Additional Coverage:
- I moved to South Korea without knowing anyone. A family of strangers took me in, and we’re still in touch 18 years later. (businessinsider.com)
Finding Family in a Foreign Land
Moving to South Korea at 24 to teach English, I envisioned a grand adventure. The reality, however, was a harsh landing.
Days after arriving in Seoul, I found myself locked out of my apartment, my belongings packed in garbage bags. My employer had reneged on the job offer, unceremoniously passing me on to a friend across town.
My new apartment was small and musty, located in a rundown alley on the outskirts of the city. Loneliness quickly set in.
My evenings were spent in a children’s taekwondo class, feeling like a character in a sitcom, and my nights were filled with Skype calls home, desperately seeking connection.
Then, a ray of hope emerged – the Kim family. They owned a Korean barbecue restaurant, aptly named The Pig House, located at the end of my alley.
They approached me about tutoring their six-year-old daughter, Eujin, in English. Our lessons took place in a small back room of the restaurant, often accompanied by the sounds of Korean soap operas playing on the television.
Soon, dinner at The Pig House became a nightly ritual. Myungjoo, Eujin’s mother, embraced the challenge of learning English, using a phrasebook to communicate with me.
One evening, a playful argument erupted, with Myungjoo and Byungdong, her husband, trading insults from the phrasebook, their efforts resulting in endearingly mangled English pronouncements.
The Kims welcomed me into their lives with open arms. We sang karaoke with their extended family, celebrated Chuseok together, and embarked on weekend adventures, hiking in scenic locations I would never have discovered on my own.
Their warmth and generosity filled a void I hadn’t realized existed. As an only child from a divorced family, the Kims provided a sense of belonging and connection I deeply craved.
After seven months, I left Korea, but my bond with the Kims remained strong. Eujin, now 24, the age I was when we first met, speaks fluent English.
We regularly connect through video calls, sharing stories, recipes, and even interview advice. My children, who are now the ages Eujin and her brother Woonghee were back then, receive Christmas gifts from her.
The Kims dream of visiting the US, and we’ve assured them they’ll always have a place to stay. After all, that’s what family does. Their kindness and generosity transformed my experience in Korea from one of isolation to one of profound connection, reminding me that family can be found in the most unexpected places.