Agreed. Korea is no longer a struggling poor developing country where the young and innocent are sent off to countries around the world for the hopes of a better life. Now, the Korean government is campaigning to keep adoptions within the motherland.
And this year, top stars Lee Mi-yeon, Yun Eun-hye, Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Jung-Eun, Jang Hyuk, Park Jung-a, Lee Seung-ki, Wondergirls, Suh Kyeong-suk participated in a special photo shoot by photographer Cho Sei-hon.
The “Letter from the angels No. 5″ campaign started in 2003 to encourage adoptions within the country.
The star studded black n’ white photos will be displayed at the Insa Art Center (Gana Art Gallery) in Insa-dong, Seoul from December 12 to 19th, 2007. Or, you can view more pictures at lovefund.or.kr (in Korean).
(top: Joo Ji-hoon - The best picture of the set since he looks very sad while the baby is looking at him and sucking his thumb. Cute!)
(left to right: Han Hye-jin, Jang Hyuk, Kim Jung-eun, Lee Mi-yeon, Park Jung-ah, Yoon Eun-hye)
Pop in:
Joo Ji-hoon does singles
Yun Eun-hye is at right angles
20 million won for a date with Wondergirls
B-list stars auction off their jeans
why cant i enlarge wg’s pic…
i want to see it. lol…
Seems to me that what should matter most is the fact that they are getting into good households, regardless of where they may end up.
wanna see the picture of Wonder Girls..
so badd.. ;P
Yeah, JJH’s pic is nice.
Reminds of of Bi and Epik High’s pictures like year.
^that’s last year. ANd that baby’s kawaii.
Does this mean that YYH and JJH met again for this pictorial?
same here with chadhova….
sorry, re-uploaded the picture of WG
Joo Ji Hoon is the only one looking sad in this photo shoot. I love how the baby is looking up him. How adorable.
ADORABLE-NESS!!!
I do hope that more Koreans will adopt. If they would adopt more then Korean babies wouldn’t have to go to foreigners. Foreigners take them because Koreans won’t. And as long as Koreans don’t take them, they should be allowed to go to foreigners.
Too bad, I wanted one.
aaaww… wonderful pics with a wonderful cause!
now i’m starting to see popseoul in a new light..hehe!
and no..YEH and JJH didn’t meet again for this photoshoot. hers was on Nov.26 and his was taken on Nov. 19.
Kim Jung Eun’s pic is nice too! ^^
my fav is Kim Jung Eun’s <3
Of course, it is always nice for children to go with someone who is like them, however isn’t the most important factor that they are placed in a home where they will be loved and cared for? Whether it be Korean or whatever, being showed love is important. If everyone was loved instead of being raised alone or in the streets, there would be less violence in the world today!
JJH’s pic is the most convincing one.. making me want to adopt the baby he’s carrying..hehe..so cute..
Shouldn’t it matter that these kids end up in good and loving homes more than how many Koreans adopt them? I understand the cause though.
jojo - yeah ,got to agree with u…
Kim Jung Eun is so pretty and looks like a young mother. I hope she will be a mother soon. Lee Seo Jin is blessed to have her as girlfriend and he should marry her soon as I am sure there are many others who want to marry KJE!
More than 160,000 children and babies have been sent overseas since the end of the Korean War. And the numbers keep growing because Korean society/government shuns single mothers. Hence they have no choice but to give up the flesh and blood to some unknown strangers in a foreign land.
You guys only think about the surface gains for the adoptee (the opportunities of the West) but never the deeper losses for the mother and for the child.
I fully believe in this cause. I think it so important for these babies to grow up learning their heritage and culture. There are too many stories of these kids being bought up in a foreign country, having to adjust to a new culture, language, way of living and growing up not knowing anything of their motherland. And even tho they have a home and family, some still have a life of hardship. Then some returning to their home country only to be treated like an outcast.
not fair.
Hypocrites. How about the fact that society shuns single parents? Or the fact that instead of taking some photo or ad campaign, why don’t they adopt?
Also keep in mind that Korea has strict requirements for Foreigners such as parents HAVE TO BE MARRIED and NO SINGLE MOTHER/FATHER. It’s not like these children are being adopted in droves.
I agree with the person who posted above. I don’t see a problem with foreigners adopting korean babies ~ as long as they have a home there is no problem.
WOW. HAN HYE JIN AND THE BABY. BEST PIC.
I can be adopted by Joo Ji Hoon?
bottom 3 pictures so cute!
Here is another fight for a cause without THINKING. Nobody bothers to think how adoption is korea is still not very accepted. So the message here is “ITS BETTER TO KEEP A CHILD PARENTLESS IN KOREA, THAN TO SEND THEM OVERSEAS. What a poor message. They should be fighting for trying to get all these familess children in GOOD HOMES no matter where it is. Korea has a double standard. They will take foreign investment, but shun foreign workers in the media, and shun off any homeless child that can have a better life in another country. I used to have respect for some of these artists, BUT NO MORE.
To me Korea sends very mixed messages and its hard for me to understand how this all works. I think its a good Idea to keep adoptions within the country but what if the people adopting are Koreans that live outside of Korea?
Han Hyejin can adopt me any day!
I don’t really care about this campaign. I still plan to adopt a baby from there in ten years or so. O_O
AWWWWW, I just LOVE the pic of Jang Hyuk…sigh…;)
Above all, Han Hyejin can breast-feed me any day!
well i guess the fact is that the campaign is to those local family with a good background..isn’t it?if S.Korea goverment try to convince korean family with a good financial( and with good cause too) to take part in adoption..then why not.. .Rather than pick up the good foreign family why not pick up the good korean family in their homeland..
But since i know nothing bout the whole matter..then again i might be wrong..
