Milwaukee Voices with Korean Experiences: The groundbreaking series exploring culture and identity

Since the fading days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Milwaukee Independent has been committed to reporting international stories with local roots in Milwaukee.

In its most ambitious journalism project yet, the publication took readers on an extraordinary journey in October. From the streets of Milwaukee to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) of Korea, the news service documented the lives, histories, and cultural experiences that have connected the two communities for decades.

Exploring Korea: Stories from Milwaukee to the DMZ and across a Divided Peninsula is an unprecedented editorial series in scope and depth, comprising 72 installments, over 117,000 words, and more than 2,200 images.

The series ran from October 14 to 25 and provided a window into a world that is geographically distant but deeply connected to Milwaukee. The tagline Milwaukee Voices. Korean Experiences. captured the heart of the editorial focus, as the news project wove together personal stories from Milwaukee and across Korea.

It was the first time that many of the stories were shared with the public, especially from the local Korean diaspora. Their experiences offered a glimpse into the shared experiences of two communities that have been linked through history, migration, conflict, and culture.

Milwaukee may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Korean heritage. But as the series explored in detail, the connections are far more extensive than most people realize. From the aftermath of World War II and the division of Korea to the Korean War veterans who made Milwaukee their home, to the stories of Korean adoptees raised in the city, and even a defector from North Korea. The ties span generations and reflect the ways in which global history has a local impact.

For decades, Milwaukee has been home to waves of Korean immigrants, adoptees, and veterans whose stories have rarely been told in the mainstream. The Milwaukee Independent series aimed to change that, providing a platform for those voices. It traced Milwaukee’s Korean connections through personal narratives, examining the city’s place in the broader history of the Korean Peninsula, as well as how those histories have shaped Milwaukee’s own cultural and social structure.

What made the series so unique was its ability to seamlessly blend personal stories with historical perspectives and contemporary issues. The result was a narrative that spoke with an intimate perspective, giving readers a sense of the cultural richness of Korea while also exploring what it means to be Korean American in Milwaukee.

One of the standout aspects of the series was its focus on the Korean DMZ, known as one of the most heavily militarized borders in the world. The series took readers to the tense and politically charged space, offering insights into the history of the division between North and South Korea and its continued impact on the Korean people.

But it also brought the story back to Milwaukee, where veterans who served in Korea and at the DMZ shared their reflections on the experience. The stories offered a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the ways in which international events shape the lives of individuals and communities far from the front lines.

SeonJoo So Oh, a Korean-American artist in Milwaukee, has dedicated her life to preserving and sharing Korean culture through the traditional art of paper folding, jongie-jupgi.

John T. Chisholm, before becoming Milwaukee County District Attorney, served as an infantry officer along the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during the tense final years of the Cold War.

Dan Odya served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era but was stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the early 1970s.

Dick Cavalco, now 92, lived through significant historical events, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the Korean War.

Glenn Dohrmann, born in 1926, overcame a difficult childhood as an orphan on a farm to become a decorated Korean War veteran.

Jessica Boling, born in Seoul and adopted by an American family as a baby, grew up in a predominantly White community, often feeling different and facing subtle racism.

Emma Daisy Gertel, a Korean adoptee raised in Wisconsin, navigated the complexities of her identity while growing up in a predominantly White community.

Rick Wood, a veteran Milwaukee photojournalist, had the rare opportunity to visit North Korea in 1995 as part of a humanitarian mission, one of only about 200 Americans granted access in nearly 50 years.

Jin, a North Korean defector, shared her extraordinary journey from life under a repressive regime to finding freedom in South Korea.

Karyn Althoff Roelke has been actively involved with Stars and Stripes Honor Flight since 2014, helping to provide veterans, particularly those of the Korean War, with a meaningful and emotional journey to Washington DC.

Pastor Heechang Kang, a Korean immigrant in Milwaukee, leads his community by helping fellow Korean Americans balance faith with the realities of life in the U.S.

Kenny Yoo, a Korean-American photojournalist from Milwaukee, faced numerous challenges growing up with dyslexia in a culturally isolated environment, compounded by bullying due to his heritage.

Jason S. Yi, an artist who moved from South Korea to the United States as a child, explores identity and culture through his work.

Christopher Michael Doll grew up in a small town in Minnesota and experienced a significant cultural shift when he moved to South Korea, where he spent over a decade.

Christopher Wing, a Milwaukee native, moved to South Korea in 2009 after a decade in San Francisco working as an art director.

Kyoung Ae Cho, an artist from South Korea, embraces her Korean heritage and identity, symbolized through her decision to retain her given name despite living in the U.S. since 1988.

Dr. Byung-il Choi, born in 1941 in Seoul, South Korea, experienced a tumultuous childhood during Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War, which deeply influenced his dedication to medicine.

Tina Melk, owner of K-Pop Utopia in West Allis, opened Wisconsin’s first dedicated K-pop store to bring Korean music and culture to Milwaukee.

Hyunjoo Han, originally from a small Korean village, embarked on an unexpected journey when she moved to Milwaukee to study at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in her 40s.

WonWoo Chung, born and raised in South Korea, spent many of her formative years in Milwaukee, navigating the challenges of balancing her Korean identity with the experiences of living in a different culture.

Hoyoon Min, a South Korean student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has navigated life between two cultures, balancing his studies in the U.S. with the call of duty in his homeland.

Jinseon Kim, an artist from Seoul, has spent over a decade exploring and documenting the city’s diverse landscapes and culture through various artistic media, including drawings, photographs, and written reports.

In many ways, Exploring Korea: Stories from Milwaukee to the DMZ and across a Divided Peninsula represents a landmark achievement in local journalism. By combining in-depth reporting with personal stories, historical perspectives, and stunning visuals, the series has created a lasting legacy that will resonate with readers for years to come. Milwaukee Independent once again demonstrated its commitment to uncovering stories that matter, both locally and globally.