Hyeseung Song: Docile with Emma Eun-joo Choi

Hyeseung Song: Docile with Emma Eun-joo Choi

Author: The Korea Society July 23, 2024 Duration: 50:53

July 18, 2024 - A daughter of Korean immigrants, Hyeseung Song spends her earliest years in the cane fields of Texas where her loyalties are divided between a restless father in search of Big Money, and a beautiful yet domineering mother whose resentments about her own life compromises her relationship with her daughter. With her parents at constant odds, Song learns more words in Korean for hatred than for love. When the family's fake Gucci business lands them in bankruptcy, Song moves to a new elementary school. On her first day, a girl asks the teacher: "Can she speak English?"

Neither rich nor white, Song does what is necessary to be visible: she internalizes the model minority myth as well as her beloved mother's dreams to see her on a secure path. Song meets these expectations by attending the best Ivy League universities in the country. But when she wavers, in search of an artistic life on her own terms, her mother warns, "Happiness is what unexceptional people tell themselves when they don't have the talent and drive to go after real success." Years of self-erasure take a toll and Song experiences recurring episodes of depression and mania.

So begins her sweeping journey to heal herself by losing everything. In her extraordinary debut memoir Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl, Song expertly weaves together the beauty and complexity of her experience. It is an immigrant story, but also a mother-daughter story, a mental health story, and ultimately a redemption story. Poetic and unflinching, Docile is a lesson in the power of love and legacy to shape us and finding the bravery to be our authentic selves in spite of the expectations we carry.

In a conversation with Emma Eun-joo Choi, Song discusses her memoir.

Docile: Memoirs of a Not-So-Perfect Asian Girl will be available for purchase.

For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.koreasociety.org/arts-culture/item/1844-hyeseung-song-docile-with-emma-eun-joo-choi


Tune in to The Korea Society for a series of conversations that go beyond the headlines, exploring the dynamic relationship between the United States and Korea. This podcast, presented by the nonprofit organization of the same name, serves as an auditory forum where experts, policymakers, artists, and thinkers from both nations share their insights. You’ll hear discussions that span current events, historical context, cultural exchanges, and policy challenges, all aimed at fostering a deeper mutual understanding. Each episode feels like attending a thoughtful lecture or an intimate roundtable, providing nuance to complex topics that often get simplified in daily news cycles. The natural flow of dialogue in this podcast makes intricate subjects in politics, business, and the arts accessible and engaging. By focusing on genuine conversation rather than soundbites, these recordings build a bridge across the Pacific, offering listeners a reliable source for education and informed perspective. It’s an essential listen for anyone curious about the evolving ties, shared histories, and future collaborations between these two countries. The Korea Society organization ensures the content remains nonpartisan and dedicated to its mission, making each episode a trustworthy deep dive into the issues that shape this vital international partnership.
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