I agree with some of the commenters above and believe that the ad campaign will not improve the orphan situation in Korea. The number of orphans in Korea has doubled and very few Koreans want to adopt. If divorced women are looked down upon, imagine how a single mother is viewed. If the Korean government is campaigning to keep Korean orphans in Korea, I can only foresee that they will be stuck in orphanages and grow up with a dearth of love and support from proper parents if foreigners cannot adopt them. The US has adopted a large number of Korean children and many of them learn about their heritage throughout their lives.
what a great photo op for all celebrities…are u kidding me? i’m adopted, grew up in america (thank god!) and am really grateful for what i was given - no thanks to my fellow koreans.
blood lines in korea are so important, the idea of raising someone who is not your own is looked down upon in korean society - hence why hundreds of thousands of orphaned babies were sent overseas. only now does the korean govt act like they care. but it appears they only care because it makes them look good and it seems to be a “worthy” cause. and further, how embarassing is it that a society that is doing well can’t take care of its own?
and these celebrities posing with these babies…that’s really gross and so opportunistic. i wonder if any of these stars would actually adopt any one of these babies? or would they do it because it would be good for their career? DISGUSTING!!!!!
YEH holds the baby like she hold her dog…
Awww, that is a nice picture of JJH and the baby. Other pictures are very captivating as well.
JJH looks Hot in that picture I’m happy his hair is back to that length I hated the long hair he had early this year, but he looks like the only one that took this photoshoot as more of a job then a helping out for the young kinda thing.
Oh well he looks hot .n. that’s all that matters to me..lol
WG’s look sweet in there photoshoot. PJA looks pretty w/ the baby. I’m not really feeling YEH’s hairdo but she still looks beautiful with the baby.
It’s cool that there doing something for that young .n. trying to encourge there ppl to adopt.
@Pissed Adoptee:
Well: i wonder if any of these stars would actually adopt any one of these babies? or would they do it because it would be good for their career? DISGUSTING!!!!!
A) Most of them are single B)are still young C) Might not interested in parenthood (at least for right now)So why are you already calling them disgusting when they havnt even done anything wrong!?
And:only now does the korean govt act like they care. but it appears they only care because it makes them look good and it seems to be a “worthy” cause. and further, how embarassing is it that a society that is doing well can’t take care of its own?
I hate it when people say things like this- assuming that since its a government, etc etc, they only do it for themselves. Honestly, you nor I dont know that. I dont know these guys personally, so I cant say what their intentions are. And when you say “only now does the korean govt act like they care.” Are you saying that its better if they didnt?
I know this is getting long, but honestly (as a fellow adoptee) when I grew up here in America, my first thought was A) its obvious I’m adopted (I was six, so I was sent to an orphanage because my father died and later my mom died). At parties my ‘parents’ friends were all like “ooooh, you adopted an asian girl!” but to me it was all horrible. I missed being in Korea, And as for my parents, it felt so obvious that I wasnt related to them…… I guess it just depends on how you look at it. Some, I guess, like foreign adopting. For me, I’m happy with homeland raising.
Although sometimes I try to respect other’s comments, (this is something aside from this thread) I noticed that alot of time, although everyone can call others mean things, and say how bad others are- those comments as a person sort of show that some of you personally arent a better person yourself.
this is sounds not right, I mean as long as the baby have a good foreign parent and a good future why not? also the koreans have to change the stigma of orphans, it wasn’t their fault being an orphan. blame it to the korean goverment who suppose to take care of these orphans to have a better future.
@Cutie
So are you saying that you had a bad life growing up adopted? Did your adopted parents, not give you the love that parents give to there childern? Did they not give you the comfort, shelter, clothes on your back, food .n. water for you you grow?
If they didn’t then I’m sorry for you. No child should feel that way especially being adopted .n. leaving your homeland for a better life, should feel that they never got the love .n. support frm there adopted parents, but frm pissed adoptee her/he’s point of view is that they had a great life frm there adopted parents. He/She feels that Korean govt trying to stop forgein’s adopting korean babies is wrong.
Which I feel the same. I think what matters is as long as these kids get a great life doesn’t matter if it’s from a different country .n. shuning single mothers that is also wrong what is it to anyone else’s business if the single mother choses to have .n. keep her baby .n. raise her baby if that mother can give the love .n. support to her child then it’s no one’s business.
Korea govt or lifestyle is screwed up at times.
I’m still gonna adopt a korean baby like I had plan.
you know most of these stars would never go near a baby in real life.
I don’t see what’s wrong with foreign adoption. What matters is the kind of people that adopt and care for these babies and not about which country they end up living. If they get good care for all of them in Korea then I guess it’s all good.
my bro is adopted..my parents show luv and interest more in him than me..i dont mind-well a little at times..lol, but i understand..we never stop him from learning about his culture, we actually encourage him..
it doesnt who adopts korean babies..as long as they are going to be placed in a loving and caring home..
NOOOOOO Theres needs to be more adopted koreans for future generations– Its like the only Asian boy I could ever get is one that’s Korean on the outside and completely white on the inside– and asks me to help him get intouch with his “asian roots” if you know what i mean ^_~
Korea keep exporting those babies so future girls like me stand a chance! Adopted Koreans are absolute and pure <3
not only do the korean society shun unwed mothers,
the root of this is the fact that they shun adopting more.
and a lot of us are fortunate to have grown up with korean culture and language surrounding us everyday. but take it for granted.
and a lot of us think that these adoptees are ungrateful when they say that they wish that they had what we take for granted. a good home doesn’t only encompass a warm house, clothing and food.
lol can i just say “for promotion/publicity purpose” -.- too establish a good image eh?
Doesnt make sense really? sooo…are they going to adopt a child too…cuz if they dont, i wouldnt really give a….
The wondergirls? They’re still babies themselves
Why is everyone stinking up a fuss over foreigners and adoption? That’s totally beside the point.
This ad campaign isn’t to ban foreigners from adopting, it’s to put a more positive light on adoption. Yeah sure they use celebs, yada yada, but maybe some younger koreans will see this and change their views on adoption. You can’t change a country overnight, but the more exposure and awareness a cause receives, the more people can begin to accept and embrace it. And then maybe one day adoption and other factors surrounding it won’t carry the same social stigma as they did in the past.
I find it pathetic that the government is using celebrities to advocate keeping korean babies in Korea. I do not see a problem with foreigners adopting Korean babies. Clearly if Korea was ontop of it, there would not be a high number of Korean orphans in Korea.
