Raised in America as a Korean Adoptee | The Challenges & Struggles | ep.4

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
  • Meet Mark, a Korean born man who was adopted by an American family. He shares his story, experiences, and struggles of the past and present as a result of being an adoptee.
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ความคิดเห็น • 98

  • @skycedi
    @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว +61

    A BIG Thank you to Mark for sharing his story with us! If you guys are enjoying these stories, let me know what you think below.

    • @smyercomics
      @smyercomics 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm also a Korean adoptee (b. 1986). I identified with Mark's experiences being pretty "home-grown American" i.e. I played softball and also helped my dad on a farm in a small, mostly white rural town. Thank you for sharing this. Mark's really great at telling his story.

    • @JESUSISLORDforevermore888
      @JESUSISLORDforevermore888 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Do one ( video ) where black kids are adopted by other races and growing up in those cultures.

  • @clevertechbot
    @clevertechbot 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    As an adoptee it is empowering to hear Mark tell his story and that he still doesn't fit in. It is very powerful to make a narrative for adoptees that it's perfectly fine not to fit in.

  • @TheKamakuraGardener
    @TheKamakuraGardener 4 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    I remember flying from Tokyo to Seoul back in the mid 80s and seeing scores of Korean babies back in economy class! This young man may have been one of them. I’m also from a small town in Pennsylvania, though it was a mostly black enclave. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Wow, you were able to witness a lot of what Mark was talking about. Thank you for watching as always.

    • @TheKamakuraGardener
      @TheKamakuraGardener 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      skycedi: I love what you do! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

  • @TainyAoC
    @TainyAoC 4 ปีที่แล้ว +38

    Mark is a really good speaker. I enjoyed hearing this experience. Keep being you Mark!

  • @mcarthurspark8636
    @mcarthurspark8636 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Mark's look is unique with shaved head and beard. Very handsome!

  • @kang_glimpsesofgrace
    @kang_glimpsesofgrace 4 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I love this so much! This just popped up as suggested on my home page, and I'm so thankful it did! My husband was adopted from Korea in the 80s, and we are now going through our own adoption journey from Korea! We love to hear of other Korean adoptees and their experiences. Thank you for putting this together!

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Wow, glad this video popped up at the right time. So happy to hear that Mark’s story resonates with you and your husband. Best of luck with you guys in your adoption journey too!

    • @jordiedmond5744
      @jordiedmond5744 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow the world is really small I hope the best for you both

    • @thenobleone-3384
      @thenobleone-3384 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@skycedi I want connect with other Asian adoptees everybody's story is similar I was born in the United States that's the main difference

    • @CoolNumber1
      @CoolNumber1 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      For some reason, asian men raised by white mothers or white cultures tend to grow beard.

    • @timothyzakaria7397
      @timothyzakaria7397 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@skycedi I have a similar story to Mark but I was adopted illegally my parents got away with giving me to no good people. I hope u write me back Cedric I grew up in the South just like u did. Fayetteville is very different from Texas but it's still in the southern US.

  • @달달티비
    @달달티비 4 ปีที่แล้ว +50

    Mark is such a good storyteller. 😊

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      He really is :) thank you for watching~

    • @Scl45689
      @Scl45689 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Legit

  • @harrye9105
    @harrye9105 4 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    I wAS tOTAlly intO hIs Story... wow. I can't imagine how tough it was for him to blend in as an Asian guy. And I hope there would be Korean subtitles for Korean subscribers like me ㅠ-ㅠ ㅋㅋ. It was great work Thx I really APPRECIATED THIS ONE.
    + To Mark
    As a "100%" Korean, I cannot feel any privilege and rather have felt such pressures like "This country can go to war at anytime." or "I have to do my best to suit at least in those "average group", "I won't be able to buy my own home in Seoul for my entire life"
    And 입양아(adoptee) is not a taboo... it's just very sensitive issue and thesedays Korean society turns more and more in to respecting personal space. I think that's why your friends were not eager to talk about that issue so they might not harm your feelings. When I see Korean American I just feel like I want to call him 형 ㅋㅋㅋ. I wish your happiness and thx for featuring in this video.

