As a Korean-German Adoptee, I struggled to navigate the in-between spaces of our identities and define what Home and BELONGING meant to me—I limited the meaning of belonging to cultural belonging. 

I was 18 years old when I looked into the mirror and started to question the person I was confronted with. Since then, I have been awakening to my own color, inner world, and trauma of separation from my origin. Who am I, and who do I actually want to be/come? — I had been in denial of how much my adoptee self was limiting my authentic expression.

COMING OUT OF THE FOG and the subconscious trauma of separation made me realize how out of touch I was with my inner world and authentic self.  After years of trying to self-help, reading books on identity and adoption, and tested several spiritual and movement modalities, I opened up and looked for professional support to help me overcome identity shame, people pleasing, and feelings of unworthyness. Cognitive therapy was helpful, but I still felt trapped in my mind and my limiting beliefs. When I learned the language of my body, I started to see significant shifts in my mental, physical, and emotional health. Integrating mindfulness, trauma-sensitive somatic (body-based) practices, journalling, creative expression, and compassionate inquiry into my daily routine—has been life-changing!

CONNECTING WITH FELLOW ADOPTEES made me realize that I’m not alone, and that I can learn so much about myself through other adoptees’ perspectives. Being validated, heard, and seen in my adoptee experience changed my self-understanding and allowed me to grow and transform with results I wouldn’t have achieved on my own. I became a member of the Korean Adoptee Association in Germany and engaged in local communities. During the pandemic, I connected with adoptees across the globe and started some insightful conversations about cultural differences in our various upbringings and self-understanding.

I transitioned my career, expanded my training in Mindfulness, Mind-Body-Modalities, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, and founded NUMARU — offering a safe community and holistic support program for adoptees that I wished I had when I was younger, and that feels INSPIRING and EMPOWERING. 

My multi-disciplinary approach weaves mindfulness and somatic practices with creative self-explorations, compassionate inquiry, and honest community connections— and is inspired by my professional background in the design, food, and event industry and holistic way of living.

Today, I collaborate with NGOs, Korean Associations, and fellow adoptee space holders on an international level! Read more about my journey in the ABOUT section.