THIS MONTH IN THE KOREAN ADOPTEE COMMUNITY - May 2026
Lantern Festival in Seoul for Buddha’s birthday.
By Jon Oaks
May is AAPI Heritage Month, and for many Korean adoptees, the month can bring a mix of emotions. For some, it can feel empowering to see Korean and Asian cultures celebrated more visibly in schools, workplaces, museums, and communities. For others, it can also bring complicated feelings connected to identity, belonging, loss, language, family history, or feeling disconnected from Korean culture growing up. Many adoptees find themselves somewhere in between, appreciating the opportunity to reconnect while also reflecting on what may have been missed earlier in life.
AAPI Heritage Month can be a meaningful time to explore Korean culture in whatever way feels comfortable and personal. That might mean attending a local event, trying Korean food, listening to K-pop, watching Korean films, practicing a few Korean phrases, visiting a Korean neighborhood, reconnecting with other adoptees, or simply taking time to reflect. There is no “correct” way to engage with heritage, and it is okay if feelings about the month change from year to year. For some adoptees, community spaces and cultural events can feel healing. For others, they may feel overwhelming at first. Both experiences are valid.
One important May holiday in Korea that some adoptees may not have grown up learning about is Buddha’s Birthday, known in Korean as 부처님 오신 날 (“The Day Buddha Came”). In 2026, the holiday falls on May 24 and is observed nationally in South Korea. Temples across the country are decorated with colorful lotus lanterns, and many communities participate in the annual Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회), a tradition recognized by UNESCO. Even for adoptees who are not Buddhist, the holiday can be a beautiful opportunity to experience a different side of Korean culture that often receives less attention internationally than K-pop or Korean dramas.
For adoptees planning to visit Korea in the future, spending time at a temple can be a memorable and calming experience. Many Korean temples offer temple stay programs where visitors can participate in meditation, tea ceremonies, temple meals, and quiet reflection. Temple food itself is also unique within Korean cuisine. Often entirely vegetarian, it emphasizes seasonal ingredients, simplicity, and balance. Visitors should keep in mind that temples are active religious spaces, so modest clothing, quiet behavior, and respectful photography are appreciated. Many temples also have English-language programs available for international visitors and adoptees. For some adoptees, visiting a temple can provide a peaceful environment to process emotions connected to identity, heritage, and reconnection.
May 2026 Community Calendar
This month also includes several opportunities for adoptees to connect with community, explore Korean culture, and participate in meaningful conversations and events.
May 13 – The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and Adoptees For Justice will host the annual “New Narratives” fundraiser event in Chicago in partnership with Restoried Bookshop. The event will feature environmental justice advocate and award-winning graphic memoirist Eddie Ahn, author of Advocate. The program begins at 6 pm CT. Read more here.
May 16 – KAtCH: Korean Adoptees of Chicago invites adoptees in the Chicago area to attend a Fulbright presentation and group discussion featuring Julayne Lee at the West Loop Branch of the Chicago Public Library. The presentation, “Adopted Koreans as Space Makers,” will explore how Korean adoptees navigate identity, belonging, and community in Korea through artistic research, poetry, and reflection. The discussion will also touch on recent findings published through Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The event begins at 9:45 am. Read more here.
May 16–17 – For adoptees visiting or living in Seoul, the 2026 Lotus Lantern Festival (연등회) offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Korea’s most celebrated cultural and religious traditions. Events throughout the Jongno area will include lantern parades, cultural performances, traditional activities, and community celebrations connected to Buddha’s Birthday. Major highlights include the Lantern Parade on May 16 and traditional cultural events on May 17. Free admission. Read more here.
Throughout May – AMC Theatres is celebrating Asian Pacific Islander storytelling with a special film series featuring several acclaimed films throughout the month. Selections include Everything Everywhere All at Once, Past Lives, Crazy Rich Asians, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Godzilla Minus One. Adoptees looking to explore Asian and Asian American stories through film may wish to check local listings for nearby screenings and showtimes. Read more here.
June 6 – KAtCH: Korean Adoptees of Chicago will host a community lunch, museum, and park outing in downtown Chicago open to adoptees, family members, and friends. The day will include lunch at Kong Dog, a group visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, and time together at Maggie Daley Park. Registration is required by June 3 at 6 pm, and participants are responsible for their own lunch and museum admission costs. Read more here.
Reflecting on Heritage and Community
As AAPI Heritage Month continues, I encourage fellow adoptees to engage with community and culture in whatever ways feel meaningful and supportive. Whether that means attending events, learning something new about Korea, reconnecting with other adoptees, or simply taking time for personal reflection, every journey is different. I hope this month provides opportunities for connection, curiosity, and community for anyone exploring what Korean heritage means in their own life today.