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for the feedback Harry. And good to hear from you :) thanks for sharing your perspective as well. We can all learn from each other!

    • @jordiedmond5744
      @jordiedmond5744 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      True there are a lot of mixed race people who love and adapt really fast in Asian countries and they don’t speak the local language
      My advice is do as them and learn from them as well

  • @minitaekook
    @minitaekook 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Thank you for sharing this! As a Korean adoptee myself, I still struggle with identity issues and it’s hard for someone to truly understand those if they aren’t an adoptee themselves. This whole video was very well done and explained some of those issues very well. Although there are so many adoptees, it can definitely feel at times like you’re the only one going through these things. This video is really comforting in knowing I’m not alone.

  • @danicareed189
    @danicareed189 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    His story is so interesting. I love hearing about his experience and how he grew up in America and went back to Korea to teach.

  • @TV-jl8oe
    @TV-jl8oe 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    he can work as a voice actor in Korea.. ~ and a great story teller~

  • @pagehardy4767
    @pagehardy4767 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Mark I enjoyed listening to your story. You are an amazing young man. Thank you Cedi for sharing stories from the Seoul.

  • @ChoyJoy
    @ChoyJoy 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I know I’m late watching this but thank you so much for sharing stories of Korean adoptees. Korean adoptees and many news channels make videos about Korean adoptees. But it’s good to see Korean Americans like you and other Korean influencers to recognize adoptees.

  • @aijalat94
    @aijalat94 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Amazing story, my husband is a korean adoptee and he stated the same thing about being left in a basket and then taken to the police station.

    • @alguessantoine8548
      @alguessantoine8548 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Have he found his parents if not he should? Even if he agency cannot track his parents, he should do dna test like 23andme , or some korean dna test.

  • @TheHalfieProject
    @TheHalfieProject 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thanks for sharing your story, Mark!! Nice job Skycedi and also... Those suspenders are ON POINT 🔥

  • @Libra8410
    @Libra8410 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Great video. Thanks for sharing Mark!

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for watching

  • @LimingLyn
    @LimingLyn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    It good to hear their side of the adoption story. At first I thought he was going to say he was Amish/Quaker.
    Thanks for sharing your unique journey, it was wonderful to see how you continue to search for you. Searching for your true identity will take years and it's the same struggles any mixed race person has when trying to "fit in".
    So here's a Dr. Susses quote: Today you are You, that's Truer than True, there is no one alive that's Youer than You.
    Okay, so what happened when you presented your passport at Customs? Guess that would be another video...what was the reaction? AND has Korea try to get the males adoptees to serve their two years in the army?
    Great job Skycedi.

  • @elisathompson3380
    @elisathompson3380 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    WOW!!
    Thanks Mark for sharing your story. It amazes me that people are made to feel shame for something that they have no control, race, birth status etc.
    Sharing your story will no doubt help adoptees and non adoptees who hear your story have more empathy and acceptance of others.
    Excellent content as always Skycedi 👍💯

  • @emilyj8507
    @emilyj8507 4 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I just loved listening to his life story. Lovely video!

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you for watching!

  • @로리나쌤
    @로리나쌤 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    As a Korean, I feel like that we Korean people should accept and help you to live happily. You are a great man. God bless you!

  • @antoniaantonia3337
    @antoniaantonia3337 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Much thanks and Respect to Sir Mark for your story😊

  • @JYChoi-yd8oo
    @JYChoi-yd8oo 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    beautifully done. Good job Cedi and Mark! thanks for bringing this story to light;)

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thank you JY! I’ve been eager to help Mark share his story for some time. I’m glad he shared :)

  • @dwhite-green9133
    @dwhite-green9133 4 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Such a thoughtful interview. I am here in the USA. Your guest is a handsome Korean man. I am glad he is back in Korea learning about his homeland. I know Asians are not all perfect but you are a beautiful people in general.....who love your homeland and its traditions. I am glad GOD created Koreans. Hope to be able to come to Korea some day and learn the language before the end of my time.
    Wonderful interview. I wish you both well !!!

