Jeollanam-do, Korea - 1940's

In 1941, in Jeollanam-do, Korea, my grandmother was born as the youngest and only daughter among seven children. She was raised in the countryside, in a very well-off farming family. Her family’s wealth allowed them to employ two to three live-in workers at all times, and they owned several acres of land.

She was born in a small town where everyone knew each other. She often tells me how much people loved her mother—my great-grandmother. She was known for her generous spirit, intelligence, and fun-loving personality. She loved giving to others, helped around the house, and worked alongside the workers regularly. My great-grandfather, her husband, was also a respected figure in town, serving as the village head.

Given such a comfortable life, one might wonder: why leave it all behind to move to New York?

My grandmother says that after marrying my grandfather, they decided to move to New York because they had heard it was a good place to live. More importantly, they wanted a better future for their three children. Using the money they had saved, they immigrated to New York in hopes of building a new life.

To earn a living, my grandfather worked in the laundry business, folding and washing clothes. My grandmother initially worked in a textile shop and later took a job at a nail salon. Through hard work and perseverance, they eventually saved enough money to buy a house in Fresh Meadows, Queens, where they raised their three children.

And now, all these years later, here I am—asking my grandmother about her life and listening to this incredible story of courage, love, and sacrifice.