Yumin, our Executive Assistant, graduated this May from Emory University with a degree in Film and Media and Management. As she steps into her next chapter, we sat down with her to reflect on her time supporting children in Korea’s social welfare system through KKOOM.
What drew you to work with KKOOM?
Back in my freshman year, I was honestly just looking for something meaningful I could be involved in during college. In high school, I worked as a translator for Compassion (a child sponsorship organization), and also volunteered with the children’s classes at church, so I had already discovered how much I loved working with kids. Being Korean also made me feel especially connected to KKOOM’s mission of supporting children in Korea’s social welfare system.
I first heard about KKOOM through a post from a previous Executive Assistant, Chae Hong, on Emory’s Instagram page. I actually knew Chae personally, so when I saw the post, I immediately thought it looked like something I would really love being a part of. I reached out to her right away because I was genuinely interested in learning more.
I still remember looking through KKOOM’s photos and stories and thinking all the kids looked so cute, but more than anything, I loved the idea of helping create opportunities and support systems for them. That mission made me feel very connected to the organization from the start, and I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in.
What was it like first working on the ground in Korea for the first time?
When I first joined KKOOM, I remember feeling really excited to work with kids and be part of something that felt deeply meaningful to me. I also came in really curious and wanting to learn as much as I could. The first KKOOM program I attended was the STEM GEM Girls Empowerment Camp in 2024, and looking back now, that experience shaped not only my connection to KKOOM, but also the way I understood what kind of impact a community can have on people’s lives.
We all stayed together in an Airbnb during the camp, and after long days filled with activities, workshops, and time spent with the girls, we would come back home tired, but happy. I still remember the house being filled with laughter, singing, dancing, and the girls doing each other’s makeovers late into the night. Those moments may seem small, but they are honestly some of the memories I hold closest to my heart. There was so much warmth, comfort, and joy in those spaces, and it made me realize how special KKOOM truly is.
At night, after the girls had gone to bed, I would stay up talking with the volunteers and house mothers. I asked them about how they first became involved with the children’s homes, what the kids were like growing up, and what everyday life looked like for them. Listening to their stories gave me a much deeper understanding of the love, care, and consistency that exists behind KKOOM’s mission. It helped me see that KKOOM is not just an organization or a program. It is a community filled with people who genuinely care for these children and want them to feel supported, encouraged, and loved.
More than anything, though, it was getting to know the kids themselves that shaped me the most. Caring for them came so naturally. Somewhere along the way, KKOOM stopped feeling like just something I was involved in during college and became something that I care about very deeply. It became a place, a community, and a mission that will always stay with me.
"Somewhere along the way, KKOOM stopped feeling like just something I was involved in during college and became something that I care about very deeply. It became a place, a community, and a mission that will always stay with me."
What are your most memorable experiences from KKOOM's programs in Korea?
As I look back, there are a few moments that I know I will never forget. One of the biggest was during my first time traveling to Korea for the STEM GEM Girls Empowerment Camp in 2024. It was also my first time meeting the girls I had been working with through KKOOM.
Before the trip, I had only seen photos of them, so I remember feeling both excited and really nervous. All of the volunteers had met the day before, and I still remember us waiting together at the Seoul train station for the girls to arrive. There was so much anticipation in that moment. Then the train doors opened and the girls started walking out one by one, and suddenly everything felt real. I remember being so nervous before meeting them, but the second I saw them, that nervousness immediately turned into excitement and so much love for them.
Another moment that really stays with me was during the Busan Sports and Wellness Camp. One night, we all went on a yacht ride together near Gwangalli Beach. I still remember the boat riding through the waves at night while everyone laughed, talked, and listened to music together. At one point, the boat stopped in the middle of the water underneath the bridge, and we started setting off fireworks from the yacht. I remember there being a moment where everyone suddenly became quiet.
We all just sat there looking up at the night sky, watching the fireworks above us and the reflections on the water. It felt strangely peaceful and emotional at the same time. I remember looking around and just feeling really grateful to be there with them and experience that kind of happiness together.
Was there a time during your journey with KKOOM that challenged you, or stretched you in an unexpected way?
I think one thing that really stretched me was learning how to work with a vulnerable population in a way that was careful, respectful, and thoughtful. It made me realize how much responsibility comes with this kind of work. I became a lot more mindful about how I interact with children, the kinds of conversations we are having with them, and even the type of media and content they are exposed to. Working with kids made me realize how important it is to create environments where they feel safe, encouraged, and genuinely cared for. That challenged me in a lot of ways, but it also helped me grow so much as a person.
I also had to learn how to ask for help from my team. At first, I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to figure everything out on my own, but over time I realized how important it is to lean on the people around you. Asking questions, receiving guidance, and learning from the volunteers, staff, and house mothers helped me grow not only professionally, but personally too. It reminded me that this kind of work is never done alone and that humility and teamwork are such an important part of caring for others well.
Who are the people behind KKOOM that made the biggest impact on you?
So many people from KKOOM left a lasting imprint on my heart. Leah is definitely one of them. Getting to work closely with her taught me so much. I really admired not only the way she works, but also the way she leads with so much softness, care, and heart for people. She has such a genuine love for the children and for everyone around her, and that really stayed with me.