  • @peggyroyster3759
    @peggyroyster3759 4 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Very interesting life story, I enjoy listening to the speaker tell his story. In my own personal opinion no matter if you are adopted or in a different part of the world and surrounded by all ethnicity of people. It do not change physically who you are. What I mean by saying that is your DNA speak of who you are whether or not you are born or raise in Korea or not. It do not change your "True Self" and those that are born and raise in Korea that Do Not give them the qualifications to say that a korean born or raise outside of Korea is not Korean.Those who judge need to judge thy self.

    • @jordiedmond5744
      @jordiedmond5744 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yeah it is sad that it is in the most Asian countries

  • @ivyd5485
    @ivyd5485 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you Skycedi for such an interesting series! Mark has such a fascinating story. I am not sure why, but something inside me resonated with this series - maybe because I come from a trans-racial family, although I do consider myself African American. But one thing, my identity is that I belong to the human race and I am accepting of anyone who identifies as belonging to the human race.❤️

  • @putmein7611
    @putmein7611 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I think you and Mark are winners. God bless you guys. Merry Christmas too.

  • @aubreykyung
    @aubreykyung 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you for sharing your story Mark! I definitely feel you on never being 100% one or the other. I'm 36 and still trying to figure out who I am.

    • @margholtz
      @margholtz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You fit in everywhere. That is the upside of not fitting in one particular place

  • @mariajosekrause1192
    @mariajosekrause1192 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What an amazing video! Mark is a really good speaker.

  • @amyj2319
    @amyj2319 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am acutally writing a paper about Korean American adoption right now, so this was super interesting and helpful. He is a great speaker and it was interesting to hear about his story.

  • @marig6184
    @marig6184 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Mark you are unique and beautiful, I think you were meant to stand out ♥️

  • @dime7612
    @dime7612 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey baby! You fit in now!!! It is a new day, and the world knows it. I see you as a human with multiple lineage, and now you get to choose what you like.
    You’re ahead of the game!
    I can relate. I’m not adopted, but even being half Korean back in the 70 and 80 in Minnesota was always something to make me feel a bit different back then. I know that feeling of embarrassment, and now I also know how ridiculous it is.
    I now live in Los Angeles, and it doesn’t matter what your background is, everybody just trying to make money and have their passion in life too!🤓
    Thank you for sharing, and you are very handsome!

  • @JamConcerned
    @JamConcerned 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks to Mark for sharing his story. Every story is unique and different. Listening to his story I know he felt isolated growing up as the only Asian but I also hope he realizes how fortunate he was. There are so many who aren't adopted and grew up in orphanages, because of Korean's standards, didn't go to college, got the door slammed in their faces because of the stigma of adoption. Mark has a confidence that determines his identity and self worth, instead of listening to how Korean views him as an adoptee. He seems so confident in who he is and so positive. Wish him continued success.

  • @RenCurrymusicalseoul
    @RenCurrymusicalseoul 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for sharing Mark~ BTW, I'm a fan of your style. Reminds me of one of my favorite musicals 'Newsies'

  • @janiejl
    @janiejl 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome story, praying Mark finds his identity and comes to know that he is seen and valued regardless of society’s views and standards.

  • @minnienhle21
    @minnienhle21 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I enjoyed his story. He comes across as a really wise guy. I like his thought processing. I have friends who adopted children who are ethnically different from them and I love being part of their family to see them interact with their children. This has intrigued me, however, in so many ways as I ask myself what the kids identify is. Are they black because of the colour of their skin or are they white because their culture is "white". It reminds me so much of the story of a black girl born to white parents here in South Africa during apartheid. Who was or is she? White or Black? What or who determines your identity. In my opinion it seems like social constructs are too limiting since humans are so complex. Moving to a different city or country changes you, that when you go back to your hometown you are someone different. Then if we follow constructs strictly we begin to lose our sense of belonging or sense of who we are as we try to fit ourselves into those boxes again only to find we no longer fit perfectly. Forgive my rambling. I find the topic of identity very interesting.

