Show Notes
What does it feel like to return to the country where you were born after 50 years? I'm back in South Korea for the first time since leaving as a child, and the experience has brought up memories, emotions, and parts of my identity I haven't connected with in decades.
From exploring Seoul and Busan to rediscovering the food and culture I once felt embarrassed about growing up, I reflect on what it means to reconnect with your roots, see your childhood through a different lens, and experience a place that's both familiar and completely new.
I talk about:
Returning to South Korea for the first time in 50 years
My first impressions of Seoul and Busan
Rediscovering Korean food, language, and culture
Growing up Korean American and feeling pressure to fit in
How the things I once felt ashamed of became sources of pride
Revisiting childhood memories and reconnecting with my identity
The unexpected emotions that come with returning to your birthplace
Why travel can be an important part of personal growth
Learning to stop postponing meaningful experiences
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