If you really examine Korea’s economic and social existance, you would know that Korea is NOT developed. Please take a look OUTSIDE of the entertainment industry and outside of Seoul. You’ll know that many are in poverty but we dont see that. Korea is obsessed with APPEARANCE. To be seen as a successful and wonderful country void of any problems.
It is not as developed as you think it is. The economy is not stable, the disabled are shunned and rarely live past mid 30s, physical appearance is so important that majority of females and soon males are plastic, women are being TRAFFICKED… sold for sex, low wages (3 dollars an hour) for those who work in fast food, women again, are used as objects and etc.
If these celebrities were planning on adopting then the campaign would be semi-reasonable, but all that is happening is that pretty faces are being used so that the general public is encouraged to adopt. They’ve ran out of ideas…. clearly Koreans do not care to adopt otherwise there would not be so many orphanages and orphans in Korea right now.
This campaign is pathetic and just a great way to allow celebrities feel that they are contributing to society with something more than their pretty faces.
I’m not Korean or Asian for that matter. However i do know lots of Korean adoptees and they all hate being adopted outside of their country. A) the parents always believe the stereotypes of Asians especially Asian girls and are suprised when their child does not get down on hands and knees to thank them daily for “rescuing them”.B) They feel to Americanized to go home in fear of not fitting in.C) If I hear one more friend say this about their parents I will kill them. They have heard from THEIR ADOPTED PARENTS…if it wasn’t for me you would be a prostitute or working in a rice patty.
Personally I do want an Asian baby, but only if I’m married to the father. I will not however rip a child from it’s home. Most especially not into an American home.
On another note. I don’t feel a country should allow adoptions from other countries when the kids here are f’d up enough and we have HIGH numbers of abandoned children as well.
Wow eeteukluv,
That all seems so very true and amazingly it’s all negative. Wow, what a coincidence. pssh
jjh looks absolutely amazing.
wow.
So what if maybe some of the celebs just doing it for publicity? In any case it is shedding light to adoption (whether in Korea or in any other countries) and that’s the most important thing. These babies need a family and if more people become more aware of this through this photoshoot…then more power to everybody.
On a lighter note–love the Kim Jung Eun and Jang Hyuk ones..both look very natural holding their babies.
Thank you PISSED ADOPTEE.
I’m sick of people trying to make this be about something greater then it is in Asia. It’s about bloodline. Orphanages are filed with children who are not wanted by relative but aren’t allowed to be adopted because those same relatives won’t allow it. Why? You’d rather keep your bloodline pure then to find ya child a good caring home? That’s bull. The system & the society is all messed up and behind the times. Like it’s been said these orphanages are filled for a reason. Single mothers would not be giving up there babies for nothing.
Also the “losing your culture” excuse is another load of crap. In this day in age their is no way one cannot keep in touch with their culture and I know for a fact that most parents who adopted these children are more then willing to keep them in touch with their culture. Culture also shouldn’t be a thing that only defines anyone. What about being raised to be a decent human being? Being raised to be a free thinker? Being raised to focus mainly on culture is the problem with Asian culture/Asian pride. How many problems are still around today because of stupid cultural pride?
I’m really sad to see big celebrities supporting this foolishness and I’m also disgusted.
This is not about the greater good of the child it’s about Korean pride/Korean Bloodline. Maybe one day Asia will catch up with the rest of the world.
I’m also sick of people making this “a who has it worst” situation when it comes to foreign adoptions. NEWSFLASH: Comparing orphan care and resources in developed countries to undeveloped countries just boggles my mind. People always say “what about American Orphans?” Do you know how many resources & government support people have in America or Europe for that matter? No one will say the system is perfect but it sure as hell isn’t as bad as say the system for orphans in undeveloped countries. I’m sure 99% of western orphans don’t have to worry daily about being raped or about being beaten or having battery acid thrown on them for wanted to attend school like some children do in certain underdeveloped countries. DON’T BE SO NAIVE ABOUT THE WORLD!! Also, inside adoption are still very good in America. Just because celebrities adopt from developing countries doesn’t mean that everybody does. Stop getting your facts from Us Weekly & gossip magazines.
haha yoon eunhye’s baby looks like its shocked or something
“and I know for a fact that most parents who adopted these children are more then willing to keep them in touch with their culture.”
What a generalization. It’d be easier for foreign parents to teach their culture instead to make an effort to learn another culture for their children. Only a few foreign families can try to inform their adopted kids about their true roots.
“I’m sure 99% of western orphans don’t have to worry daily about being raped or about being beaten”
Uhh.. have you heard the news lately? There have been several rape cases in America too. And wtf for generalizing
Your post is full of crap.
Uhm, why are we concerned about culture…
Korea is slowly selling out to American cultural values…
McDonaldization has happened in Korea already…. there is no such thing as real Korean culture…. its lost in history.
i think JJH is the best one out of all the pictures…
love kim jung eun’s photo…so natural…..looks like she’s really ready to be a mommy ^_^
My gosh, there’s a lot of angry people here.
I really don’t see what the ruckus is about. The fact that celebrities are endorsing adoptions doesn’t change the fact that more babies will be adopted - and you’re quite right - so long they are adopted to loving homes inside or outside Korea - does it matter?
The Korean gov and culture of bloodlines seems to be getting a lot of flak here but really - no culture is “perfect” and this photoshoot DOES have good intentions. It endorses more adoptions and will hopefully allow more Koreans to accept and love these orphans they way they should be.
There are worst case scenarios for both babies left in Korea un-adopted and for babies taken overseas and raised in misery - that’s beside the point. YOUR personal experience hardly makes you entitled to making sweeping assumptions about ALL adoptions and an ENTIRE culture. I’m certainly wary about the gov’t intentions and I am sure more than one celebrity up there did it for only the good PR - but really, is there anything WRONG with endorsing more adoptions? Many of the pretentious, self-righteous rants posted here are self-defeating. So what are you saying, Korean culture needs to be completely restructured before Korea can even address issues like this? Is that possible? Culture evolves when people face their culture through issues like this — to accuse people of being NAIVE about Western adoption system compared to Asian adoption system while demanding a cultural revolution w/o basis is just as shockingly if not more so naive.
