My KBS Adventure

KBS is a state-run TV station that has a program called "I Miss the Person(그 사람이 보고싶다)" It's a show that has helped a number of other adoptees find their families.  It also helps people find sisters, brothers, and other relatives who have somehow gotten "lost."

On Wednesday they e-mailed me a script for the show.  I was to be at the station on Thursday morning.  Nice that they gave me less than 24 hours to work on that.  I arrived at the subway exit and had a greeting party:

I walked over to KBS and met my interpreter for the day...I had my script in hand.  We do some practice runs with her asking me the questions, and me trying to remember the scripted responses.  So, we began and she asked me the first question...only it was a completely different question that what I had on my "script."  I pointed that out, and she said she got a different script...hers included emcee's comments.  But I didn't understand why her questions were different.  Anyway, we had some back and forth until we finally figured out how to together best.  I needed her to ask me the questions in a similar way that I had learned the answers from the script.  It was stressful day for me and she made it even worse.  The director was talking to me (in Korean) for what seemed like a minute or two...I asked what she said and she distilled all that into "just look at the camera."  

We were taken across the hall to the TV show's set...there were four of us.  Three people who would speak, and the wife of one of the participants.  There was also a reunion of two long-lost sisters.  I didn't get any details (from my interpreter), just that two sisters had found each other.  (Thanks for that helpful explanation.) When I asked my interpreter what the story was on the other two people, she told me "the man wants to find his sister, and the lady wants to find her parents."  Wow...she will make a great interpreter.

In the audience were two rows of ladies who seemed to ooohhh and ahhhh and laugh on cue, in unison.  There were two emcees...one man, one woman.  A secondary male host, and then two people on a "panel" that talk about and show pictures of people who are looking for family members, but couldn't be on the show.  Anyway...each person's segment was very emotional.  The two sisters hugged and cried on stage.  Everyone was so happy for them, I'm sure there were no dry eyes.  The woman looking for her parents had a little diagram of what she can remember from when she was a child...a diagram of a house, a nearby lake, etc.  The man looking for his sister had been filmed apparently going back to visit where they used to live...which is now just farmland.  As he told his story...he too cried.  

Did I cry...yes.  You know, I'm not sure why I get all choked up when I talk about finding my birth family.  It's not that I "miss" them...as the show's title may infer.  But rather, it's been so many years that I just thought I had no hope of ever finding them...this is a little spark of hope for me.  When I was a teenager, I remember thinking, well the only way I could probably find my birth mom would be to do a spot on TV.  At that point in time, that was just a pie-in-the-sky dream.  Who would have ever thought it could be true.

Anyway, after the show, all of us who participated wished each other luck, and the emcees even stopped by to tell us that they hope we find our families.  I'm glad I did it and I'm really glad it's over.  

Tomorrow I go to give DNA so if someone comes forward to say they are a family member, they will have to be DNA tested before they contact me with any news.  I think that's great.  Also, I've agreed that if there should be a reunion, it will be on the KBS show.

When I got back to my homestay, I received a "reality check" e-mail from another adoptee.  He told me that out of the 200,000 adoptees that have gone over seas, only about 2500 or so have found their birth families.  He wished me luck and told me not to get depressed if I don't hear anything.

Honestly, I knew the pros and cons of going on a program like this.  But I compared it to the lottery...if you don't play, you can't win.  Or...nothing ventured, nothing gained.  So, I will wait and see.  I think it would be great if I find someone.  If nothing happens, I can say at least I tried.  But I have nothing to be sad about, as I have great friends and family, and although I have room in my heart for new folks, I don't feel empty without finding them.   

I return to the States in less than a week.  I am looking forward to going home.  I'm packing a lot into my last days...because who knows when I'll get to come back.

Met my Army friends for dinner on Wednesday (awesome Italian...picture of the chefs above), KBS and tutoring on Thursday, then attended a performing arts show called "Chef"  (gotta love the chefs).  It was so fun with the performers doing tae kwon do, making the funny noises with their mouth (beatbox), mime, combined with a video that the performers went in and out of, traditional music, and a story line of about to fix bibimbap.  After the show if you filled out a survey you got red pepper paste and sesame oil.  I'll be bringing that home.  Sorry...no pictures from the show.  I uncharacteristically followed the rules of no cameras this time. Friday is last class at one of my schools, DNA donating, dinner with friends.  Saturday is a cooking class, traditional dance performance, World Cup. Sunday is Italian lunch at the Franciscan church again, a visit to the DVD guy (6 for 10,000 won...that less than $10...put your orders in now). Monday, last class at one of my schools, then leave with Angela (house mom) to the East Sea.  We will stay the night and come back on Tuesday...I will pack and go home on Wednesday.  Whew.