Korean adoptee Matt Blesse, 31, is an American who moved back to Korea six years ago. A poet who now spends a great deal of time in kitchens in Seoul, the Californian chef-in-training got cerebral and talked with us about his ideas on adoptee identity and authenticity. We caught up with him on the island of Jeju.

Music Credits:

Theme: AJ Paschka

Alex Fitch: “Along the Highway,” Needle Drop Company.

Ari De Niro: “Put the Hammer Down,” “Questing,” Needle Drop Company.

Logo: Rusty Detty

Special Thanks: Brad Linder