Trip to Cheonan South Korea. A Family Reunited

in #life7 years ago (edited)

I forgot to mention to you.....I am adopted. I was born in South Korea, and was adopted by an American family when I was 10 months old.IMG_1161.JPG
I was born with the name Hae Joong. This was a picture of me when I was still in Korea as an infant. I do not regret being adopted. I love my American parents, and the life and opportunities that they have given me.
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My parents actually encouraged me to look up my family in Korea when I turned 18. I did just that, with the help of a family my parents have kept in contact with all these years. This family still had contact information for my biological father in Korea. Long story short, a phone call was made with the help of a translator, a Korean family friend, and at the age of 18, I heard for the first time, my Korean father's voice crying out. After a short period of time(within hours), I began receiving phone calls from all of my siblings. I was the youngest of six children, 4 brothers and 1 sister. I don't know all of the details as to why I was adopted, but I do know that it was a tragic situation, and my mother died two months after my birth.
I have made 3 trips to Cheonan, South Korea where most of my siblings and father live, and I want to share with you some of the photos I took on my most recent trip.
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This is my father Sung Byung and sister Son Won with me at my eldest brother's home.
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My eldest brother Sung Joong is vice principal at a middle school in Cheonan.
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My second brother Won Joong, who is teaching me about Korean BBQ. He is a well known newspaper reporter in Cheonan.
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Left to right is In Joong my 3rd brother and is a bus driver, and Hak Joong my 4th brother who sells insurance.
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Beondegi, a street food that you eat from a cup with a tooth pick. It is silkworm pupae.
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Tasty! Well not sure about that, but hey, I'm willing to try just about anything ONCE.
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Ah, Korean BBQ and a little soju with my nephew, my 2nd brother and his doctor friend.
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My Nephew Min and I in Seoul visiting Deoksugung Palace, a group of several palaces that date back to the Joseon Monarchy.
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Seoul Tower
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While at Seoul Tower, my nephew Min bought one of these and wrote a message on it for me, and we placed it among thousands of others along the railing that wraps around the tower.
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There are so many other pictures I would like to share, but I've kept you long enough.
It is a rare opportunity to have two families on two continents. I am blessed to have them both. Thank you for allowing me to share. Billy

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Have a nice day. Great post. Thank you.

Thank you.

Wow a very heartfelt blog, and the coolest pictures!

what a beautiful story although tragic . I am glad you decided to get reunited with your parents. lovely pictures. :)

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