What is a Korean Southerner?

Quirky, right?

It’s taken me my whole life to claim both of these identities. If you want the long story, hit the subscribe button. Here’s the short version:

Our lives are made up of seeming contradictions and nuanced truths, both of which get lost in today’s soundbite culture. I am here to speak into these narrow spaces and to have a little fun doing it.

I’m Emily. Born in Seoul, adopted and raised in rural Oklahoma, and currently residing in Texas. Former workaholic with lots of impressive accomplishments, current CEO of our household. My life is a walking joke: Sooner married to Longhorn, agnostic married to ministry worker, Korean married to white dude. Our family doesn’t need acronyms because we are living, breathing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Basically: I unashamedly put bacon in my seaweed soup, and I’m here to talk about why that makes us all better. (I hope I didn’t alienate all the vegans with that line, but I’m also overcoming a life of people pleasing, so. Yay, bacon. Boo, people pleasing.)

Who are you, my readers?

You are people who know that bald truth is the way to genuine connection. You value honesty, integrity, and a good joke.

You have Big Feelings about life in the South because it's impossible not to.

If you're a parent, some of my stories will ring truer for you. If you're not a parent, my stories may validate that particular life decision.

You want to talk about race, but without being immediately judged and shamed. You want to talk about parenting, but without someone calling CPS. You want some breathing room to engage honestly and be real. You are thoughtful, gracious, and able to laugh at yourself a little.

Why subscribe?

Subscribers are our community. When you subscribe, you can:

  • receive posts directly in your inbox

  • join the conversation on the Notes page (like social media, but without trolls and dumpster fires)

  • engage in comments on individual posts

I’d like to humbly offer to continue a dance you’ve already begun with your favorite writers - a conversation between my words and your thoughts, a small shift in perspective, a new frame for our frayed world. I hope you’ll find reassurance in my writings and in the notes and comments that you’re not alone.

Subscription is free, and you can opt out at any time. I’ll send a newsletter a few times each month.

Let’s do this!

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A Seoulful exploration of parenting, race, and everyday life in the American South

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🇰🇷🇺🇸 I seek nuance and grace on the internet, say the embarrassing things, and overestimate my comedic ability. Also, as my friend Chilli says: I’ve made two people, and I’m their leader.