW residents will benefit from early-intervention preschools

05/04/2011-The Benevolent Society today welcomed Professor Tony Vinson’s calls for the NSW Government to develop early-intervention preschools for vulnerable and disadvantaged children. General Manager of Social Policy and Research at The Benevolent Society Annette Michaux said all NSW residents will benefit from ensuring children in disadvantaged areas get a good start to life.

FaceBook allows Korean Hangul Name Posting for KADs

This showed up on my FaceBook page today. If you are interested in posting your Korean Name beside your Adoptive name this might help Birth Family search for you on their Korean FB. Steve Inman’s sister found him by searching on FaceBook. See THIS: Korean-American Family use Facebook for Reunion

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Do you have a Korean name?

You can now show your Korean name on your profile to people using Facebook in Korean, while still displaying Don Gordon Bell to everyone else.

Many of your friends also have Korean names:

Mee Hyun Gerstein김미현      Emily Ahn Levy안은옥    Jackie Joe Holm홈빛나

Rebecca Gleixner 박수정      Thomas Kyun Ha Kim김균하    Dongmi Kim Ragin김동미

Myunghee Park박명희

Add Name

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If this doesn’t work, go to my Facebook page (Find it on Left Column)

Adoption Families Top Ten Articles of the Month

 For all involved in This Thing of Ours-Adoption here is just one of many resources to help understand ourselves, and to learn how to ‘do it better’. Seek out more on your own, to help your Adoption Identity and relationship with Birth Family and your Adoptive Family.

AdoptionFamilies-Top Ten Articles of the Month

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Top 10 of the Month

SUBSCRIBE | ADOPTION GUIDE | AGENCY SEARCH | ATTORNEY SEARCH | COMMUNITY | EVENTS

10 Most Popular Articles of March

Toddler Adoption - Adoption Process - Adoptive Families Magazine

Join the Conversation:
Share your comments about any of these articles, and read feedback from others in the AF community, by using the comment box at the bottom of each article -- or by joining a discussion at AdoptiveFamiliesCircle.


1. Small Wonders
BY ROCHELLE GREEN
Straddling the line between infancy and autonomy, toddlers experience adoption in unique ways. Here's what you need to know to face the challenge.

» Get instant support in our discussion groups, whether you're just starting out or waiting to adopt: adoptivefamiliescircle.com/groups

2. The First Dad
BY HEATHER OSWALT
"It has been hard to watch Kenneth struggle as a birthdad in an open adoption. I wish my husband and I could make it easier for him, and for our son."

3. Trip of a Lifetime
BY REBECCA KLEIN
Tips for (and from!) domestic adoptive parents on preparing for the emotional journey to meet your child.

Plus: More Travel-Savvy Tips from Readers

4. What We Wish We Had Known
BY JUDY AND SARA MYERSON
A mom and her daughter share lessons learned about older child adoption.

5. Adoption Blogs We Love!
We scoured the blogosphere for the most funny, heartwarming, honest online reads. Our congratulations to these 20 outstanding picks.

» Catch up with AF's bloggers in AdoptiveFamiliesCircle.

6. Solutions for Picky Eaters
BY DEBORAH BORCHERS, M.D.
Whether your child arrives home as a young infant or has spent years waiting for a family, you should expect food to present some challenges.

7. Talking About Race and Racism
BY JOEMY ITO-GATES AND WEI MING DARIOTIS, PH.D.
Racism exists, and it's our job as parents to talk about it with our kids. Here's an age-by-age guide to handling those conversations.
Plus: Transracial Adoption Resources

8. Going Camping
Ways to explore your child's roots and emerging identity during the summer months.

9. Family Resemblance
BY DANA WHITE
For a mom who was adopted as an infant, the realization that her children look like her takes on special meaning.
Plus:  More Adoptee Perspectives

10. Ten Talking Tips
BY CARRIE KRUEGER
A countdown of the author's best strategies for talking with kids about adoption, getting them to talk to you, and preparing them to talk with peers. 

Find Adoption Professionals

Most Popular Pages in AF's online Adoption Guide for pre-
adoptive families:


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April 3, 2011

Amy Mihyang

 

"Dear....mother." How do you write a letter to the woman who gave you away 20 years ago? Combining adapted work by Asian and adoptee writers and Amy Mihyang's original writing, "between" encapsulates her experiences as a Korean American woman, a New Yorker, and most of all, a transracial adoptee. Bringing the audience with her on the plane en route from NYC to Korea, the author contrasts her journey with the echoes of other adoptees and those touched by the act of adoption. Mihyang makes us ask ourselves, “Do we need to know where we came from in order to know where we're going?”

between-fb-map-1

 

(additional text credit: "Kira" adapted from “China Doll” by Alaina Wong. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Additional adapted text from Yun Jin Carson)

Directed by Song Kim (감독: 김 송)
“...어머니에게...” 20년 후, 입양의 운명을 가진 아이는 어머니에게 편지를 씁니다. 그런데 무슨 말을 하지요? 1인극 ‘비트윈’에서는 에이미 미향씨의 사실적인 경험을 바탕으로 이야기를 전개합니다. 그는 뉴욕에서 한국인, 여자 그리고 무엇 보다 입양아로서의 정체성을 찾기 위해 끊임없는 도전을 펼쳐왔습니다. 지난 세월 동안 겪은 개인의 문제와 입양의 문제를 진지하게 생각하며, 고찰하는 내용으로 관객에게 다가갑니다. 그리고 마지막에 의미심장한 질문을 던지죠. “과연 우리가 어디서 왔는지 알아야만 앞으로 나아갈 수 있는 건가요?”

Fridays at 8pm 금요일 오후 8시
Saturdays at 4pm and 8pm 오후 4시, 오후 8시 토요일
Sundays at 4pm and 6pm 오후 4시, 오후 6시 일요일

Tickets: 15,000 KRW. All proceeds will go to KUMFA
Booking(예매):
ticketing@seoulplayers.com
More info(자세한 사항): www.seoulplayers.com

There will be talk-back sessions with the audience following the 4pm Saturday performances.
토요일 오후 4시 공연 이후에는 ‘관객-배우와의 만남’ 시간을 가집니다.
All proceeds will go to the Korean Unwed Mothers & Families Association (KUMFA), the only Korean group and network solely created and run by unwed mothers. It provides financial assistance, guidance, and resources for unwed mothers and their families.
http://cafe.naver.com/missmammamia
모든 수익은 한국미혼모가족협회인 ‘KUMFA’ 에게 돌아갑니다. 한국 최초의 온라인 공동체에서는 미혼모로써 겪는 어려움을 함께 고민하고 해결하려고 노력하고 있습니다.
~~~~~~
here's the link to the fb event:
FaceBook Page Link

“Hope to see you at the show!”
Amy

Adoptive Families Website

The KWB endorses seeking information from many sources on This Thing of Ours-Adoption. Every person touched by this complex issue can find many sites, books, web blogs, etc, offering a spectrum of viewpoints from Adoption Professionals to just plain folks who are part of the plethora of personal stories. There is No Perfect Solutions, but perhaps we can all try to do it better (shamelessly borrowed from “Adoption” the movie).

Here is a site that delves into many issues that Adoptive Families NEED to know. Let’s keep an open mind, hear each other out, respect others’ views and experiences. In the past, I have been harsh and critical of those who are on extreme sides. The KWB wants to be nicer and hopes that we all can get along.

Korean War Baby

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