They combined with their family of origin and became best friends

Von WOM

In 2022, the history of Linsay Debates was published, which was adopted by an American family at 6 months from South Korea. For almost two decades, she did not return to her country of birth. In her youth she had to fight with questions about her identity and cultural belonging.

simple education, big questions

"I had great difficulties with my identity and cultural identity," explains Linsay, who is 45 years old today and grew up in the 1990s in the American middle west. When she received a letter from her adoption agency in her late teenage years, in which the status that her biological family wanted to get in touch, Linsay was curious. She hoped to find answers to the questions that tortured her for years.

a crucial trip

in 2000, when Linsay was 19, she had the opportunity to take part in a trip to Seoul sponsored by the government that included a group of South Korean adopted from all over the world. Her adoptive parents had offered to accompany them, but Linsay wanted to start this trip alone. "It felt like I had to do it alone," she says.

confrontation with the past

Although she met the other adopted young people and experienced the culture, she often felt isolated and confused. "I had this idea that I would return to Korea and immediately felt the feeling of belonging," she says. But when she got out of the plane in 2000, reality was different: "Everyone looked at me - just like here."

The return to the roots

At the end of the two -week tour, Linsay met her biological parents for the first time. She had believed that they lived in Seoul, but actually they lived in Daejeon for two hours south. "They took my suitcases and drove me two hours to Daejeon, where I was with them for 10 days and immersed them in this new family," she reports. But the language was a big barrier - Linsay did not speak Korean and her family could hardly speak English. The emotional load she carried with it was great.

make new friendships

To have time to think, Linsay, to travel to the suburbs of Seoul like ITAEWON, began to be known for his international community. "I just felt more comfortable there," she says. One evening, while she ran past bars and restaurants, she heard American voices. She discovered a group of young Americans and bravely grabbed the chance to join them. "So what bar is there next?" She asked with a smile.

a precious friendship

between Linsay and Doug Gist, one of the Americans, immediately created a close friendship. "After that night we were immediately like best friends," says Linsay. Doug realized that Linsay was in a vulnerable situation and needed more than just flirt - he became a friend who offered her support. "Doug had this big brother presence and immediately told the others: 'She is with me'," recalls Linsay.

Invision memories

When they met in a bar and Linsay Doug told about their complicated family situation, the others soon stayed away and left the two alone. The bars closed, and Doug brought Linsay to her motel. "When he saw the motel, he said that he felt uncomfortable to let her back there," says Linsay. Doug spent the night on the floor in her motel room, and as they were talking, their friendship continued to grow.

future -oriented support

In the following years, Linsay and Doug remained in contact. They wrote emails and occasionally met when Linsay traveled to South Korea. Doug was an indispensable support on Linsay's return to her birthland. In 2002 she again visited her biological family and invited Doug to accompany her. "He helped me to communicate and understand my family," says Linsay.

25 years inseparable friendship

Today Linsay is a clinical social worker and lives again in Minnesota. Her relationship with her biological family has improved over the years and she has good contact with her niece. "I don't worry a lot about my past today," said Linsay. "Doug plays a big role in how I accept myself." In 2025 the two celebrate 25 years of friendship.

a band that overcomes time

"What I tried to show lensay was that she was important, especially if she didn't believe it," says Doug. The two know that their friendship is a special connection and even after all these years they still feel comfortable in the presence of the other. "It's always fun, no matter where we are," says Doug.