I Accidentally Found Out I Was Adopted at 16 (Black & Korean Adoptee)

Rick is half Black and half Korean, born in Incheon, South Korea. He was adopted by a Black American family, unaware of his Korean roots until he accidentally discovered the truth at sixteen. We are honored to share his story and cheer him on he moves to Korea where he will be for the next few years.

Links

The Halfie Project

[TheHalfieProject]

The Halfie Project exists to share experiences as they are. That being said, it is not our place to judge, surmise, guess or assume the mindsets or circumstances of anyone and their choices they make. We hope you’ll feel the same way and watch with the same compassion and appreciation we have when we interview our guests. Thanks for watching.

[missmorrison]

I am crying right now. I feel and know his hurt, I live his pain everyday. I am half African American and Korean. I was born in 1982. I was told my birth mother had me and took me to the baby sitter and she never came back. After some time. My sitter took me an orphanage (Along with another female. I strongly believe this other female was my mother seeing me off for the last time.) in hopes that I would get adopted and come to the US. I always knew I was adopted. The American kids never let me forget that. Along with my slanted eyes and puffy mixed hair. My adopted life was hard and I went through things you only see on tv. Today, I am 40 years old and a mother of four amazing kids. I have learned to love myself and accept the path that was given to me. My only hopes are to find my mother. I was blessed enough to find my father through ancestry DNA and he has been great! I pray I can find her to tell her thank you for loving me more than herself. My name Ae Mo, says it all. I need her to know she has grandkids who is wanting to know her. I pray that anyone in my shoes. No matter what race finds all answers that they are searching for. Not knowing and being with her is like forever having this dark space in your heart that not even the sweetest hugs from your kids could fill. It is something so deep that only God or answers will fill. I wish this hurt on no one. This hurt has almost broken me down a few time. Thankfully, the blood that flows within me forces me to fix my crown. While never forgetting that each day I am allowed to wake is a great day for change. Another chance to be a blessing to someone.

[skycedi]

Thank you for sharing your story Rick. You have the support from all of us in the Halfie community and beyond as you continue on your journey. 🙏🏽

[amapparatistkwabena]

I'm so glad he got to connect with his Black side. God, I can't imagine what Korean kids adopted by non-Korean parents must go through.

[kimmcfadden]

It just shows you the idea of race the is really a social construct. My mother and my uncle had talked about the blending of cultures in our family but I didn't have the details in a story and then I found out more than a decade ago just by looking at the census records that my grandmother's side of the family was listed as mulatto so that means there's a European side to us that has been documented but in America if you have an African bloodline you're not supposed to necessarily acknowledge that European part. There's a whole history on how these people got together and we're just supposed to ignore the white part like it's not in our genes &: that it all happened through rape and that is not true. That's unfortunate...

[mkim]

Rick thanks for sharing your story. You have a beautiful daughter. All the best in your journey of searching for your birth mother.

[bonds]

I grew up in a foster home... just found out I'm ( part) Asian recently at 48 years old. Nice to hear the story of someone somewhat similar to mine.

[julianafood]

It is amazing to hear Rick’s story. I’ve watched every episode of kimchi chronicles when it was released. I love Rick’s positive mindset and hope that he is able to find his birth mother.

[nielsemo]

Hello, Rick
GOD Bless, your step Dad & Mom, adopted you, and they raised you well. I hope many success to your life, your stay in Korea.

[Jun-ouor]

Hello Rick. Great interview and story. I am also half Black / Korean. Completely understand what you meant in all aspects. I was fortunate enough to grow up with my Korean-mother and Black-father in America. I also lived in Korea for many years as a student and for work. The Korean story is a beautiful story, steeped in tragedy and hardship. I believe there within is the strength and resiliency of the Korean people, which you clearly possess. I hope you find everything you are searching for and much more. Many blessings to you and your family.

[jellybellyfun]

2:00 "Black" is not a country, though, just like "Asian" is not a country. What would he be connecting to??? Also, because he looks Asian and Black, both sides wouldn't have embraced him in the 1990's or before. Black people would look at him and ask him what kind of Asian he is. Asian people would look at him and see a Black man. The world is cruel.

[nielsemo]

And I forgot to mention the one of real key points about you & your story.
Your daughter she so gorgeous 😍

[jellybellyfun]

He looks very Asian and Black, so how could he not have suspected he's Asian?

[mariexavier]

Great interview! Was that Skycedi asking a question in the background? I miss him.

[kristinjacobsen]

Thank you for sharing this and other histories. They are difficult and sad to hear, but also exciting and uplifting to know of people helping each other, caring about others and being kind. God bless you.

[pattyh]

Has he found DNA matches on his birth father's side? Is there another video where he discusses his birth father information?

[liliebilie]

I feel like Rick does look very Korean but he has brown skin and I think that can make people ignore other features and only focus on the skin colour

[jworld]

Thank you for sharing your story, Rick. I watched Kimchi chronicle and Marja's interview for Korean news very long times ago. Didn't know she has a brother. With her memory in Korea including her experience in the orphanage, she is such a big sister to keep the secret from you. I don't know about the detail but I felt such a lovely vibe from your step parents and your big sis. Good luck with everything 🫶

[chilwolpalwol]

O Marja is your sister? I watched Kimchee chronicle.. wishing you find your mother soon!