12 Comments
User's avatar
edward's avatar

Thank you for Your writing. I wish that we could jail the current leadership in the U.S.

This is not a great America. Here in the middle of Mississippi online is the only place to

hear a reasonable voice.

Dr. Jiwon Yoon's avatar

Thank you for reading and for saying this so plainly. It means a lot, especially knowing you’re writing from the middle of Mississippi. Sending care and solidarity from my little corner of Washington 🙏❤️

Ji Eun (Jamie) Lee's avatar

Yes, this. Political chaos finds its way into our bodies. I was just meditating on the resilience of my Korean ancestors. The ones written about in Han Kang’s novels. The ones who survived disasters, invasions, colonization and civil wars. The ones who made it through because they did one small life sustaining thing one step at a time. Thank you for this blog. Thank you for surviving. May we receive our ancestors’ blessings. 🙏

Dr. Jiwon Yoon's avatar

Thank you for resonating so deeply with this. Your words about our ancestors hit so deeply — those quiet, stubborn survivors. They remind me that resilience isn't always loud resistance; sometimes it's just breathing through the next hour, the next step.

And thank you for the blessing. I felt it. May we all receive our ancestors’ strength and blessings 🙏

조인숙's avatar

네, 맛있는 것 먹고, 밖에 나가는 것도 좋죠. 숨 쉬는 것도 좋아요. 다 맞습니다. 잘 읽었습니다. 사적인 얘기를 공유해 주셔서 감사합니다.

Dr. Jiwon Yoon's avatar

저야말로 이렇게 읽어주시고 공감해주셔서 감사해요! 갑자기 맛있는게 먹고싶어지네요 🤩

Sherri Hope Culver's avatar

Jiwon, it has been so long since we have spoken. But reading this made me realize that at least parts of what you’ve written happened while you were in Philadelphia. Just reaching out with a hug. I am teaching in Tokyo this semester and that’s made me think about your life through

a different lens. Especially since I am hoping to visit Korea while I am here. Sending lots of love.

Dr. Jiwon Yoon's avatar

Sherri, it means so much to hear from you. Thank you for taking the time to read and leave such a kind note.

I don’t know if you remember this, but once we were flying back from a conference and ended up sitting next to each other.

At the time, I had already decided I would not have a child, and I remember telling you that.

And you said something I’ve carried with me ever since: that one of the reasons we live is love, and that through a child we can experience the deepest kind of love.

Now that I’m raising my daughter, your words come back to me often. I’m living a kind of love I had never known before.

I hope Tokyo is treating you well, and I hope you have a beautiful trip if you make it to Korea while you’re there. Your students in Japan are truly lucky to learn from you.

Sending lots of love back❤️

Yuni Jung's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing, and I am so sorry to hear that. But I wanted someone to say something, and you finally did!!

Dr. Jiwon Yoon's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind, warm words🙏 It was not an easy piece to write, but knowing that you were waiting for someone to say something makes every bit of that vulnerability feel worthwhile. We truly are in this together, and your support gives me the strength to keep sharing ❤️

Kelsey's avatar

Thank you for your courage to write this Jiwon. I'm so glad it showed up on my feed - it was very soulfully nurturing to read.

Dr. Jiwon Yoon's avatar

Thank you so much for reading with such warmth and leaving this beautiful comment 🙏 Your words feel like soulful nurturing right back to me. Grateful for you❤️