  • @colleenlim1528
    @colleenlim1528 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Mark you are good looking attractive man. Thanks for sharing your story.

  • @loulou_9999
    @loulou_9999 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you both for a great story!

  • @jordiedmond5744
    @jordiedmond5744 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow he is (going to be) 35 but wow he looks 10 years younger than he look like it tells a lot about his positive energy around him
    Really interesting guy and good storyteller

  • @applemango9303
    @applemango9303 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Dont forget ur so valued! Love Fan of. U ! just fallow ur journey!

  • @kobe51
    @kobe51 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I can relate to this fellow a lot. I realized that I did absolutely nothing wrong being born into this world and then raised by different groups of people. I was never consulted by the centuries of human society's cultures and norms. It was all just foisted upon me.

  • @sunnyshamsa2794
    @sunnyshamsa2794 4 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    This video is so well done

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for watching!

  • @danielleoakes
    @danielleoakes 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    OMG IT'S MARK! I know him from formerly living in Seoul and connecting a little with the adoptee community there. He's so sweet! We've chatted about our adoption stories and experiences before, but it's nice to hear it here in such a nicely produced video. Well done! Also, yeah, I totally agree. Korea is very good at telling you who you are and aren't. It was something I struggled with a lot too.

  • @emmahunk5692
    @emmahunk5692 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was SO interesting and enlightening. Well done!
    And you are a very attractive, charismatic human being.

  • @valeriesuelove
    @valeriesuelove 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Keep doing videos like these🤗🤗🤗

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for the feedback! I most certainly will

  • @RobinKwonSooHan
    @RobinKwonSooHan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love that this channel has these types of stories on it. I know that each group (adoptees and halfies) have their own stories to tell and even within each group the stories are personal and unique...but I think we also share similar experiences even though our engagement with those experiences are what make them unique... this type of non-fictional story-telling is heartening to hear and appreciate it so much (from a Korean American adoptee living in Seoul)

  • @Loveforbutter
    @Loveforbutter 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    as a Korean adoptee who has just returned in search of my family, this is an amazing series. Thank you so much!

  • @ronyae3652
    @ronyae3652 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Very well done

  • @Lee1Min-Ji
    @Lee1Min-Ji 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I have been talking to some of my students who have been in foster care about their experiences. I am considering if I may take that on some day.

    • @skycedi
      @skycedi  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, it’s definitely eye opening when we hear the experiences of children in similar situations. Best of luck in your decision making process too Min-ji!

  • @jordiedmond5744
    @jordiedmond5744 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    He should make a manga about his story it would sell well like a great story teller and good artist do as I recommend you to do it will help you a lot

  • @margholtz
    @margholtz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Mark you are such a cool dude

  • @JESUSISLORDforevermore888
    @JESUSISLORDforevermore888 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    1/22/2021: Thank you for sharing your testimony, Mark. GOD bless you.

  • @peterroache4793
    @peterroache4793 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was fricken awesome. Thanks heaps Mark!

  • @clauaome25
    @clauaome25 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing!! Would like to hear more from him!!

  • @susiesuh1418
    @susiesuh1418 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    He doesn't mention his adoptive parents who loved him and raised him and probably miss him. He mentions burning ships, did he burn the bridge to his hometown and his parents also?

  • @angelamartin5403
    @angelamartin5403 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I really enjoyed this video and was just wondering if you ever met someone who is a Korean adoptee but adopted by a Korean parent. I am 40, almost 41 and I was adopted by a Korean mother and American father. I have never met anyone who has had my same set of circumstances.

  • @marig6184
    @marig6184 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Domestic adoption can sometimes be there impossible, so people choose foreign.

