The Road We Walk On

119 | Her Story

432 Park Avenue, New York

After Yoo Jung said those words, it occured to everyone in the room that they did not know much about Yoo Jung. Even though they had been friends for about 4 months or more, Yoo Jung didn't often talk about herself or share much about her life. The friends were curious who exactly was Yoo Jung. Yoo Jung was a really sweet girl, she often always asked after the others. Making sure they were alright as opposed to talking about herself.

I am adopted. When Yoo Jung said those words, no one said a thing. In Korean society, it was not common to talk about adoption. It was not viewed as a bad thing, but it was something that often was not spoken off. The fact that Yoo Jung chose to share this was huge.

I don't know my birth parents, and I have no intentions of finding out. My parents adopted me when I was about 4. To be honest, before that I don't have many memories. I do remember a bit of the orphanage  in which I came from but other than that I don't remember much. I have visited the orphanage since, but I have to admit that the place doesn't hold any significant memories for me.

Yoo Jung continued, seeing no one was interrupting her. My parents were unable to have children for a number of years, after many times trying for a child. My parents decided that instead of risking it and spending more money on expensive medical methods, they decided to adopt. That's where they found me. My parents are lovely people, despite not being off their blood. They have never treated me any different. In fact for some time, I never knew I was adopted. My parents finally told me when I was about 14.

I have to admit that at that time, it was really difficult for me to understand the concept of being adopted. But I will admit, it was a struggle nonetheless. To know that, your real parents abandoned you, was something very hard to grasp. I often found myself questioning why they did that. Did they not love me? Why did they abandon their own child? Even now, it is a question that I cannot answer. But when I look at my parents and see the love they have for me, I don't feel abandoned anymore. I am grateful that my parents saved me and gave me a home.

Also, my father is actually a rather rich and influential man in Korea. One of the reasons why I hardly talk about my family is because I never want to be judged for being, you know, rich. I don't want people approaching me just because I have a rich father. But after hearing So Hyun, Seokhoon and Rona share their history and lives, I feel more comfortable sharing mine with all of you. I know that all of you never approached me in order to gain something from me, so I trust you all.

Thank you for sharing Yoo Jung. I can imagine that it must not have been easy. Think about it this way, we too are grateful that your parents adopted you, if they hadn't we all would never have met, and we wouldn't be good friends, in Juillard chasing our dreams together. Yoo Jung felt tears in her eyes and reached over to hug Rona. Rona hugged her tightly back and the girls especially all came together and grouped hugged. The men just sat there for a while looking, until Stephanie and Rona pulled the boys together with them and a huge group hug cradled Yoo Jung.

The night was getting deeper and the last person who decided to share was Ryo. Ryo more or less shared the same thing that he did with Seokhoon. After he had shared, Yoo Jung reached over and took Ryo's hands into hers. Upon closer inspection she could see that his skin was not all smooth, that there were scars. Seeing it, Yoo Jung and Stephanie started to tear, they felt Ryo's pain. Ryo was a bit taken aback at the two girls crying, he was not quite sure how to respond or what to do. In the end, he just sat there stiffly as the two girls hugged him while crying.

I am sorry for what you went through Ryo. I don't know what to say. George and Seungho were especially stunned by his past; they had not expected Ryo to have gone through such hardship. Neither of them could imagine not being able to play the piano or having their passion taken away forcefully by someone that was meant to protect and look after them. You don't have to say anything guys, as you see my hands just see them as scars. They show you what I have gone through, but they don't dictate where I am going. I have found a passion in singing, and I am blessed to have gotten into Juilliard and meet everyone here.

The girls were all moved by this and jumped onto Ryo hugging him. Ryo was like a cold fish, stiff and motionless as the girls hugged him. The time was soo becoming late, and after a load of sharing, everynone began to head home. Thank you all for being so willing to share your deepest historys or secrets, I am really grateful to be given the permission to hear and learn. I feel this has strengthened our bond right! Stephanie ended the night by saying these encouraging words. Everyone smiled and nodded, and after helping Rona and Seokhoon clean up the remaining dishes, they began to depart from their condo.