According to traditional Korean myths, the world is inhabited by spirits who do not immediately leave the earthly realm; after people die, their spirits remain with their family for four generations. While Koreans today may not believe in these myths, memorial rites that honor the dead are embedded in Korean culture and history. Cha-rye is one such ancestral ritual performed annually on Korean holidays, such as Lunar New Year’s Day and Korean Thanksgiving Day. Extensive food is prepared, and members of the family pour wine and bow to pay respects to the spirits of their ancestors.

My parents practiced cha-rye for the first time after migrating to America. Even though many Koreans today do not practice cha-rye, his desire to perform the memorial ritual emerged at a young age after he lost his mother and father when he was 10 and 13 years old. But he had never been able to do it because of the extensive cooking it required. It wasn't until he migrated to America and married my mother that he was able to do it for the first time at age 30. And they have been doing it every year to this day.

– Stephanie Kim

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant