I forgot to mention to you.....I am adopted. I was born in South Korea, and was adopted by an American family when I was 10 months old.
I was born with the name Hae Joong. This was a picture of me when I was still in Korea as an infant. I do not regret being adopted. I love my American parents, and the life and opportunities that they have given me.
My parents actually encouraged me to look up my family in Korea when I turned 18. I did just that, with the help of a family my parents have kept in contact with all these years. This family still had contact information for my biological father in Korea. Long story short, a phone call was made with the help of a translator, a Korean family friend, and at the age of 18, I heard for the first time, my Korean father's voice crying out. After a short period of time(within hours), I began receiving phone calls from all of my siblings. I was the youngest of six children, 4 brothers and 1 sister. I don't know all of the details as to why I was adopted, but I do know that it was a tragic situation, and my mother died two months after my birth.
I have made 3 trips to Cheonan, South Korea where most of my siblings and father live, and I want to share with you some of the photos I took on my most recent trip.
This is my father Sung Byung and sister Son Won with me at my eldest brother's home.
My eldest brother Sung Joong is vice principal at a middle school in Cheonan.
My second brother Won Joong, who is teaching me about Korean BBQ. He is a well known newspaper reporter in Cheonan.
Left to right is In Joong my 3rd brother and is a bus driver, and Hak Joong my 4th brother who sells insurance.
Beondegi, a street food that you eat from a cup with a tooth pick. It is silkworm pupae.
Tasty! Well not sure about that, but hey, I'm willing to try just about anything ONCE.
Ah, Korean BBQ and a little soju with my nephew, my 2nd brother and his doctor friend.
My Nephew Min and I in Seoul visiting Deoksugung Palace, a group of several palaces that date back to the Joseon Monarchy.
Seoul Tower
While at Seoul Tower, my nephew Min bought one of these and wrote a message on it for me, and we placed it among thousands of others along the railing that wraps around the tower.
There are so many other pictures I would like to share, but I've kept you long enough.
It is a rare opportunity to have two families on two continents. I am blessed to have them both. Thank you for allowing me to share. Billy
