The inspiration behind this blog arises from a combination of factors, with the most significant being my desire to share my unique stories.
In early 2022, my story was featured on Australia’s SBS website, prompting many readers to visit my restaurant and express their gratitude for my resilience and determination in making my way to Australia. Although I merely lived my life as best I could, the heartfelt appreciation for my experiences instilled a sense of gratitude within me, even for my North Korean origins.
Naturally, my story cannot be fully captured in a single, brief article—there is so much more to share.
Then, you might wonder why I chose a blog over YouTube.
While YouTube is a powerful platform where viewers can see and hear the creator, I have a deep love for reading.
It is no exaggeration to say that books have transformed my life. Works like One Child by Torey Hayden and My Sweet Orange Tree by José Mauro de Vasconcelos deeply resonated with me, especially given my unconventional teenage years in North Korea and China. For me, books offer a more intimate means of touching the core of one’s heart—a testament to the power of the written word. Who knows, perhaps my blog stories will one day become a book.
Growing up in North Korea, I never saw a library, and children’s books were rare, only encountered at school. Now, I visit the library weekly with my daughter, and dream of building libraries in North Korea, where I believe good books can transform lives.
In fact, I am a published author. I published the book “Kumhee’s Journey: From North Korea to Seoul, 7,000 km” in Korean in 2007. It ranked as one of the YA nonfiction bestsellers for a month on the Yes24 online bookstore. When I search for my book’s title, I still come across blog articles, book reviews, and students’ book reports. (The book’s rights have now returned to me. If you are a literary agent or publisher interested in publishing my story as a book, simply contact me—there are no copyright restrictions.)
I was able to publish that book because a publisher discovered me through my Cyworld posts. Back then, I frequently wrote about my experiences and emotions on Cyworld, which used to be South Korea’s popular microblogging platform. The publisher had been struggling to find a North Korean defector’s story that wasn’t overly political or provocative. Upon finding my Cyworld account, they contacted me.
Writing a book was far from easy, yet it proved to be a therapeutic experience. The process encouraged reflection, enabling me to look back on my life and gain valuable perspectives on both myself and my experiences.
Why tell my story amidst the numerous books and YouTube channels by North Korean defectors?
Each defector leads a unique life with a distinct narrative, and I am no exception.
My story is different from any you may have encountered before, as there is only one Kumhee in the world—even my sister’s story is distinct from mine.
I also hope for my daughter to read my stories when she’s old enough to comprehend them.
I have encountered numerous North Korean families who refrain from sharing their personal narratives with their children. Perhaps they carry a sense of shame about their origins, or it may be that they’re unwilling to confront the wounds and hardships of their past.
As the child of a father from South Korea and a mother from North Korea, living in Australia, I anticipate her intricate journey to discover her roots and establish her identity. I want her to take pride in being the daughter of a courageous mother who crossed borders multiple times in pursuit of a better life, never settling for less.
Thus concludes my detailed explanation of why I blog. Thank you so much for reading this far. I hope you’ll return to my blog and enjoy the many stories I plan to share from here on out.
Contrary to what you might think, I am not the one crafting the articles on this blog. In truth, it is my cherished friend, Jiwon, who breathes life into my stories through her eloquent prose. (Intriguingly, she shares the same name as my daughter, Jiwon. Jiwon was one of many names that my father-in-law proposed for our newborn daughter. Because of my friend Jiwon, I considered no other names and chose ‘Jiwon’ for my daughter’s name.)
We have a virtual meeting every week where I share my experiences, and she skillfully transforms them into the captivating posts you read here in English.
An important detail I should mention is that it was Jiwon who initially encouraged me to share my story in English. Our friendship goes all the way back to 2002.
I arrived in South Korea in 2001 and immediately embarked on my GED preparation journey. Due to the South Korean government’s non-recognition of North Korean elementary school diplomas (owing to the discrepancy between North Korea’s 4-year primary education and South Korea’s 6-year system), I first needed to acquire an elementary school graduate certificate. To prepare, I attended academic institutes and sought assistance from volunteer tutors.
Jiwon not only helped me with English, but also provided support in other subjects whenever I had questions. At the time, my brother Kumchun was attending middle school and frequently sought Jiwon’s guidance when encountering difficulties in his studies. My father, working as a building security guard, kept a notebook in which he recorded words or phrases he found challenging to understand. Although both Koreas speak Korean, their languages have developed distinctively. South Koreans often use a multitude of foreign words in their daily lives, which can be difficult for North Koreans to grasp, particularly those with English roots. Jiwon would clarify the meanings of these words for my father. She frequently spent hours at our home, joining us for dinner and enjoying my mother’s delicious home-cooked meals. Jiwon’s boyfriend (now her husband, Dawoomi) even visited our house to repair our computer.
In 2003, Jiwon moved to the United States. By that time, I was already attending the Alternative School for North Korean Defectors (34 School, reads SetNet School) and no longer required a personal tutor, as my teachers at 34 School (SetNet School) catered to my academic needs. (Fast forward to January 2023, during my visit to South Korea, I had the pleasure of meeting my esteemed former school principal, who we affectionately referred to as “MangChae Ssaem.” “Mangchae” translates to “mudskippers” in North Korean dilect, and “Ssaem” is a friendly term for a teacher.)
Consequently, Jiwon was my final personal tutor.
While in the US, Jiwon earned her Ph.D. and became a professor. One of her research areas focuses on media literacy education for North Korean defectors to enhance cultural competence. Jiwon has taught at various academic institutes specifically designed for North Korean defectors and has collaborated with numerous individuals from North Korea in both South Korea and the United States. As a teacher, researcher, and activist, Jiwon passionately supports North Korean defectors in various capacities.
While I may not be the one physically typing the words on this blog, I am an active participant in the process. During our weekly meetings, I read aloud every single word written by Jiwon. As I read, I provide feedback on what to add or remove and suggest revisions to the sentences. In this way, I believe that we are writing this blog together, as a true collaborative effort.
© From Two Koreas 2024
