Today was my big day to impress the crew at KBS!  I really didn’t think much about my script or what i was going to say in response to their questions regarding my adoption…. i figured my heart would do all the work and it’d roll off my tongue…and that it did.

Meandering towards the studios we stopped the local authorities for a photo op!

I just liked how the fish and Amanda’s shirt worked so well together… thanks so much for holding my hand on this one Amanda, it was great to have some support on the other side of the camera today!!

First thing is first, paperwork!  When we arrived at the KBS studios we met with my volunteer translator Se Il.  Once the writers of the tv show arrived we waited a few more minutes and another adoptee named Daniel showed up as well… it was a group interview, sick!  So Daniel the Norwegian, Korean Adoptee and i filled out our release forms and after one of the writers explained how the afternoon was going to go down, we immediately headed out side for a 20sec video clip that would be used if our stories were accepted for the show.

I got my clip down in 1 take, and stood by as Daniel worked on his 20secs of fame.  This is basically what it was:

Hello, my name is Yoon, Yung Eun.  I am in Korea searching for my birth mother.  I was born on October 24, 1982 in Seoul South korea.  2 days after i was born my mother relinquished all parental rights and put me into care of the City Counseling Office and to Star of the Sea Children’s Home where i’d eventually be adotped to the USA through Holt Adoption Agency.

After the quick takes on camera we sat down again and the main writers for the show interviewed us in detail about our birth family search.  Much of it was basically review of what we kind of both already knew but they also had us provide additional details discovered since landing in Korea.  It was also an opportunity to share a little bit about my upbringing, motivations for the search, and other personal characteristics that might make my presence on the show compelling to their audience (all of korea basically).  There were 2 Korean writers, a English writer and a Producer from KBS all on the other side of the table… very genuine and interested despite im sure having seen i don’t know how many of us Korean Adoptees sitting on the other side of the table with the same ol’ story…. at least thats what i was thinking!

The main interviewer spoke very little English and spoke to my translator in Korean most of the time but i could tell based on her gestures and and infliction in her voice that she was drawn to my story, it was cool to see human connection supercede language barriers!  She dug and dug, asking about feelings and all the mushy stuff, but whats more they were almost more interested in ME… they even kept asking about my tattoos… why tattoos? what do they mean? Then after telling them about the one on my back of my biological Korean name, almost in a frenzy they hopped on the phone and next thing i know we were outside with the filmer again and he was filming the two on my arms and up came my shirt and they shot the one on my back.

They had told me that i would be on the show… i didn’t really hear it at the time, but after the interview and parting ways with the KBS crew my translator reiterated that someone would contact me with details and instructions.

Thanks to everyone who has helped to get me here.  I know i haven’t found my mom (yet), but like i’ve said already, ive found so much more in just being here, learning about Korean culture, building relationships with my people, and through this journey in general… i can’t say thank you enough to everyone who i’ve met along the way….especially you Kyunghee Toni Ma from Holt and Sebastian from G.O.A.L., you guys helped kicked start all of this!

G.O.A.’L has been working together with KBS since 1998 and on a regular basis for the past seven (7) years.  Previously, many adoptees went on the program “Achim Madang (아침 마당)” to search for their families.  Since early 2007, “Achim Madang (아침 마당)” changed its program format, and thereafter, G.O.A.’L has been cooperating with KBS “I Miss that Person” (그 사람이 보고싶다) to provide adoptees with family search assistance.

Next stop, live show on Wednesday October 14, 2009 @ 11am (Korean time).  Ill see if i can get a copy of it or streaming video that i can post! It will be very similar to this one.

Share on Facebook

Im going to be leaving Seoul and venturing outward starting tomorrow (my friday, your thursday). I haven’t quite figured out if i am going to be traveling via Submarine or Hoverboat yet, but im sure there will be plenty of photos to come!

I am going to be visiting a buddhist temple for the weekend, and then traveling to Busan to hang out for the week, check out some beaches, do some couch surfing maybe meet some new people and enjoy the Chuseok holiday.

After that ill be heading even deeper South to Jeju-do to explore the volcanic remains and work on Mulme Organic Farm to help with with the tangerines!!!

Im not sure what internet connections will be like in any of these locations so you may not be hearing from me in awhile.  Ill be working out my phalanges and journaling the oldschool way though.

Until then…

Share on Facebook

Its crazy to finally be in Korea! All of the anticipation and preparation have finally come to a head and im almost not sure what to do with myself now!! You know that saying about being “a kid in a candy store”, its totally like that, i want to do everything!!

So today (Monday) is technically my first day here in Seoul and have been running around with Amanda, who is so graciously letting me stay at her place.   We got me setup with a pre-paid phone on the US Military base (Yongsan) and we did some banking, checked out the electronics district where i got a charger for my phone (they dont come with the phone, wierd), and got some food with her husband Justin on base where he is contracting with the military. The base is like an enclosed community, “Little America” as some call it, complete with Popeye’s Chicken, Starbucks, Subway, hotels, an American school, US banks, and all the other typical base stuff, but its crazy, its like being at home.  Not what i came here for, but handy for getting some stuff taken care of.  Its been a good chill day for adjusting to the time difference and local scene.  Tomorrow will be my first day being an Asian Tourist!

I haven’t been great at photos yet but here are a couple from the last 24hrs:

I think i actually did well with the packing… only loaded once, didn’t even have to pull stuff out and repack and do the 3 rounds of packing thing like usual.

My flight was actually leaving from Vancouver BC.  The ticket was significantly cheaper.  I took the QuickShuttle from Seattle to Vancouver.  It was super handy and convenient, HOWEVER if you ever do decide to do this id suggest the DOWNTOWN pickup versus the Airport pickup.  I had missed the 630am airport pickup and had to haul balls to the Downtown pickup…thank god we made it, i know mom and dad weren’t super stoked on a lil’ Saturday drive to BC for the day.

My new Korean friend Sun-Mi!! I was super excited about sitting by a native on the flight, and she was SO helpful when we landed and made sure i got thru customs and on the right bus, she even waited for the bus and told the driver to let me know what stop to get off on… hopefully i can connect with her later in Seoul.  I told her all about my trip and she was really interested in helping me to find my birth mom and i even showed her my adoption papers, so she told me to call her when i get settled.

A Korean meat restaurant.  We barbequed pork and squid, garlic and veggies for dinner… i think this is authentic?! All i know is that it was super tasty.

My room at Amanda’s place… rad bed huh?  You can’t tell but the best part is that under the blankets there is a granite slab!! I guess that combined with the heat (it plugs in) is super good for your circulation… so not only will i return from Korea enlightened and more grounded and content but ill also return with incredible circulation…awesome!

Amanda’s pups!! Thats Nala, the fox like dog and the other one is Adrian! He’s not in the picture but Adrian’s brother is Rocky!!! get it?

All the city workers, Police and military have such colorful, flashy garb.

Hot Dog Cups… i think this would do well in Seattle.

If i end go missing, you should probably search this place first… the Yongsan Electronics Market in Seoul.

Hmmm, what else?  I guess that does it for my first day.  Im just resting now and trying to make arrangements for later in the week but will probably make it out later for some Korean BBQ and maybe some icecream!

Share on Facebook