Interviewee: Sonia Kim Chon
Interviewer: Nathaniel Alexander Chon
Synopsis
The interviewee is Sonia Kim Chon, born February 20, 1963, in Seoul, South Korea. She currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her husband, brother, and dog. Much of her time is devoted to pottery.
Sonia outlines her experiences growing up in South Korea, before immigrating to the United States where she, her brother, and her parents settled in Saint Gabriel, California. Along with that experience, she discussed her own assimilation into American society, her self-identity as an American while acknowledging her heritage, her parents’ trials through life, and the lessons that her parents passed onto her. Specifically, she describes the life of her father, who passed on early, and how his teachings of “play” taught her to enjoy life.
There are many keywords that define the content of the interview: immigration, family, trauma, escape, enjoyment, assimilation, identity, religion, community, loss, and opportunity.
I knew my interviewee because she is my mother, who has her own experiences of immigration and life as a first generation Korean American. The interview was conducted in person at Colby College on October 27th, 2023.
This interview was conducted by Nathaniel “Nano” Alexander Chon. I am a second-generation Korean-American, who is a sophomore at Colby College and majors in Economics and Environmental Science.
Interviewee Biography
My mother, Sonia Kim Chon, is a 60-year-old South Korean immigrant who is married and currently resides in Orlando, Florida. She has one living brother, nicknamed, “Uncle Frankie.” In this interview, she discusses her experience of immigration to California, U.S.A., at the age of 7-years-old. Themes covered are religion, racism, inspiration. The stories discussed range from the nature of her identity as an American, as well as harrowing stories from her father’s past, including escape from North Korea across the 38th parallel. From her parent’s lives as war orphans and other trauma endured, my mother has gained an outlook on life of valuing and enjoying every day: remembering to smile and always have joy. Though she was born in Seoul, South Korea, she takes pride in her life as an American, and discusses the differences within Korean communities in the United States.