Global Voices Season 7 Episode 2 In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee

Global Voices is a documentary television series that uncovers stories of fascinating people from all corners of the world. In season 7, episode 2, viewers follow the life of a Korean woman named Cha Jung Hee, who after being adopted as a child, had to give up her identity and assume a new name.

In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee, reveals the complex and heart-wrenching story of Cha Jung Hee, who, after being sent to America for adoption, assumed a new identity and lost her sense of self. The episode aims to shed light on the practice of international adoptions in Korea in the 1960s, which separated countless children from their families and culture.

The episode begins with Grace Kim, a South Korean adoptee who grew up in America, recounting her experience returning to South Korea to reconnect with her birth mother. Despite seeing similarities between herself and her mother, she can't shake the feeling that her identity is incomplete and wonders about her original name, family, and culture.

The story then shifts to Cha Jung Hee, who like Grace Kim, was adopted and raised in America. Cha Jung Hee's adoptive parents saw a picture of her and her siblings, who had been placed in an orphanage after their mother died, and decided to adopt her. But, at the orphanage, Cha's name was mistakenly swapped with her sister's, which led to her receiving a new identity in the United States.

Cha Jung Hee recounts how this identity switch left her feeling disoriented and that she struggled with her new name and identity for a long time. The documentary highlights how traumatic identity loss can be for adoptees and how it affects their sense of belonging and identity formation.

Cha Jung Hee's story is then shown in greater depth when she returns to South Korea after 44 years to search for her family and her original identity. She is accompanied by a team of researchers who locate her siblings and her family name, Park. However, when Cha meets her family, she struggles to connect with them as she does not speak Korean and only speaks English. Furthermore, Cha is confronted with the possibility that she is not Cha Jung Hee, as the Park family does not recognize the name.

The episode also explores the practice of international adoptions in Korea in the 1960s. It shows how an entire generation of Korean children was separated from their families, culture, and language, and were sent abroad to be raised by families who often did not look like them. The documentary speaks to experts, who explain that the Korean war, political instability, and economic poverty led to the creation of an adoption industry that placed profit above the welfare of children.

In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee, is a deeply personal exploration of identity, family, and adoption practices that have left scars on generations of Korean adoptees. The episode highlights the trauma of identity loss and the devastating results of children being separated from their families and culture. It also raises the question of whether international adoption practices have improved since the 1960s in Korea and around the world. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in adoption practices and the effects they have on children.