Monday
Jul082013
Adam
Monday, July 8, 2013 at 10:10AM
Adam is currently raising money to return to Korea. This time he's going to try to find his family. His goal is a very modest $2,000. You can read more about his story over here.
Adam is a very important friend...a genuinely interesting and wonderful person. Seeing the positive changes in him as he's become more active in Korean adoptee groups and after travelling to Korea has deeply impressed me with the importance of adult adoptees seeking out these connections. As mentioned in the comic, however, please tread carefully. Returning to your birthland can be an emotional minefield, so make sure you have support and are openly communicating your feelings with people you trust.
You're the best, Adam. Good luck on your trip.
Reader Comments (19)
This really is an amazing comic, in both the art and the unfolding of the story. Even though I have lived a very much healthy childhood, moving to America with my family from China at a young age led me to have a similar "oh my gosh i'm back" moment when I first returned to China at age 10.
In China, from what my parents have told me, a similar pattern of abandoning children still exists, especially due to the one-child policy as well as the desire for a male child. I don't know how prevalent it is, nor have I ever been to a orphanage in China, but the fact of the matter is that all of these children deserve a loving family to raise them.
So thank you for the beautiful comic, and best of luck in returning to Korea once again!
Thank you. I am saving this for my youngest son. It helps me understand what he may be going through.
This is great. Really moving.
Hi! Wow, I definitely had tears in my eyes! I love being able to hear other adoptee's voices and realize how much they resonate with my own. I live about 15 minutes from Gimcheon too and I was wondering if you had information about the orphanage. I'd like to start volunteering there if possible. I wish you all the best in your search for your birth family.
Loved it! <3
The comic was forwarded to me from a fellow Korean adoptee. I had also recently visited Korea for the first time.. I really identified with your prospective on feeling as though you belonged and connection. Really awesome! Thank you for posting your drawings!!
I was born in the Yongsan US Army hospital in Seoul, and I have not been back to Korea since I was around 5 years old. I'm a Korean American, but I never learned Korean nor do I know very much about Korean culture. My Korean mother has mental health issues and has abused me physically and emotionally my entire life, and my father was often away for work. As a result I have distanced myself from my Korean heritage. It's hard to want to learn more about your mother's family when you hate your mother... but even still I would someday like to learn Korean and to visit her family.
I can't imagine what it was like for you, but I am glad you were able to go back and that you had a positive experience. I hope you will be able to go back again and to have an even better time. I wish you the best of luck!
Thank you for this perspective. My 12 year old daughter is from China, and she really hasn't been too interested in dealing with this stuff yet. I think this might be a good introduction to get her thinking.
I will pray for you that you can find your family. May God bless you and be with you!
The watercolors are just perfect for this tale. Thank you so much for your lovely work!
Beautiful piece.....if you are not a music teacher you are an illustrator.......with a good heart :)
Adam, this is beautiful. It made me cry. Think about self-publishing this. I would buy one.
Hi Katie. There will be more comics on Adam's experiences in the future. Once we've completed the series, I plan to make it available for purchase.
That was absolutely amazing.
A beautiful comic for a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing!
Amazing, Sass~~
Great story, beautifully told.
Very touching.
Great post, thanks for sharing - painter and decorator stoke on trent.