Outside Mom, Inside Mom captures the everyday experiences of a Korean American boy and his mother. In their daily lives, they navigate between two selves, the person they truly are and the version shaped by how others see them. Through the contrasting versions of how they act inside and outside the home, this book invites readers to reflect on what it means to be themselves and on how we see and understand others.

On the morning of the first day at a new school, both mother and son carefully choose their outfits, not based on what they like, but on how they might be seen by others. At school, the mother is quiet, reserved and avoids asking questions when speaking with the teachers. But once she returns home, she becomes a completely different person, filled with joy, curiosity and vibrant energy. While she is cautious and quiet in public, she is warm and lively at home. This contrast illustrates the tension between an authentic sense of self and the constant awareness of how one is perceived by others, a dynamic that often shapes how immigrants navigate the struggles and challenges of everyday life. Continue reading →