In a heartwarming reflection on her family trip to South Korea, Joanna Gaines shares a touching memory from their visit to Seoul. In the cover story of Magnolia Journal's spring issue, Joanna reveals the incredible effort her mother, Nan, put into finding her long-lost sister before their trip.
For months leading up to the journey in April of 2023, Nan tirelessly tried to contact her sister, whom she hadn't seen in decades. However, the passage of time and changes in South Korea's number systems complicated her search. By the time they were ready to board their flight, Nan was still unable to find her sister.
Fortunately, their luck changed once they arrived in Seoul. A few days into their trip, an old family friend managed to track down Joanna's aunt. In the lobby of their hotel, her mom and aunt had an emotional reunion, embracing each other as if a lifetime had passed but also no time at all. Witnessing this joyous moment, Joanna recalls that tears filled their eyes, seeing this missing part of her mom's life being found and restored.
Joanna describes her aunt's immediate involvement in all the planned activities for the week, and her mom's pride shone through like never before. Finally visiting Seoul with her family was a long-held desire for Joanna, and it was her husband Chip who declared that 2023 would be the year they would make it happen. Convincing their five kids and 24 other family members to join them, including Joanna's dad, two sisters, uncles, and cousins, they embarked on a journey filled with love and connection.
During their vacation, they marveled at the sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom and explored vibrant food markets. However, nothing compared to the moment when their entire family donned traditional Korean clothing called hanbok. Joanna shared a beautiful picture of her youngest son, Crew, dressed in hanbok on Instagram, capturing the essence of their trip.
In the spring issue of Magnolia Journal, Joanna expresses how surreal it was to witness her mom, Nan, in the place where her story began. Seeing her mom in hanbok was like seeing her for the first time, as if a new understanding of her Korean heritage and identity had emerged.
Joanna's parents' love story is intertwined with the history of South Korea. Her dad, Jerry, met her mom while serving in the U.S. Army in 1969. After nearly three years, he returned to the U.S. and sent Nan a letter asking her to marry him, along with a plane ticket. The couple tied the knot in a San Francisco ceremony in 1972, marking the beginning of their over 50-year love story.
It is worth noting that Joanna's journey to embracing her Korean heritage was not without challenges. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE in 2022, she shared her childhood experiences of being teased and feeling like an outsider due to her Asian heritage. Feeling the need to hide that part of herself, she distanced herself from her roots.
However, through writing her memoir, The Stories We Tell, Joanna found healing and has fully embraced her heritage. She is now passing it along to her five children, acknowledging her Korean heritage as something she is immensely proud of. Joanna believes that self-discovery and understanding one's purpose are lifelong journeys.
If you want to get the full cover story, make sure to visit magnolia.com and grab a copy of Magnolia Journal's Spring 2024 issue, available on newsstands from February 23rd. The story of Joanna's trip to South Korea showcases the power of family, resilience, and the beauty of realizing the importance of our cultural heritage.