As for American/European orphanages being better than Asian ones - that is a fact. And this ad is taking Korea one step closer to realizing this issue and addressing it! By casting light on the plight of the overwhelming number of orphans in Korea, time will help people realize something needs to be done. And furthermore, yes Korea is a developING country. Korea is in about the SAME STAGE America and Europe was in when America and Europe starting paying attention to the forgotten people in their country (single mothers, orphans). Korea is simply going through the same economic, political, and cultural developments EVERY developing country goes through one way and or another.
Some people really need to 1.) Stop thinking an entire culture is at fault for their personal bias and miseries and 2.) BE the change themselves instead of pointing out flaws every which way. The only people getting hurt here are the orphans.
All the folk here who say they will adopt Korean orphans later, that’s fantastic! Hopefully, as Koreans start noticing there are so many Korean orphans the people and gov’t will be able to realize love conquers all - bloodline and race - and make it possible for loving single parents from overseas to adopt as well. I don’t think adoptions should be kept just w/in the motherland but I still don’t think that governmental intention negates anything from the positive message of this campaign.
Rarr
“What a generalization. It’d be easier for foreign parents to teach their culture instead to make an effort to learn another culture for their children. Only a few foreign families can try to inform their adopted kids about their true roots.”
You just said I’m generalizing but yet you seem to generalize foreign parents of being incapable of keeping their adopted children in touch with their culture. That a crap typical generalization that raises every time people oppose foreign adoption. What parent would stand in the way of their child wanted to learn about where they came from? I don’t know/or think many would. You seem to think it’s so hard for people to understand two cultures. What world do you live in? Does the internet not exist in the adopted world? Does travel not exist in the adopted world? Go visit any adoption forum or talk to any people with adopted children in ask if they aren’t fully willing to keep their adopted children in touch with both of their cultures.
“Uhh.. have you heard the news lately? There have been several rape cases in America too. And wtf for generalizing”
Are you f***ing kidding me? Are you this dumb? Did you not read the word “daily”?
How many American CHILDREN are beaten or raped or threaten to have battery acid thrown on them DAILY in America on their way to school or for wishing to attend school?
This has been covered by varies news sources as happening on a daily occurrence in underdeveloped countries. Your not only full of crap but you also appear to be very closed minded and shelter …all in all…stupid.
Mila go shoot yourself in your vagina or penis or whatever the hell you have.
awww the babies are so cute
does rain’s picture with the baby have anything to do with this? i think this is such a wonderful campaign…
There’s a severe case of hyperbole and miscommunication here - such as spouting unheard of statistics. Just because one spouts NUMERICAL shit doesn’t make it any more legit. Battery acid cases are documented in impoverished third world countries but to tell the truth, while Korean orphans are stigmatized, I don’t think I’ve read about such violent cases towards a Korean orphan yet. And if they have occurred, I certainly don’t think they are DAILY occurrences in Korea. If you meant to compare Western institutions to the rest of the world in general - it’d be wise to keep in mind this post is singularly about Korean orphans and Korea’s adoption system. I don’t know which people here are “sheltered,” but there is certainly an abundance of people are no more open mined or less full of crap than Rarr is accused of being.
***
And I reiterate while the idea of “keeping babies in Korea” is wholly pathetic, this photo campaign does no harm since it is encouraging people to adopt. Celebrities endorsing this and other issues in all counties are nothing new. Besides, isn’t it a good thing to have a pretty, well-known face on an ad? It catches eyes and allows the ad to linger longer in people’s minds. Celebrities hardly need to adopt themselves to endorse a cause - does this mean the only way to support a war is to go to the frontlines yourself? I agree most “Koreans do not care to adopt otherwise there would not be so many orphanages and orphans in Korea right now” but isn’t the point of this ad to change all that? It’s called progress and as a developing nation, one Korea must and is going through as we speak.
Well I’d rather be adopted by a foreigner than staying in an orphanage until I’m old enough to live by myself, but that’s just me, and I’m not completely aware of the situation in Asia, for I’m European, but anyway, I think the campaign still has a good point, trying to get the heart of the Korean population so that they decide to adopt more..
The pictures are amazingly pretty, I truly love them all ^^
Babies always have such an expressive body language..
adopting of korean babies has been going on since the end of the korean war - which was back in the 1950’s…a nice missionary man named Holt started it all…more than 50 years later and after hundreds of thousands of orphaned babies have been sent overseas for a better life only does the korean govt. do something now - so please excuse me for thinking that their intentions are a little suspect and non-genuine.
instead of barring foreigners from adopting, maybe the korean govt. could do more so that these young women do not feel the need to give up their babies…maybe if the root of the problem is addressed with real attempts to help these single mothers then maybe the issue of orphaned babies being sent overseas to be taken care of would not be a SORE black, embarassing mark on the korean govt.
i have come to terms with being adopted. i am proud to be an american and am also proud to be korean. i know if it wasn’t for me being adopted i would not be where i am. i also know if it wasn’t for some inherent genes and traits i have from being korean, i would not be who am i today. however, i still struggle with not being accepted in american society just as i am scolded and looked down upon for not speaking korean when encountering other koreans.
i can’t say growing up in america was better than growing up in korea because regardless of where i was raised i would have still had to deal with being adopted…so in america, i had to deal with being “different,” and in korea, I’m sure I would have had to deal with not being of real blood -what would have been the consequences of that? im sure my problems/issues would have been the same but dressed up in a different way.
but it’s a shame that the after all these years only now does the korean govt. attempt to right a wrong but whose wrong is it? certainly not all those parents all over the world who only want to provide a caring and loving home to unwanted babies…the only people who will be affected in this ridiculous campaign are the babies.
and for these celebritites to endorse this cause is just utter ignorance and stupidity. they have no clue that hundreds of thousands of orphaned babies were placed in very loving homes overseas for the past 50 years…and while during those past 50 years, my fellow koreans were too ashamed and had too much pride to open their hearts and minds to these babies…and now they pose and act like it is such a good cause…DISGUSTING!!!!
sf-
The ruckus is about them endorsing a system that stops other willing and loving foreigners from adopting Korean children. The campaign is about keeping children in Korea which is all good but it’s also discouraging outside adoptions and Korean laws do just this. No one is making this a pissing contest. No culture is perfect but some sure are better then others. The faults of Korea and a lot of Asian countries are known by all and are simply being pointed out. To say a big part of the problem doesn’t rest with Korean society values is a lie.
