A legacy-driven media platform documenting Korean excellence in culture, economy, and identity
By Grace Shin
According to the New Family Report, traditional family structures are disintegrating, giving way to diverse familial arrangements such as small families and nuclear families. Adoption, now exceeding 200,000 cases in Korea, reflects a society where marriage and bloodlines are not the sole determinants of family. In this evolving landscape, modern families can also be formed through cohabitation and sponsorship. Shin Soon-kyu, a graduate of Harvard and MIT and a certified financial analyst at Brown Brothers Harriman, has experienced and lived within such a family structure for years. As November heightens the significance of family, Mom & I interviewed Shin Soon-kyu to explore his unique familial experiences.
Known within both Korean immigrant communities and Korea itself, Shin is a prominent financial analyst on Wall Street, a columnist for Maeil Business Newspaper, and the bestselling author of "Seeing Things with Closed Eyes" (2014). His book captivated media attention due to the insight it offered on life and values, completed over three years using a Braille computer due to his blindness.
At nine, Shin lost his eyesight after multiple surgeries for glaucoma and retinal detachment. Reflecting on that time, Shin recalls feeling liberated, as he no longer needed surgery. After enrolling in a school for the blind, Shin’s musical talent in piano accompanied him on an American tour, leading him to study in the U.S. thanks to Overbrook School’s invitation.
Shin's American guardians, Dave and Mary Ormesher, became his pillars of support, helping him integrate into American society and excel academically, eventually gaining admission to esteemed institutions including Harvard and MIT.
He initially aspired to become the first blind physician, but legal constraints redirected him to psychology at Harvard and a doctorate in management from MIT. Recognizing a gap, Shin paved his own path by becoming a financial analyst, ultimately achieving the milestone of being the first blind holder of a CFA certification.
During the mid-1970s in Korea, societal prejudices severely limited blind individuals’ opportunities. “Persistent discrimination made things like even taking a taxi difficult,” Shin recalls. If he had remained in Korea, Shin believes he might have relied on public assistance or become a masseur, if fortunate. The Ormeshers’ unwavering support was instrumental in leveraging his potential, emphasizing that "a person who has experienced love knows how to share it."
Confronted with societal immaturity regarding individuals, Shin found solace and purpose supporting children in protective facilities. Unlike orphans of the past, many of these children have living parents unable to care for them due to various hardships, leaving them to institutional care until early adulthood, when they often face harsh realities due to limited opportunities.
Shin’s response to this plight was to establish the charity organization YANA (You Are Not Alone) in 2008, helping such children transition and thrive. Through YANA’s initiatives, Shin welcomed Yejin, a child from a protective institution, into his family, echoing his own experiences of family support.
Grace Shin, Shin Soon-kyu’s wife, exudes positivity and warmth. Once a quiet and withdrawn child, a teacher’s influence transformed her. This understanding of transformative relationships made her approach to Yejin, her non-biological daughter, both cautious and trepidatious.
Despite personal fears, Grace embraced the role of being Yejin’s mother, a journey beginning from her supportive but challenging childhood to her eventual meeting and marriage with Shin through a Christian disability mission. Despite infertility challenges, they were blessed with a son, David, and later Yejin, balancing their familial life and broader altruistic commitments.
Yejin, who joined the Shins through their charity, adjusted to a new life, transitioning from Korea’s protective care system to an American family environment. Her adaptation unveiled new opportunities for growth and education, with her familial bonds evolving through mutual understanding and love.
Meanwhile, David, the biological son, navigated these changes with ease, embracing Yejin unconditionally. His spontaneous acceptance showcased innate empathy, illustrating that genuine family bonds transcend blood ties.
As traditional family structures shift, the Shin family exemplifies an impactful narrative of love and innovative familial connections. Their journey offers an introspective lesson on the essence of family and community, encouraging us to reflect on our own familial commitments. Through YANA and personal experience, the Shins advocate love as a profound force transcending conventional limits.
Photo Credit: Shin Family Archives
