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Between Us

"We never spoke about our feelings"

Julie Hwang, a former attorney turned writer, discusses her complex relationship with her Korean American family. She recounts her father's stern, sometimes violent behavior, contrasting with her nurturing mother. Julie describes a culture of silence and criticism, lacking affirmation and open communication. Her father's death in 2020 triggered deep grief and depression, leading her to journal and explore his past. Through her aunt, she learns about her father's traumatic escape from North Korea and unshared family history. This exploration inspired Julie to write an essay and a script, helping her process her grief and understand her father's legacy.

"Every single one of them were getting jumped into a gang and and then, like, I remember I felt like, left out. Like, why you guys all you know, leaving me right?"

The conversation delves into the personal experiences of Peter, who discusses the impact of his parents' separation at age five, his subsequent enrollment in military school, and his struggles with identity and belonging in Korea. He recounts his return to LA, his mother's depression, and his own experiences with gang life and eventual transformation through faith and education. Peter highlights his efforts to start a gang intervention program in Koreatown, which provided job training, leadership development, and community projects, ultimately receiving $250,000 in funding and becoming a full-time staff member.

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In a discussion about mental health perceptions in Korea, Nuri, a Korean resident, notes that emotional expression is generally seen as a strength but can be a weakness in the workplace. She attributes the reluctance to discuss failure in Korean families to societal expectations and judgment. Nuri observes that Korean children often prefer discussing personal matters with friends rather than parents. She also notes a shift towards more open conversations about mental health, with younger generations being more open-minded and less ashamed to discuss mental health issues compared to older generations, who still face stigma.

The conversation focused on Drew's experiences growing up in a Korean American family, exploring themes of love, parental relationships, and mental health

Drew shared personal stories about his parents, particularly his father's tough love approach and his mother's sacrificial nature

He discussed how his faith helped him find his voice and overcome challenges, including racial hostility and family dynamics

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