Theres a 50% chance for everything in life turning out good or bad. The difference rest with what else played into the outcome. Excuse me for just commonly thinking that a western developed country would have more resource & opportunities for those who are down or are in bad situations no matter what their age. The point that everyone seems to be missing is that I’m sure that this post isn’t filled with adopters but it probably is filled with a lot of people who see through shallow campaigns. The whole argument for people defending is it’s good that they are getting the word out for adoptions what’s wrong with that? Like I’ve said absolutely nothing. The problem rest with it being promoted & governed as an exclusive party.
No one is solely picking on Korean and it’s sad that’s all people are basing their counter attacks on. It’s about Asian society in general and some of the silly values that everybody here who’s Asian knows about. Yes some things need things need to be reevaluated. Does this mean a big overturn? If so then yes, maybe for once Korea should collectively hold the mirror up to it self instead of having to have the world point out it’s faults. Korea is not horrible but yes for the millionth time it’s not perfect. No country is, but for the given time we are taking about adopt and how it’s governed in Korea so i really don’t need to hear about other Countries “not being perfect either”. Since when do 2 wrong make a right anyone? Saying that Korea isn’t alone in it’s ways is a childish excuse to a problem that doesn’t do anything but try an avert the attention to someplace else. Finger pointing. Encouraging a culture & a society system that has been around to decades to evolve for the better is not being naive. Giving examples of other cultures farther drives the point home. Sitting here and with a close mind falling to see the true writing on the wall be it because your Korean yourself or because you’ve have a bad adopted life is shockingly NAIVE.
Korea is in no way casting a light on this issue in anyway with this campaign because as it has been said repeatedly they are still bypassing the whole reason for adopt. There is still the enforced underlining bloodline values that are driving this. Who needs to be told that in adoption the child’s well being should be top priority? Who needs to have this told to them? Honestly? We keep waiting for the ball to drop but still this issue hasn’t gotten through. It will happen, it will happen. When? I’m sick of hearing this over & over again while there are no steps proving to me that it will happen.
Do you really want to place Korea’s development to America around say..the 1950/60s? That’s absolutely sad and if this is the place where you think Korea is today then this issue and MANY other need to be address. With a country that has so much potential & so much backing developing, I would hardly put it on a even level scale with EVERY developing country
Once again this campaign should have been about Adoption for the better well being of the child, and yeah, it’s not and everyone knows why.
1.) A whole culture & it’s people are responsible for the values it enforces and choose to live by.
2.) Both can be helped. Korea can change and it will thus help the orphans. It doesn’t just need to be one gets help and the other gets left behind.
Kandy-
Very childish and sad that instead of giving a valid reason to oppose what I’ve said you say something like this? BRAVO!!
I like Kim Jung Eun’s picture the best. Very pretty, it looks like mother and child!
Oh wow I didn’t know the Korean govt was like that. All the babies are so chubby and kawaii… ^__^
im with pissed adoptee on this one. he/she makes a lot of strong points and has lived through it.
it breaks my heart to hear stories of adoptees really not fitting into one crowd or the other especially living in america, dealing with all the BS because he or she is different, add to that the parents not understanding the emotional, mental stress the adoptee goes through in schools and other social situations because the parents see it differently than the adoptee.
KJE has been involved in this charity for 5 years and annually she is posing for an exhibit with other invited stars, so i think the person who made a general statement as “you know most of these stars would never go near a baby in real life.” i hope you make research first. who knows these celebrities have nieces and nephews they take care also.
every year i look forward for this exhibit, which i wish i can go to, for the charity always have a unique theme which they send to the public…
over-all i love KJE’s pic not because she is my favorite actress, but because she always project the mother’s aura in every photo she posed with a baby.
I like JJH & Jang Hyuk pics. Nice shots!
I was pretty unclear about what I think should be a separation of this campaign’s intentions and the government’s intentions.
I’m well aware that the number of Korean adoptee children was one of the highest in the world; especially post-Korean War but if I recall this current “keeping” of Korean orphans is what I consider a poor response to the international criticism of Korea’s astronomically high international adoption rates due to the stigma mixed-race and pre-martially conceived children carried. Here is where I believe the difference lies. The government, I am sure, is more concerned about it’s international face, which is why they took the unwise action of actually limiting international adoptions as a quick “cure” for the high adoption rates. But while the “Letter from the angels No. 5″ campaign may stem from that mis-guided policy – it is clear that this particular ad campaign’s FOCUS is to encourage adoption within Korean society, outside familial bloodlines, which I think is commendable. This 2005 campaign IS addressing the societal issue of bloodlines. The government’s policies may be far from well-intentioned but this “Letter to Angels” campaign, I believe, encourages the right sort mind set. I don’t feel like this “Letter” campaign is focusing on preventing international adoptions as it is simply encouraging in-country adoptions.
I guess this is where you and I disagree as you stated you believe that this Letters campaign and the gov’t’s campaign is one and the same…. I don’t know if this Letters campaign is funded by the government….but I guess what I want to say is this particular Letters campaign is one I feel is not trying to discourage outside adoptions.
