THIS MONTH IN THE KOREAN ADOPTEE COMMUNITY - Aug 2025
The Taegeukgi signed by the Korean Liberation Army
By Jon Oaks
광복절 - Gwangbokjeol
For many Korean adoptees, Korean Liberation Day (광복절, Gwangbokjeol) on August 15 is more than a historical commemoration. It serves as a powerful reminder to reflect on personal identity, ancestry, and what freedom means within the context of adoption. While the day marks Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, it also offers adoptees an opportunity to reclaim parts of their heritage and consider how that history has shaped their own stories.
If you are looking for ways to engage with the holiday, consider taking a moment to read more about its history through this overview on Gwangbokjeol from Adventure Korea. You might also revisit the Korean national anthem, explore stories from other adoptees who have spent Liberation Day in Korea, or journal about what "liberation" means to you personally. Some adoptees may also choose to attend or organize community gatherings, screen a Korean film, or simply check in with others in the adoptee community.
Video Screenings in Seoul –
You're Invited
A still from Si j’avais quatre mères (If I Had Four Mothers) by Mirae kh RHEE
In addition to Liberation Day, August also features events that highlight adoptee voices within Korean cultural spaces. One such event is the Seoul International ALT Cinema & Media Art Festival (NeMAF), held August 7–13 in Seoul. Interdisciplinary artist Mirae kh RHEE, a Korean adoptee, will present two video works as part of the festival’s programming. Missing 놓침 (NOH-CHIM) (2005) is a raw, performative video reflecting on transnational adoption, language, and loss, while Si j’avais quatre mères (If I Had Four Mothers) (2025) is a newly commissioned poetic essay-film exploring fractured origins and the archive. Together, these pieces—created twenty years apart—form a constellation of memory and longing. NeMAF is known for showcasing experimental art and media that challenge mainstream narratives, making it a powerful venue for adoptees engaging with identity, history, and representation through art.
Upcoming Events and Opportunities in the Adoptee Community
Whether you are near or far, there are several events and opportunities to stay connected coming up this fall and into next year.
Bay to LA, hosted by AKASF, is a community-centered social weekend for adoptees taking place September 12–13 in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Programming includes meals, social gatherings, and local exploration, bringing together adoptees from across California, including San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and beyond.
In Chicago, Korean Adoptees of Chicago (KAtCH) will host a fundraiser at the Chicago Fire game on September 14. The tailgate begins at 5:30 PM in the Soldier Field parking lot, followed by the game at 7:30 PM. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, and seating. Tickets can be purchased here to sit with the group and support KAtCH, and those who register on Eventbrite will be entered for a chance to win a Chicago Fire scarf.
Looking ahead to 2026, Also-Known-As (AKA) will host its 30th Anniversary celebration April 16–19, 2026, in New York City. This international gathering will celebrate three decades of community-building, advocacy, and connection among adoptees. For updates and registration information, visit the official event page.
The KAAN 2026 Conference will take place June 19–21, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, at the Renaissance Denver Hotel & Conference Center. Be on the lookout for the Call for Proposals, which opens in mid-August. KAAN welcomes contributions from across the adoptee and adoptive family community, including workshops, art, research, and lived experience.
Finally, the 7th IKAA Korea Gathering is planned for Fall 2026 in Seoul. The change in season will allow participants to explore the city through more personal and small-group experiences. Those interested in getting involved can visit ikaa.org/volunteer to learn more about volunteer opportunities related to planning or fundraising.
These events and reflections remind us that liberation is not a single moment, but an ongoing process of connection, expression, and reclaiming who we are. Whether you are participating in events, reflecting privately, or building community in your own way, this month offers many meaningful ways to be part of the evolving Korean adoptee experience.
