About ‘Humans of Korea’

Humans of Korea is a blog inspired by Humans of New York. Its goal is to highlight the many sides of South Korea and challenge the idea that the country is a completely homogenous society. In reality, Korea is multifaceted, with diverse populations and people who live both in Korea and abroad while maintaining firm Korean roots.

Introducing Our team:

Janice Lee

I am a senior at Chadwick International and actively involved in volunteer work that highlights the diversity within Korea, particularly the presence of minority communities. My main focus has been working with Koryo-saram, ethnic Koreans who migrated to Russia, Ukraine, and other regions, and who are now returning to Korea. I design and lead educational programs to support second- and third-generation students in integrating into Korean society.

In addition, I conduct interviews on issues related to minority groups in Korea, as well as on themes like friendship and cultural exchange. Having lived in Vietnam, I also explore the experiences of Korean students abroad in Vietnam, the UK, the US, and other countries, and consider their education and future plans.

Hyojung Park

I am a senior at Branksome Hall Asia with a strong interest in how youth navigate identity through multicultural experiences and how Korean media is rising and being perceived globally. My work focuses on sharing the voices of teenagers who have lived in or across cultures—such as Korea, Canada, and France—and are currently studying under the IB Diploma Program. I conduct interviews exploring how these students interpret belonging, education, and cultural influence in their daily lives. I have also interviewed media professionals, including writers and entertainers in the Korean broadcasting industry, to better understand how K-culture is expanding and being received worldwide. Through these conversations, I aim to explore how Korea’s cultural identity is being adapted, represented, and reimagined across borders.

Yeojin Song

I am a senior at Chadwick International with a lifelong interest in how Koreans build lives across borders. I have attended international schools in three cities—Jeju, Shenzhen, and Seoul—experiences that deepened my curiosity about the lives of Koreans who live abroad and the ways they maintain identity while adapting to new cultures.

Having studied in the Korean national curriculum as well as the IB and AP programs, I have gained a broad understanding of how different educational systems shape students’ perspectives. This background helps me connect with peers navigating a variety of curricula, whether in Korea or overseas. Because I have experienced diverse international school environments myself, I focus on understanding and documenting the stories of students growing up in different countries and regions. Through interviews, I explore their education, friendships, and future plans, highlighting how young people navigate cultures beyond their homeland.

Sieun Choi

I am a junior at Chadwick International with an interest in exploring multicultural identities in and out of South Korea. I have experience in elementary educational service for Korean, Koryo-saram, and immigrant children. I have studied under Canadian, American, South Korean, and the International Baccalaureate curricula, and have undergone education in both English and Korean-speaking schools. I wish to utilize my own anecdotes and contribute with careful analysis of the social, political, and economic structure of Korea.

I plan on further expanding my journalistic abilities through compassionate and intimate takes on the different daily struggles and highlights of the lives within the Korean diaspora.