Now onto the flawed adoption system: I completely concur with your suspicions of government intentions. Like I said I think their response was one intended only to quickly lower said-criticized adoption rates. And I certainly agree Korea and Asia in general, has a less than healthy obsession with bloodlines and that is a problem. This is where I do think this “Letters” campaign is doing a lot of good; it’s encouraging outside familial bloodline adoptions. This is addressing one of the root problems of WHY Korea’s international adoption rates were so high. As this Letters campaign (hopefully) pushes Korean society in the right direction – it will ultimately allow Koreans to see that blood does not matter. That understanding in turn is one step closer to realizing race does not matter either and ease international adoption policies. I wasn’t trying to say Korean society is free from blame – but I think Korean society can only correct its faults by facing said issues by taking one step at a time in the right direction. I just really don’t see how this photoshoot detracts from that. To ever get Korea to wholly embrace international adoptions w/o the fear of being accused of not protecting their own – FIRST Koreans must come to terms with accepting that adopting outside their own bloodline is fine. And this campaign does that.
To restate: I think this particular “letters” campaign will do a lot of good encouraging societal development. I do not think the focus of this “Letters” campaign and government’s goals are the same. Perhaps related but the focus is completely different. The Korean government solely wants to avoid criticism and lower international adoption rates. This ad wants simply to encourage in-country adoptions. The gvmt wants a quick fix to avoid criticism, this ad seeks to address the root problem of familial bloodlines.
I really hope I didn’t sound like I was trying to say other countries weren’t perfect so it was okay for Korea not be – b/c I would never try to say that. What I was trying to say was there is a separation b/w this photoshoot and government policy. The government’s policy is flawed, I don’t think the photoshoot’s intentions are.
I think both of us are in agreement that the evolution of Korean society is possible and by all means ought be encouraged. I guess difference b/w us is that I think this “Letters” campaign is encouraging societal development and you think it’s not, is that correct? I don’t think I’m sitting “here and with a close mind falling to see the true writing on the wall” – and I hope haven’t given that impression. I simply think this campaign is to be commended not shunned simply b/c it shares a similarity to a flawed government policy.
Furthermore, I think this campaign is not at all “bypassing the reason to adopt.” It’s quite unsaid and understood that the real reason most Koreans don’t adopt is b/c bloodline and the stigma of wedlock or mixed race children. I don’t think an ad has to put that in writing. Through pictures, unless all these babies are related to the celebrities one way or another, this ad is encouraging OUT of bloodline adoptions aka adopting for reasons other than blood. And noting the loving poses of celebrities, it’s clear that the reason encouraged is simply love and affection. Isn’t that addressing the real reason to adopt? Love and affection, the things that make the adopted child’s well-being an unquestioned result? I do think Letters campaign is for the better of the child and it’s vague relation to Korea’s misguided international policies doesn’t change that.
And I do place Korea’s development quite behind America’s simply b/c there were a lot of things that went on in Korea w/in the last few decades. Korea had a war on it’s own soil, one that enveloped the entire country, and resulted in its division. And sadly, the Korean War continues to this day with no treaty or unification in sight. I don’t think that’s a trauma many other Western countries can say they went through recently. I don’t think Korea is at the rock bottom either – you’re quite right to say Korea “so much potential & so much backing developing, I would hardly put it on a even level scale with EVERY developing country” but I think the fact remains Korea has particular problems that many other developing countries don’t have simply as a circumstance of it’s war-torn history. But just because I think Korea is still developmentally behind America doesn’t mean I think any less of it nor do I think Korea is “left behind” anywhere. Korea flying quickly ahead into a bright future, it just simply got a late start and ran into a lot more particular problems on the way.
“It’s people [who] are responsible for the values it enforces and choose to live by.” Again, I say the “Letters” campaign is addressing the pressing problem of bloodline emphasis. Maybe this ad didn’t intend to do so but when I look at these pictures, when any average, magazine flipping Korean sees these pictures, I think what they’re going to see is the possibility of adopting non-bloodline related child as their own. Not a “omg I’m gonna save this kiddie from evil foreigners by adopting it.” I believe just as much as you do that “Korea can change” and this ad is a step in the right direction.
[I really do write too much so this will be last post on the subject ^_^ it was fun talking to you]
I good debate is always fun, but Jesus, that’s just too much. lol
I skimmed it though and I can honestly say that I think our views for the most part are very similar on this issue. Where we do disagree though….well..it’s just so. I really don’t want to write a book right now. lol. But yes, it was fun discussing this with you as well.
awww..Rain was promoting this last year. now it’s Wonder Girls
As a Korean adoptee raised in America, I can only see upsides to adoptions abroad.
If adoption to Americans was not open when I was a baby, who knows how long I would have waited for a family. I was also born with a cleft lip and palate, which probably would have made my wait even longer, maybe I’d still be waiting right now. I am so lucky to have been raised with the family that adopted me, and truly consider them my “real” family, despite their race.
As far as the cultural side goes, me and a few Korean adopted friends of mine have had no problem finding sources in order to learn about Korea. We are attending a local Korean school and are learning the language and are almost set to go to Korea this summer. We have attended a Korean culture camp every summer since we were nearly infants. Our parents, in turn, have learned to cook Korean food, taken Korean classes themselves, and have spent time money and effort in aiding us to learn more about our heritage.
Korean adults we have met have been nothing but supportive and helpful. They do everything they can to make us feel at home. I do not feel alienated at all.
While there are Koreans in the older generation who may shun us for not being “true Koreans”, I honestly couldn’t care less. Nothing they say can take away my heritage. And nothing they say can make me ashamed of the family that raised me. I am eternally grateful for them.
Overall, like many people on this topic have said, I believe that regarding adoption, the most important thing is that the child is received by a supportive and loving family, whether in America or in Korea. I do not believe race/ethnicity has anything to do with a family’s capibility of raising a child knowing about their heritage.
wahhhh
YEH is drop dead gorgeous in that pic ^^
n kje’s beautiful too a very swt motherly pic XD
y does jjh look sad? ><
wondergirls..argh teenybopper moms…@_@
oh!!! akoreanadoptee it feels so good to read your post! really glad that you have found a true family.
i agree with you. race/ethnicity has nothing to do with a family’s capability of raising a child. what’s important is the intention and the willingness of the family to raise the child and treat him/her as their own.
lol
some of these comments are like essays…
i personally don’t see anything wrong with this campaigne. they arn’t discouraging foreign adoption, they’re encouraging adoptions within the country and change some negative perspectives. and isnt that what matters?
