DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

The Neighborhood's Kindness That Changed Me

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The author initially worried about sending her child to a Japanese nursery school, fearing negative emotional impacts.
  • Her perspective on children and motherhood shifted after living in Fukuoka, Japan, and experiencing the warmth of her neighbors and their children.
  • This positive environment and personal connection led her to decide to have and raise a child in Japan.

The author recounts her initial anxieties about enrolling her child in a Japanese nursery school, a concept akin to a daycare center in Korea. Despite having secured a spot, she grappled with concerns about the timing and potential emotional repercussions for her child, who was still very attached to her.

I can't believe I'm a parent.

— AuthorExpressing disbelief and excitement upon preparing for her child's enrollment in nursery school.

However, her journey to motherhood and her views on children were profoundly shaped by her experiences living in Fukuoka, Japan. After deciding to live in her partner's hometown, she immersed herself in the local community. She developed close relationships with neighbors, including a friend who had a baby boy. Witnessing this child's development and actively participating in his care, from feeding to walks, changed her perception.

Boys can be cute and lovable too.

— AuthorReflecting on her changed perspective on children after actively participating in her neighbor's child's upbringing.

She realized that boys could be just as cute and lovable as girls. This newfound appreciation for children was further nurtured by the vibrant community atmosphere. The local playground was a hub for children, and the neighborhood's welcoming nature, with children running up to greet her and neighbors sharing their lives, created an environment where she felt she could raise a child. This positive and supportive community, coupled with her own evolving feelings, led her to embrace the idea of motherhood and decide to have a child in Japan.

Oh my gosh, so cute!

— AuthorDescribing her spontaneous reaction to seeing children, a stark contrast to her previous indifference.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog