ALUMNI

Madeline Chun (전나영) is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania and a 2023 graduate of The Hockaday School.

“Many pieces of cultural heritage exist solely in memory: language, song, dance, stories. Without preservation and care for Korean traditions, these pieces are lost in the gaps between generations. To me, the core of KAYAT’s mission is to bridge these gaps, whether between my ancestors and descendants, my Korean and American cultures, or ancient times and the modern age. Through these bridges, I hope to ensure the legacy of Korean culture and recognize how this legacy informs my identity as a Korean American.“

Jocelyn Youn (윤상희) is an undergraduate at Rice University and a 2023 graduate of Trinity Christian Academy.

“Growing up in America, I knew next to nothing about Korean culture; intrinsically, I always felt like there was something missing in my life: a connection to the history of my family and a knowledge of the culture I come from. In co-founding KAYAT, I hoped to help bridge this disconnect between Korean Americans and their heritage by introducing them to the beauty of Korean art and culture, extending to them a way to immerse themselves in Korea, the way they had not been able to before. In doing so, we hope to ensure the preservation and continuation of the spread of Korean culture in America for generations to come.”

Molly Youn (윤상원) is a senior at Trinity Christian Academy. She is a third-generation Korean American.

“Born a Korean American, I struggled constantly with finding my identity and being proud of my cultural heritage. I used to be ashamed of being Korean, as I looked very different from those around me. In school I felt trapped in a limbo—not fully embracing my Korean side, but not white either, although I tried to act like it. Through KAYAT, I found pride in Korean culture. As we learned about different art forms, I became exposed to a whole new side of Korean culture, and I have found beauty in its expansive variety of arts.”

Alex Kim (김민겸) is a senior at Trinity Christian Academy. He is a second-generation Korean American.

“Preservation of Korean culture is important to me because it’s part of my heritage and who I am. I feel like I, alongside other Korean Americans, have the right to know where I came from and to experience the traditional arts that are precious because many forget the importance of Korea’s cultural heritage.”

Kaylee Son (손유미) is a senior at Highland Park High School. She is a third-generation Korean American.

“KAYAT is important to me because I not only get to learn about parts of Korea’s rich history, but also express an important aspect of my identity. In a country different from one’s ethnicity, I feel like it’s often easy to completely assimilate and neglect one’s heritage. So, I see KAYAT as a way of keeping in touch with that heritage while actually using some assimilating factors to an advantage (EX: knowledge of language, connection to people) as a way to facilitate the spread and awareness of Korean culture to others.”