I agree with the PISSED ADOPTEE post. I was adopted from Korea as an infant and was raised in America. My childhood was pretty much as great as one can be, and I grew up with loving parents, a great sister, amazing friends, and great opportunities. This issue has NOTHING to do with the financial stability of Korea…it has everything to do with Koreans being so obsessed with bloodline that adoption is pretty much out of the question for most. People keep giving it flack here because it’s *true*. Taking someone’s “unwanted” extras isn’t something that Korans particularly are thrilled to indulge in. It’s disappointing but true.
My parents raised me as an American because I became an American citizen when I was brought here. Where I lived, there were not many Asians at all, so being involved with an Asian community was pretty much impossible. But they did push me to attend Korean culture camp with some of my adopted friends, and they always made it clear to me that if I wanted to visit or learn more about Korea, I just had to say so and they would be in full support. So that’s why I am here in Korea now, teaching English. Honestly, I would rather have been raised in America with my adopted parents than raised in Korea with Korean parents. That’s just my view. I know I couldn’t have had parents that love me anymore than the ones I was lucky enough to be blessed with.
To those saying “it’s important to know their culture and heritage”, I can obviously understand somewhat what you’re saying, but most of you are NOT adopted, so you really don’t have that much room to speak. My adopted parents are Irish and Italian American, so I was raised that way. I lived off pasta and and would love a good gnocci over galbi any day. Many adopted parents want to raise their children with the idea that their kids KNOW they are part of the family. By constantly pushing the “homeland” deal, it’s almost like you’re driving this wedge in between the child and their parents. “You’re different–you have to celebrate different things than us. This is not your homeland, even though it’s all you’ve ever known. This is not your motherland.” It would be cruel and unnecessary.
On an ending note, I’m going to adopt from Korea when I’m ready to be a mother and I’m going to raise them in the US.
if anyone is interested read “I wish for you a Beautiful Life,” it’s a collection of letters from mothers who are giving up their babies…I like to think one of the those letters was written to me…and now if my birth mother knew how I turned out, she would be very proud and happy. And if I could I would thank her.
For the Korean govt. to restrict or try to ban foreign adoptions is just as much a travesty as it is for a woman who has no choice but to give up her child. so many adopted kids have turned out to be happy, successful, fulfilled…why take that opportunity away from them? For national pride? to save face?
as while i think it’s great to encourage korean to adopt other koreans, i don’t think that will happen considering how many korean children have been sent overseas for the past 50 years.
usually it takes several generations for change, and while i can appreciate the effort, talking about it and doing it are not the same things. i’d like to know what the numbers are since this campaign launched…how many koreans adopted other koreans vs. foreigners. talk the talk, now walk the walk.
aww… so cute! where’s the pic of lee seung gi?
wow this is a big subject to debate over.
but agreed.
it really shouldn’t matter if a child is adopted within their own country or foreign.
if the korean government does succeed in passing this idea i think it will only isolate the country from others.
to me it’s kinda like racism.
YEH ’s baby - 0.o …
Jang Hyuk and Han Hye Jin pics are the best.
You know, you can be very witty when it comes to humour, but I think you’re lacking obvious brain power. Who the hell cares where the kids go? As long as families adopt them so they have a family, who cares where the child comes from or goes to? You’ve come up with some really dumb stupidities in the past, but this surpasses much of them. Obviously, you get sold on publicity easy and can’t have your own thoughts. This newsfeed? Entertaining. But don’t surpass yourself. You’re as stupid as the next bint who just doesn’t seem to grasps the whole picture. Stick to trying to decide which dress looks better on which star. You’re “agreement” to this “star move” is revolting. Because kids will just wait until Korean people decide to adopt them instead of having the rest of the world trying to help them.
D00M, take a chill pill. if you don’t like popseoul, just don’t read it. (And if you say you do like reading it, your words surely don’t give off that vibe..)
As for the campaign itself, kind gesture, but futile. Instead of doing photoshoots promoting in-country adoptions, they should promote more pressing issues, like helping the impoverished, or the physically/mentally retarded, or their kindred up north. And who cares where the kids go.. we’re living in the 21st century. This is an increasingly interdependent world.
I honestly think that slow progression of culture is because these Asian countries are very homogenous. In America there’s a lot of diversity; a lot of different people advocate a lot of different things. Those who have more support get their issues dealt with. It probably sounds stupid to a lot of people, but it’s true that in other developing, largely homogenous nations, there isn’t a large degree of social acceptance of certain ways of living or way people are, although the issues that are shunned by the public are different in different areas.
i have a white friend who her and her husband adopted a chinese and a vietnamese baby as they can’t have any of their own. They have been to China and Vietnam 2 different times and is constantly teaching them about their culture. Yes they are Americans but they had love in their heart for a child. Didn’t matter what nationality but a child. One they could love and teach right from wrong. I don’t understand how people can see that as wrong.
On the other hand, I think it is awful that someone puts down a single mom and a child.
When will the world get it right?
Awwww, the babies are so cute!
And I think this is a wonderful way to campaign. And I never knew many Korean babies were being internationally adopted…well, I hope that lessens now.
Let me get things clear. I think that no matter how superficial the government’s intentions are of promoting adoptions within Korea, it’s a start.
And right now, that’s what this country needs- even if it takes celebrities and pictures with cute babies to create awareness, then so be it. Think about the flip side. If only pictures were taken of the babies, then unfortunately, only a few people would care. If Joo Ji-hoon and his sad eyes can help create more awareness and even help people consider adoption as an alternative, then I am all for it.
Also, I am not sure if you are aware, but people in Korea are slowly warming up to the idea of adoption. Change will not occur overnight, but it is happening. We just need to be patient.
As Kristina stated above, the government is not discouraging foreign adoption but encouraging domestic ones. Do not make assumptions that are not there.
The last point I want to make is - (and yes, I am taking out the race card) you do not see white babies getting adopted by Asian families or black families. And what about Japan? You do not see Japanese kids being sent abroad to foreign countries? Why is that?
popseoul-
Once again if you & anyone else wants to ignore the underline problem of Korean adoption then well, eat that beautiful story up.