The house mothers also impacted me deeply. Hearing their stories and learning how they came into this work was so inspiring. Their love, strength, and dedication were so clear, and it made me appreciate even more how much care and sacrifice goes into what they do every day.
And honestly, the friendships I made through KKOOM are something I will always treasure too. People like Jack, Zoe, Jun, and Hyunju made such a big difference in my experience. I loved the dynamic we had and the way we worked together. There was so much support, joy, and comfort in those relationships, and they became such a meaningful part of my time at KKOOM.
In what ways has KKOOM changed you, whether in how you see the world, your work, or yourself?
I think KKOOM really changed the way I think about the audience and the responsibility that comes with media. Since a lot of my role involved storytelling, social media, and communication, I started realizing that media is not just about creating something that looks good or gets attention. It is also about thinking carefully about who you are representing, who will see the content, and whether you are telling someone’s story in a way that is respectful and thoughtful.
Working with children made that feel especially important to me. I became a lot more intentional about the way I approached photos, videos, and storytelling. Even something as simple as taking pictures with the students required care and thoughtfulness. I learned how important it was to ask for consent, make sure the kids felt comfortable, and explain why we were taking photos and what the media would be used for.
There were also moments where we needed to protect the children’s privacy by covering faces or being careful about what details were shared publicly. Experiences like that made me realize that ethical storytelling is not always about sharing everything. Sometimes it is about knowing what should stay protected too.
More than anything, I never wanted the kids to feel like they were just being used for content. I wanted people to see their personalities, joy, humor, and individuality through the stories we shared. KKOOM taught me that media has real impact, especially when you are working with vulnerable communities, and it made me much more thoughtful about the kind of storyteller and communicator I want to be moving forward.
"KKOOM taught me that media has real impact, especially when you are working with vulnerable communities, and it made me much more thoughtful about the kind of storyteller and communicator I want to be moving forward."
What small moments stood out most during your time with KKOOM?
I think some of the small moments that meant the most to me were the ones where I could feel myself getting closer to the kids. It was not always in the big or obvious moments, but in the quiet in between ones when they started opening up more, getting more comfortable, and letting me into their world a little more. Those moments felt really meaningful to me because they showed trust, and that always meant a lot.
It also really stayed with me watching the volunteers and the kids slowly open up to each other. Seeing those relationships grow little by little felt so special. You could really see the difference as everyone became more comfortable and genuine connections started to form. Those moments may have seemed small from the outside, but to me they meant a lot because they showed how real and meaningful those bonds were becoming.
What lessons from KKOOM are you carrying into your next chapter?
One thing I know I am taking with me is that KKOOM will always be a part of my life, and I will always feel connected to it. This never felt like just a temporary role or a passing chapter. The mission became deeply personal to me, and that is something I know will stay with me for a long time.
More than anything, I am carrying with me a lasting love for the children and a deep connection to KKOOM’s mission. It is not just something I was a part of for a season. It feels like something I will always carry with me, and I know that in many ways, I will always feel like a part of KKOOM too.
As I step into what’s next, I really hope to carry everything I learned from KKOOM with me. This experience taught me so much about people, responsibility, teamwork, and what it means to do work with care and heart. One lesson that really stayed with me was learning how important it is to make people feel included and valued, even through small actions.
I remember during one of the camps there was a student who was quieter at first and seemed a little hesitant to fully join the group activities. Over the next few days, some of us started spending more time talking with her during meals, sitting next to her during activities, and including her in little conversations and jokes throughout the day.
Slowly, you could see her becoming more comfortable and opening up more around everyone. By the end of camp, she was laughing, participating more confidently, and spending time naturally with the rest of the group. That experience reminded me how much small acts of kindness and consistency can matter, especially for kids.
Moments like that really changed the way I think about leadership and care. KKOOM taught me that creating a supportive environment is not always about doing something huge or dramatic. A lot of the time, it is about paying attention to people, making them feel seen, and showing up for them consistently. I know those are lessons I will carry with me long after college.
"More than anything, I am carrying with me a lasting love for the children and a deep connection to KKOOM’s mission. It is not just something I was a part of for a season. It feels like something I will always carry with me, and I know that in many ways, I will always feel like a part of KKOOM too."
Finally, when you think about KKOOM’s future, what do you hope for our community and the students we work with?
When I think about KKOOM’s future, what I hope most is to see all of the children continue to grow and achieve the dreams they have for their lives. Because I know them personally, it feels really special to think about the people they are becoming and all that is ahead of them. I hope they continue to believe in themselves, push themselves, and trust that they are capable of so much.
I also hope KKOOM continues to be a place where every child feels loved, supported, and truly seen. More than anything, I hope they always know there are people who believe in them and are cheering them on. I would love to see the whole KKOOM community continue to grow together and keep being a place of love, support, and hope for years to come.
Yumin, we will miss you more than words can say. Thank you for the care, creativity, and heart you brought to KKOOM and to every child you worked with. You’ll always be part of the KKOOM family! We are so proud of you and cannot wait to see what you do next.
Follow us on social media for more photos of Yumin’s adventures with KKOOM!