Introduction: A Forgotten Past
In the heart of Seoul’s neon-lit streets, Priya Malhotra walks with purpose—not as a tourist, but as a woman searching for the childhood she never knew. Born in South Korea and adopted by an Indian family at age three, Priya’s journey to reclaim her past is a powerful narrative of identity, loss, and hope.
A Childhood Lost in Translation
Priya grew up in Mumbai, loved by her adoptive parents but always aware of her differences. “People asked where I was from, and I’d say India,” she says. “But I knew there was more.” Her adoption papers offered little: no family names, no medical history—just the word “abandoned.”
For years, she buried her questions, not wanting to hurt her parents. But after their passing in 2020, she resolved to find answers.
The Search Begins: Facing South Korea’s Adoption System
Priya joined the ranks of over 200,000 South Korean adoptees sent abroad since the 1950s. Many, like her, face incomplete records and systemic opacity. With only an adoption number, she turned to 325 KAS, a nonprofit aiding adoptees. DNA tests and archive searches became her lifelines. “Every clue felt like a miracle,” she admits.
A Breakthrough: Uncovering “Kim Ji-eun”
After months of dead ends, Priya discovered her original name—Kim Ji-eun—and a lead in Daegu. Volunteers helped her navigate bureaucracy, leading her to a hanok (traditional house), now a café. “I don’t know if my family lived here,” she says, “but the air felt familiar.”
The Emotional Toll of the Adoption Paradox
Priya’s story reflects a universal adoptee struggle: loving one family while grieving another. Though she hasn’t found her birth parents, she’s reconnected with her heritage—learning Korean, tasting kimchi jjigae, and bonding with fellow adoptees. “I’m not alone,” she realizes.
A Call for Change: South Korea’s Adoption Reforms
Her journey has spotlighted flaws in South Korea’s adoption system. Advocates demand better record-keeping and adoptee rights, while social media amplifies her story with #FindMyRoots. “This isn’t just about me,” Priya stresses. “It’s about truth for every adoptee.”
What’s Next?
Priya will stay in South Korea, documenting her search and supporting adoptee networks. “Even if I never find them,” she says, “I’ve found myself.” Her story reminds us that identity is a mosaic—built from courage and the pieces we reclaim.
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