TED: The family I lost in North Korea. And the family I gained. | Joseph Kim

Joseph shares his harrowing journey from famine-stricken North Korea to the United States. He recounts his early struggles with poverty, the loss of his parents, and becoming an orphan. Driven by hope, he escapes to China and eventually finds refuge in the USA. There, a small act of kindness from his foster father inspires him to pursue education and honor his late father. Joseph emphasizes the importance of hope and helping others, sharing personal messages to his missing sister and mother.

What significant event began in 1994 that affected the narrator's family?

• The Korean War

• The Great Famine

• The Cultural Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution

What did the narrator and his sister do early in the morning during the famine?

• Attend school

• Search for firewood

• Play with friends

• Work in the fields

How did the narrator initially try to survive after becoming orphaned?

• By stealing from food carts

• By working in a factory

• By selling handmade crafts

• By begging on the streets

What motivated the narrator to decide to cross the border to China?

• The hope of finding his sister

• A job offer in China

• A desire to see the world

• An opportunity for education

What was the narrator's initial expectation about life in China?

• It would be more difficult than North Korea

• There would be more food and help available

• He would find his sister easily

• He would be immediately caught and sent back

What was the narrator's educational background before arriving in the United States?

• He had completed high school

• He was a top student in North Korea

• He barely finished elementary school

• He had a college degree

What small act of kindness from his foster father changed the narrator's perspective?

• Offering him a job

• Sharing a chicken wing

• Teaching him English

• Giving him a book

What did the narrator promise to do in honor of his father's sacrifice?

• Return to North Korea

• Become a famous chef

• Travel the world

• Study hard and get the best education

What is the narrator's message about hope?

• Hope is given by others

• Hope is unnecessary

• Hope must be made by oneself

• Hope is only for the privileged

What does the narrator encourage people to do for each other?

• Help each other

• Ignore each other's struggles

• Focus only on personal success

• Compete with each other