경옥, my main source in this project about young defectors, has given me great access into her life. But there are some things that she hasn’t allowed me to be there for yet. That’s okay, and I respect her need to protect her friends and family who cannot have their pictures taken and posted. For this reason, I’ve asked her to collaborate with me on her story. It’s hers after all. So she’s taking my ‪‎Lomography‬ ‪instant‬ camera with her this week for family visits, dates and other things that she doesn’t feel comfortable letting me join on. I’m going to include her pictures when I share the edit with you all later. I’m really excited about this. She loves making pictures, and I think this is appropriate way to tell her story. Plus its a lot of fun for both of us. Here’s a‪ snapshot‬ she took of us from the subway today. We probably shouldn’t have used flash, but all is a learning experience. :)

Here are a few pictures that I’ve made of their community these first few weeks. What I wanted to capture was their independence, strength and optimism. These kids have had to work hard to catch up in school, make money with their family and adapt to a new culture. But here in South Korea, they have dreams, and they get to be young kids. They play and study and look toward the future while remembering their past and helping each other.

I went to a billiards hall with 일룡 and his South Korean friend who gave me the English name John. And I went with 경옥 and Grace, (who is 일룡’s sister, but doesn’t want to give her Korean name) to a norebang and to eat. I joined the three of them at the global Christian church they go to, which has a mission to rescue defectors from China and help them adapt in the South. I also went with 경옥 to decorate a cake for her boyfriend’s birthday and accompanied her babysitting her cousin (who was born in Seoul to a North Korean mother and South Korean father). I hope you enjoy these, and I hope to have more to show you soon!