What happens when being Korean American and a pastor’s kid means growing up in not two, but three different worlds?
In the season one finale, Annie and Sharon explore the “third culture” experience of Korean pastors’ kids: navigating Korean family expectations at home, trying to fit into American society, and performing the role of a model Christian at church. They share personal stories about home church, religious censorship, unpaid church labor, family contradictions, and the mental-health effects of constantly changing personas.
The conversation also looks beyond their own experiences to consider why Christianity became such a powerful source of survival, opportunity, and belonging for their immigrant parents. From family trauma and hoarding to boundaries, financial independence, and religious deconstruction, Annie and Sharon reflect on the difficult process of understanding their parents while creating lives and identities of their own.
They close the season by examining the adaptability, compassion, independence, and survival skills they gained from moving among three worlds—and sharing what they wish they could tell their younger selves.
In this episode we cover:
00:00 — The hidden reality of the PK life
02:30 — What does “third culture kid” mean?
04:34 — The three worlds of a Korean pastor’s kid
07:43 — Identity, people-pleasing, and the mental-health impact
09:08 — Growing up with a home church
12:12 — How being a PK changes the church experience
16:03 — Fundamentalism, fear, and conflicting family personas
20:14 — Pastor parents, church hierarchy, and unfulfilled callings
24:06 — Sibling differences, censorship, and strict religious rules
28:33 — Understanding the trauma behind their parents’ choices
34:20 — When Christianity becomes a source of survival
38:14 — Immigration, hoarding, and other trauma responses
42:26 — Moving from three worlds toward an integrated identity
46:09 — Creating boundaries and building a life of your own
49:00 — A near-death experience that changed a family relationship
52:02 — The strengths gained from being a third culture kid
58:27 — What the hosts would tell their younger selves
01:01:05 — Season one finale and closing
Sharon Kwon, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Bodhi Aware Therapy. Sharon specializes in working with Korean Americans who have struggled with overcoming religious trauma and spiritual abuse. She has worked in private and community mental health settings with immigrant families struggling with intergenerational trauma. Sharon’s writing has been published in Huff Post, SLATE Magazine, SELF Magazine, and Psychology Today. Sharon is an avid traveller and fan of all things “K”—dramas, food, soccer, etc. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Get to know her on Instagram @talkwithsharon or via her website: www.sharonkwon.com.
Sion Lim (임시온) is a self-proclaimed “Koreanist” with a special passion to learn more about Korean Diaspora all over the world. She goes by her naturalized middle name, Annie. Her desire to connect with her K-side stems from her days as a graduate student at SOAS and as a former educator at Osaka Board of Education and Stanford University. Before becoming a podcaster, Annie's latest career adventure was with Silicon Valley corporations (fun!) ranging from Samsung to video games before the AI takeover. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and 3 kitties and would share more with you through her instagram, @sionannielim.
If you enjoyed our podcast, please don't forget to rate us and leave a comment! Follow us on Instagram @2pkspod to connect with us.
Episode Credits:
Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim
Mixed by Abdul Wasay
Music: Risen by Gavin Luke via Epidemic Sounds
Links:
Follow us on our website and on Instagram!
