Name/Korean name: Lisa Scahill/ Yoon, Yun-Mee

First KAtCH event:
A zoom game event in 2021(fun!). My first live event was a round table talk on adoption and identity in 2022. Through the round table was able to connect more deeply with members and created a unique outlet for my Korean adoption side of myself.

Where did you grow up/Where do you live now?
I grew up in Jackson, Michigan. I currently live in Blue Island, IL

Tell us about yourself:
I was born in Seoul, S. Korea and was adopted to the United States in 1981 at 6 months old. I have one younger(by 2 years) Korean adopted brother who remains in Michigan. My parents took us back to South Korea in 1996 when I was 13, over the summer. There, we stayed for two months, the second month my parents chaparoned the Ilsan Korean Adoptee International Summer Camp held by Holt Adoption Services. During that time I did get a chance to meet my foster mother(at that age, I barely remember how I felt). I’ve since been to Korea two other occasions, one of which I did a semester studying abroad at the Yonsei University. Throughout all of my experiences with Korea and the Korean Adoption community I feel that I had taken for granted those opportunities and most likely never appreciated them to the fullest, probably due to me being young and also because I wanted so much to fit in other places I think. I’m now married to a mixed Irish and Polish man, and have 3 beautiful children who have no interest in Korean culture, which makes me kind of sad…I work at a Sushi restaurant part time, do part time online cybersecurity compliance, and occasionally work with a local clothing designer designing her linesheets.

You’ll likely KAtCH me doing the following:
In my spare time I love to watch Korean dramas, knit simple scarves, and meet with friends and eat really good food. I also enjoy shopping with my daughter and playing Tetris with the family.

Why do you enjoy being involved with the KAtCH community?
I love being a part of the KAtCH community because it has carved a special space for me and others in the same kind of realm. I love that connections are somewhat easier, because there’s that common part of one another that doesn’t have to be explained. Also, it is just so interesting and amazing to hear everyone’s story and meet new people.

Favorite restaurant(s) in Chicagoland:
I really don’t get out much anymore since I had kids, but obviously I think Sushi Dokku is a great place if you’re in the mood for good sush. And I do enjoy eating a San Soo Gap San for Korean BBQ.