Brian S. Lee

In this episode of Bridgers Seoul, I sit down with Brian for an open conversation about identity, belonging, family and what it really means to grow up between cultures. Born and raised in the US in a Korean family, Brian later spent years living across Asia before making Korea an important part of his life. Together, we explore what it means to feel Korean without feeling completely Korean, how our relationship with our roots changes over time, and why living between cultures can become a strength rather than something we need to resolve. The conversation moves from identity and cultural intelligence to our relationships with immigrant parents, gratitude, dating and marriage in Korea, family expectations, and the difficult question of where “home” really is. In the second half, we turn to education: Korea vs. the US, the value and limitations of traditional schooling, independence, creativity, learning to form your own opinions, and ultimately where we would want to raise our own children. Bridgers is a space for honest conversations with people shaped by Korea and by different cultures — about identity, relationships, choices and the experiences that make us who we are. Stories. Conversations. Perspectives. CONNECT WITH US Brian Instagram:   / briansanghee   LinkedIn:   / brian-s-lee   Jay Instagram:   / jay.jaewoo.seo   LinkedIn:   / jaewooseo   BRIDGERS Instagram:   / bridgers_seoul   CHAPTERS 00:00 Where is home when you live between countries? 02:27 Moving to Asia & becoming a “bridger” 03:44 Growing up Korean-American 08:23 What does being Korean really mean? 14:00 A love-hate relationship with Korea 22:07 Cultural intelligence & adapting across cultures 26:12 Family, immigrant parents & gratitude 36:33 Dating in Korea: love, marriage & expectations 45:53 Partner vs. parents: who comes first? 48:42 Introducing your partner to your family 56:33 Siblings, homecoming & returning to Korea 1:01:29 Education: Korea vs. the US 1:06:11 Is traditional school becoming irrelevant? 1:12:57 French vs. Korean education: learning to think for yourself 1:17:15 Where should we raise our children? 1:19:35 Why Bridgers exists