  • @yongyi4086
    @yongyi4086 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    identity,ㅡ I think, ㅡ one of the
    way you can have it, is,ㅡ learn
    KOREAN history and KOREAN
    han-gl (한글) . soon as you get it.
    ㅡ also you will get 'our' (우리).
    our language(우리말) ,
    our country(우리나라),
    our society(우리사회),
    our friends(우리친구),
    our house(우리집).
    you are belonging to something.
    that's what you will recognize
    deeply in you ㅡ and will love it.
    the most exciting thing is the
    relaxed feeling.
    as you see that the differences,
    what you didn't know, and now
    what you know.
    guess if you know more.
    han- gl is ㅡ anynody can learn read and write in 10 minutes.
    (of course if you learn from me) hahaha.
    이 쪼쪼글할망구가 이렇게 말하는 이유는
    한글은 아주 간단한 구조로 되어 있다.
    그러므로, 그 구조만 이해하면, 스스로
    익힐수 있다는 것입니다.
    identity, ㅡ라는 것에 '나'를 묶으려 하기
    보다는, 거기서 탈출해서 오로지의 '나' 를
    도드라지게 하는, 개체성을 빛나게 하는
    '나'를 as is 로 독특하게 살려보려 노력
    하면,ㅡ 더 보람되지 않을까, 합니다. 하하하
    아구, ㅡ 눈이 아물거린다.
    늙지 말으슈. 아프지 말구.ㅡ
    손 깨끗이 씻구,ㅡ 아이구 covid 19~

  • @IndigenousOfNepal
    @IndigenousOfNepal 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting with little hurt 😢 I hope he fit in there 😘

  • @thenobleone-3384
    @thenobleone-3384 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Mark was born in Korea I am trying to move to Italy that's my maternal side. Afghanistan isn't a place I could move due to how underdeveloped and poor. I do pray that Afghan people stop the violence. The Taliban and terrorism I could visit the country before my life is over

  • @thenobleone-3384
    @thenobleone-3384 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I can relate I didn't know my racial background until recently. I'm trying to connect with South Asians and Italians cause I have mixed ancestry

  • @csong9940
    @csong9940 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Not adopted but born in Taiwan and raised in the US. The feeling of never really belonging in one culture or the other exists for us too. White Americans will never see me as fully American while Chinese people see me as more American than Chinese.

  • @jintonic07
    @jintonic07 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you much for sharing your story. I still have issues as a 44 year old adoptee. Bottom line is, I have no loyalties except to my family and friends. Life was hard being adopted in 76'...America was mean back then lol. Other asians I met were jerks, and so were white, black, etc. Thank God things are finally starting to change for us now days!!!!!!!!!

  • @SunFlower-x3
    @SunFlower-x3 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good story, but self acceptance is his first duty, then the rest gets easier. I know Koreans and other races behaves accordingly what they judge you to be however, you have to teach people how to treat you. If you want to be successful with others you have to brush ignorance off of your shoulders. Paul said, " I know what being full is and I know what being hungry is. Pick and choose your encounters. But what does it say about the people that judge you, or places you mentally in a certain status quo.

  • @EnkhbatKhurts
    @EnkhbatKhurts 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would ask Mark why Why so many thoughts on that, why does he need that recognition. He is just like those Asian Americans.

  • @aliyah7216
    @aliyah7216 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Has this guy got an isntagram??? ^^

    • @Ragnorok6872
      @Ragnorok6872 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Leah B @makuyaah :)

  • @clauaome25
    @clauaome25 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very handsome man!!!

  • @thenobleone-3384
    @thenobleone-3384 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow

  • @mihwarode9630
    @mihwarode9630 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for sharing your story. Be confident, respect who you are. You are chosen by your parents and especially from God. When you know Jesus, you are special and God has adopted you and you are a child of God.

  • @thenobleone-3384
    @thenobleone-3384 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your an Orphan just like me I was given away right at the time of my birth so I never have met my Biological family

  • @mapuche888
    @mapuche888 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You should live in LA. You'd fit right in.

  • @IronFreee
    @IronFreee 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your parents probably took a Korean kid because Koreans were very good at abandoning kids and very bad at adopting them.
    Asians tend to define themselves racially but you don't have to be as close minded. You can befriend whoever you want in all the school, don't just sit at the Asian table...