VOICES OF KCCNYC ADOPTEES: Marci’s STORY
Voices of KCCNYC Adoptees: Marci Defrancesco’s Story
By Marci Francesco
Marci and April, Marci’s adoptive sister.
I was adopted from Seoul, South Korea, in May 1984, when I was just four and a half months old. My new family was from a city in upstate NY, Troy. That’s where my life as Marci DeFranceso begins. A Korean girl with an Italian name. My story has always been a blend of cultures: the mystery of where I came from and the love and craziness of where I grew up.
Marci, April, and their Dad
Growing up, I always knew I didn’t look like my parents or the rest of my family. My parents told us at a young age that we were adopted and how we came to be a family. There were no secrets there. I think that was the best choice they could have made - to be transparent so we could understand.
My childhood was filled with love and family. My parents were so happy to have children to share their lives with. I was their second daughter. They adopted my sister from South Korea a year and half before I arrived. To them, love was an action, something shown through care, hard work, and family.
As I got older, life changed. My parents divorced when I was in high school, so I had to grow up a little quicker. In all honesty, it was probably the best thing for me. It helped shape who I am now and gave me a new perspective on life itself.
I got into acting and theater as a way to escape reality. It helped me cope with what was happening when I was younger and is now a major part of my life. I moved to NYC to pursue acting in TV and film and I didn’t foresee how much Korean culture I would absorb living in NYC. I feel more whole being here and learning more about my Korean side and the language. I know this is where I’m supposed to be.
Adoption gave me a life filled with love and opportunity. I did and still do wonder about my birth mother and the circumstances that led to my adoption. Was it a choice? A sacrifice? A necessity? But I came to terms when I was younger that I may never meet her in my life, and that's okay. I'm so grateful to her for her sacrifice. It's allowed me to have a second chance at life.
Marci and April with their mom.
The best part of my story is that I started this life alone, an orphan. Today, I have so many family members and friends’ families I’m a part of. They taught me that family isn’t about shared DNA but shared moments— dinners, laughter, support through hard times. Yet being a Korean adoptee also means carrying two stories: one written by love and adoption, the other by the unknown and mystery. I’ve learned to honor both. I’m so grateful to my birth mother for having me and making the ultimate sacrifice in giving me this second chance to live a full and meaningful life.
