1808 Synopsis: Undivided Heart: A Korean Family’s Legacy

 Vana Hansen to me, Chungsoon, Okkyung, Pak, Marsha, 봄날

------------
Hi everyone,



This is a synopsis, revised by a Korean American avant-garde feminist, Inhee Lee, of our book “Undivided Heart: A Family Legacy.” She thought this is a very important book and offered to rewrite a brief synopsis (below) I sent her. I found it quite interesting that she would do such a thing, so I thought I would share it with you. - vana



Short synopsis for book cover: 

This is a story of an extended family that strived for unity over three generations through Japanese colonialism, division, war, and emigration. After thirty years of separation, Lee Jong-man, the grandfather, was found alive in North Korea, a well-respected capitalist who became a compatriot to socialism and lived under the dictatorship that became his home.

The 38th Parallel would have to be faced in the hearts of the family members, echoing the need in society for a new paradigm for communication. Once the lines dissolved for this family, the grandfather’s legacy was revealed. A new destiny is awaiting the open hearts and minds of those who dare. Is peace and unification possible on the Korean Peninsula? The psycho-emotional work that freed this family may be a key to the reunification process that is underway.

-------------





Synopsis: Undivided Heart: A Korean Family’s Legacy 



By Vana Kim Hanson 



What happens to those who have been going through great tragic events caused by colonization, war, and forced separation from their land and families? How can they survive emotional, psychological trauma inflicted by forces beyond one’s control and for such long time--over seventy years? 



In Undivided Heart: A Korean Family’s Legacy Vana Kim Hanson gathers stories from her siblings dedicated to their mother, Il-seon’s. A family autobiography centered on Il-seon brings out stories deeply buried during these periods. This book traces three generations of a family in the Korean Peninsula, from the times of Colonization by Japan, 1910-1945, then the Korean War, 1950-1953, to present day. During these times of upheaval, family members were scattered and their stories were lost or hidden, even forbidden. Under severe repression by both North and South Korean governments, some family stories were forbidden for the safety of family members because of extreme ideological conflicts that have been persisting for over seven decades in the Korean Peninsula. 



In order to bring the stories together, the family first established communication between generations. Through this process of opening up communication and sharing stories, the family members experience healing and stories emerge, some very shocking, such as the story of their grandfather, Lee Jong-man (1885-1977). His life reveals how geo-politics makes one’s life transformed from one extreme to the other. Years later he was found alive in North Korea; he was once a well-respected capitalist who became a compatriot to socialism and found home in no other place than in North Korea. 



Il-seon and Vana through the process of writing the book, realize that a new paradigm is needed for reunification of both Koreas: not only by geo-political means but also by opening communications between generations and through the hearts of the Korean people.