Sooki Jalali, 56, was adopted from Korea at the age of 12 or 14. She’s not exactly sure, and her paperwork was falsified, making her at least several years younger. Jun Sukja would take on a new name and identity in the U.S., but her new life often didn’t seem like an escape from her old one in the orphanage in Korea. As a first wave internationally adopted Korean, she grew up in a small town in the Midwest where no one had seen a family like hers before. She also had to adapt quickly to a new language, culture and way of life. But Jalali was able to find her way, despite all the circuitous turns. Ultimately, she learned to rely on herself and her own determination to help her find the path she is on today. 

Music appears under license with Blue Dot Sessions.