nothing to do with Korea or adoption...except Harry Potter actually was adopted - hmmm...

found this on my friend's daugther's myspace and I find it kinda weird but crazy - it seems my sense of humour has taken a turn lately towards non-comprehensive - stop-making-sense, hope this is just a phase

The village idiot - and the adopted child

Try replacing "the village idiot" with "adopted" in Monty Phyton's sketch - The Village Idiot!

I just happened to find this sketch and I find that it unintendingly has some lucid comments on the struggle that some adopted children go through to find it's role in the new family and new country - enjoy!!

So what ! * ,- )

On that day in August, 1968, being on the Japan Air flight from Seoul to Copenhagen - at what longitude or latitude - at what exact hour and second - when exactly did I loose my personal right to claim my Korean heritage?

So far, I've gradually become (re) acquainted with the culture of my birth country via friendships, Korean people, 2 years of studying for my minor BA in Korean language, travelling in Korea and taking active part of the network of adoptees..

And from where I stand now - I am reclaiming my Korean cultural heritage :)

So what -
if I am not Korean by nationality

So what -
if people have said and still say "But you're just like us! You're Danish!"

So what -
if I didn't grow up in Korea and didn't become an inherent part of the culture, language, religion and tradition from childhood.

So what -
if I grew up in the West in Denmark and became established in this mindset.

So what -
if I feel that I am a riddle without an answer.

So what -
if my adoptive mother and brother (biological son of adoptive parents) don't support this.

So what -
if Korean society's norms immediately will mark me and my fellow international adoptees - as somewhat 'weird', unpredictable and unreliable alien creatures.. and definitely not see us as Koreans :)

So what!
whether this term may be sending mixed signals requiring further explanation - I am Korean.

The freeing power of role models

Growing up as international adoptee in Denmark in the 70'ties and 80'ties, I remember the lack of actual living representatives of Asian people and all the stuff that teen-agers walk, talk and breathe for i.e. FASHION - except Yoko Ono and the inuits in Copenhagen. Today, I can't help but thinking - and hoping! - that some Asian adoptee kids will kick their heels towards some of the myths and stereotypes on how a "sweet well-adapted adoptee" 'should' dress and look.

........................

If you're interested further - here's a link to Michael Najjar - a digital artist, whose works I got aquainted with during my years at Copenhagen University and research for final thesis on mobile digital visual culture. Najjar presents a somewhat dystopian digital mindset - which is also to a certain extent disturbingly interesting.. The ones I like you'll see if you click on "artwork" and chose "Japanese Style" for pics from Shibuya and Harajuku kids. Also I am intrigued by the concept behind "No Memory Access".

Adoption in Danish national media

Danish national media TV2 Lorry aired this interview today on adoptees from Korea and the representatives, Jette Hye Jin Mortensen and Charlotte Yong San Gullach gave an eloquent well-spoken interview! Applause for sharing their personal experiences.

But still the headline presenting this interview is "Korea-children with problems" - Aigoo ;) However, Charlotte managed to skilfully adjust this during the interview.. stating that adoption is a life process (and 'progress') and that personal issues and dealings with adoption often surface later in life and thus requires post-adoption services.

Just another double eyelid surgery...

Hwanhee aka Fany - member of the K-pop duo, Fly to the Sky used to be quoted for his deep, mellow voice. However, he has now confirmed the rumors that he too had 'fallen victim' for the double eyelid surgery.

Hwanhee before surgery - he's the one, wearing a white hat

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Though I understand the pressure of having to look the part as a pop-star.. I have to say it's beginning to be somewhat eerie to me.. earlier stories on breast enhancement surgery on teengirls can't really beat the stated fact that Korean women get surgery that cuts of and eventually kills their nerves in the legs - thus giving them slim legs. And to get back to the face surgery - also hearing that double eyelid surgery is payed for by parents as a graduation gift in order to improve their kids' chance of a better job later on cannot just be regarded as a passing craze.

What's going on in the name of beauty? How about that glow in the eyes, the warmth of a smile, the sweetness of someone's charisma? A lot of fuzz and frenzy about the surface! which inevitably changes and is lost in the end! If everybody values only surface values - then what kind of 'happiness' are we teaching our kids..

About eyelid surgery on Tyra Banks: