Legacy Project Video: Joy Lieberthal Rho

Joy was adopted from Korea. She came to her family just shy of her sixth birthday. She grew up in New York. She lived in Korea for a year working in an orphanage. During that time she learned how to speak Korean, learned that her birth mother had been searching for her for 21 years and learned that her identity as a Korean adopted person was a significant aspect of who she is. She has been in reunion with her birth mother since 1994. She shared her story with Julie Young of KoreanAmericanStory.org in August, 2014 at Camp Sejong in New Jersey. This video of Joy Lieberthal Rho premiered at the Minnesota Transracial Film Festival (MNTRFF.org) on Saturday, November 8, 2014.
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[@DocNirvana1]

Thank you for sharing. I was born in Korea, my mother was from North Korea. I was bullied as a kid, but I never lost a fight. I always stood up. I was raised in Oklahoma, HELL. Take care Joy! I teach Asian American literature. I love Dictee by Cha, about how Korean women are killed. She herself was murdered.

[@borrowedtongue]

Just an incredible story. I'm a KAD that also reunited with my birth mom. I'm in Korea now for my second visit.

[@KoreanAmericanStory]

How wonderful. Best to you and your family. Let us know if you ever want to share your story.

[@borrowedtongue]

KoreanAmericanStory.org would love to someday

[@gracekim2681]

Thank you for your courage and vulnerability.

[@wanderson0205]

I just love these stories. They are so heart to heart and are so honest and pure. It’s like they come from their souls! So beautiful and I thank each and everyone for sharing their stories with us.

[@melaniebrisbane9737]

Amazing and raw. I love Joy. She’s a beautiful person.

[@junebug6124]

Wow, this is beautiful! I am also a KAD. So well spoken, articulate, genuine. Thank you for this.

[@tonisumblin2719]

Amazing that I listened to her recall her memories and I started remembering to. I was also 6 years old.

[@craigkeller]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. My wife is a Korean adoptee...many similarities to your story.

[@JJ-yu6og]

Your words and experiences reflect my own, in ALLLLLL WAYS. Also brought to the states at 6. I remember , too, what happened in Korea and the flight from Korea to the states. Even your 3 months in Korea... lol... all from the White girl perspective!! 😆 hahaha