There are over 180,000 children who were internationally adopted out of South Korea, mainly during the 1970s and 80s. These children are now adults. More recently, studies have focused on the intergenerational aspect of adoption, including adoptees giving birth and adoptees parenting their own children.

This project focuses on the adult (18+) children of Korean adoptees. This study is the natural next step in Korean adoption studies as we currently have no data on this population. This database will help researchers understand this unique part of the Korean diaspora and emphasize the importance of understanding that adoption is not a one-time event and impacts generations.

We will explore topics of cultural socialization, racial and ethnic identity, and adoption socialization. For example, how did you understand your parents’ adoption growing up? What is your relationship to Korea and Korean culture now as an adult?