The excuse that Korea is heading in a new direct so lets give them a cookie. That bs. I keep hearing that Korean society is changing but if the society was changing as everyone likes to point out then this issue wouldn’t be on the table. How long will it take for Korea to move out of the “American 50s”?
Please read up on Korean adoption polices before preaching gossip. I say it’s far from making an assumption when one can read up on this issue and find out the general facts about Korean adoption themselves.
I see no point to you pointing out that Asians & Blacks don’t adopted out of their race. I was under the impress from my understanding that these 2 group weren’t much for adoption of those of their own race, so your point is? A group that doesn’t adopt doesn’t adopt. It has nothing to do with race.
READ!! I have personally said atleast twice that this is an Asian culture issue with regards to Asian Society and Asian values. It’s not simply Korea but from the post that YOU made I was under the impression that we were talking about KOREA. Did i get this wrong?
This lame defending by say “…they don’t do it either” is very elementary. Once again, repeat: 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Finger pointing to divert the attention from the issue at hand gets absolutely nothing done.
oh my GOD,,,seems JOO Ji Hoon socute with the balck-white effect,,,joo ji hoon,,u can adopt me if u want,,,
hahhaha,,,,
nice pic n expression i think,,,
goo job JOo Ji hoon,,,
er pic express that u r really take this(whta’s i called,,campaign maybe?)campaign seriously…
always support u ,,,hehheheh]]
srang hamnida joo ji hoon
If aesthetics work, which I highly doubt. That putting a celebrity face next to a child that was unwanted will persuade people to open their hearts and adopt a child. It’s basically taking the Korean public for a fool by subliminally saying that “if so and so endorses adoption it will be popular and people will want to adopt”. It totally sends the wrong message. Adoption isn’t a trend, it affects lives. Asking a celebrity to help send the message was a start, but it wasn’t executed properly in my opinion. It’s a start, but it will take great change to move peoples heart.
I can be 50/50 on this subject. I agree that it doesn’t matter where the person is from, just as long as the child goes to a loving home. I can agree to the saying that “if you want to make change the world, start at home”. Starting from home gives you a base, so you’ll know what you’ll need to do and how you can make a better bigger change.
Ultimately it’s all about the children, so any better opportunity for them is better than no at all. Which we can all agree here? Putting anyones race aside.
oh my GOD ,,,seems that joo ji hoon is suitable in thw black-whiote effect,,,more hondsome than i thought,,,
joo ji hoon u can adopt me if u want
hahahhahaha
v['-']v
ur expression in the pic is showing ur seriousness in the campaign,,becoz u r the only one that doesn’t smile,,,,
always suppport u joo ji hoon
come to indonesia plis,,,,
want to meet u badly
saranghamnida joo ji hoon
Mila,
I am not diverting attention but simply providing an example of what other ethnic groups are doing or not doing regarding adoptions.
In regards to your question on how long it will take for Korea to change - you provided your own answer. If we are living in the “American 50’s, as you suggested, then that change will take generations.
So coming back to my point, change needs to start somewhere….
and if one more child can find a happy and loving home in Korea from this celebrity-driven campaign, then all the better.
Ironic how Korea doesn’t want so many of their orphans to go to foreigners but they use ENGLISH in the ad campaign to get this point across. Makes no sense.
Personally, I think some of this is the growing wave of anti-Americanism in South Korea. It’s a fact that the vast amount of Korean adoptions have gone to the U.S. Maybe the Korean government is starting to think that it looks like Americans are more capable of raising Korean children than Koreans themselves are. Many Koreans want the U.S. military presence out of South Korea. There are also many Koreans who want Korea to stop relying on U.S. imports and support Korean-made products instead. The Koreans are historically some of the most self-sufficient people on the planet, which is one of the things I admire about them. Maybe this adoption campaign is just one more way they are trying to send the message “we can do it ourselves, we don’t need American help”. That’s my personal theory.
Popseoul, the FACT is that Black Families and Asian Families are not the ideal to adopt white babies. Adoption agencies discouraged them unless the Families are White themselves but they don’t mind giving Black babies or Asian babies to White families. So what exactly is your point?
Ooh … koochie, koochie ….! How adorable! Babies are my favorite little people!
I don’t wanna get too involved in the politics side of this campaign. I personally think the option of overseas adoption should be kept open provided they ensure the process is strict & thorough- you want to give the child the best possible opportunity to enter the best possible family for them. I know of a Korean girl who was adopted by Australian parents & she’s turned out fine.
Perhaps it would be better for the government to look at reducing the number of orphans. I don’t know exactly how many orphans are attributed to single mothers, but perhaps more support & funding for single parents or struggling families could be something they looked at.
Dang, & all I wanted to say was that Ju Ji Hoon can adopt me any day lol Jang Hyuk, too =)
“As Kristina stated above, the government is not discouraging foreign adoption but encouraging domestic ones. Do not make assumptions that are not there. ”
Personally for me, I didn’t think it was very clear what the Korean gov’t’s intentions were, based on what was posted above.
“Stars want adoptions to stay in Korea”
“Now, the Korean government is campaigning to keep adoptions within the motherland.”
After reading that, I was led to believe that they were trying to put a limit on adoption abroad.
“The “Letter from the angels No. 5″ campaign started in 2003 to encourage adoptions within the country.”
That statement made it seem, like you said, that they were simply encouraging adoption within Korea.
Adoption is an incredibly sensitive area for some people. As far as I can see, a lot of people who are posting don’t know what the process is all about. I notice a lot of them making generalizations about adoptees as well. It is easy for people, like me or others, who feel strongly about this topic to go off on tangents.
So after what I posted earlier, I apologize if I misinterpreted the article. But I don’t think you can get mad at people who are passionately defending adoption abroad, because it is easy to interpret dicouragement of adoption abroad as the Korean government’s aim based on the statements above.
I definitely support…..
Adoptions….!!
N all those babies are Cute….!!
N undeniably Joo Ji Hoon looks really good in that pics….!!
I think korean gov’t use young celebrities t