choa’s fourth volume explores the various sociocultural and political ways sex exists in the lives of Korean diasporic women on Turtle Island (North America) and in Korea. Sex is an expression of life, power, and connection. Indigenous peoples and our halmonis teach us the importance of reclaiming sexual agency and justice as a means to reclaim our bodies, our stories, and our sovereignty. Continued.
VOLUME 4 | 2025
Illustration by Hokyoung Kim
Sex is a private yet universal experience that is collectively and individually (re)negotiated over lifetimes.
For Volume 4, we are exploring the theme of sex within complex and multilayered physical, psychological, relational, cultural, and political contexts. When you were growing up, how did you learn about sex? What kind of influences had an impact on your understanding and experience of sex? How do you relate sex to the ways that your body changes over a lifetime, from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy and/or menopause? How do you take care of your sexual and reproductive health? Have you experienced sex differently for work versus pleasure or family planning?
The experience of sex is open to interpretation, from the (un)pleasurable and kinky to the challenging or different.
For Volume 4, we are exploring the theme of sex within complex and multilayered physical, psychological, relational, cultural, and political contexts. When you were growing up, how did you learn about sex? What kind of influences had an impact on your understanding and experience of sex? How do you relate sex to the ways that your body changes over a lifetime, from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy and/or menopause? How do you take care of your sexual and reproductive health? Have you experienced sex differently for work versus pleasure or family planning?
The experience of sex is open to interpretation, from the (un)pleasurable and kinky to the challenging or different.
"But it was precisely this tension that drew us to this theme: to dive into its complexity and how it threads through our lives, often in ways we don't fully recognize."
Founders Harriet Kim and Mirae Lee reflect on their decision to choose this theme and the journey it led them on.
With cover art by Hokyoung Kim
Founders Harriet Kim and Mirae Lee reflect on their decision to choose this theme and the journey it led them on.
With cover art by Hokyoung Kim
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Jayci Lee on Writing Romance Novels, the Role of Purity Culture within Korean Diasporas, and Joy without Shame
“I'm not trying to teach you anything except to share a message about the importance of consent, about sex positivity, about female pleasure, and how none of those choices, or enjoyment, should be hindered by shame.” |
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Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim on Liberation Theology, the Role of Dominance in Christianity, and Living in Hope
“That white European, particularly male heterosexual theologians, kept saying that white was the best. Then they allowed that message to be shared with everyone else under the guise of Christianity. So these are all intersecting. It's very dangerous. And then we experienced that in our churches.” |
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Anna Lee on Tracking Intimacy, Addressing Gaps in Sex Research, and Why Knowledge is Pleasure
“We often like to say that orgasms are the canary in the coal mine for health conditions. In fact, there has been billions of dollars that have gone into research in understanding male sexual functions, but there has been a huge lack of research within female sexual functions.” |
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Michelle Ye Hee Lee on Korea's Declining Birth Rate, Gender Realities, and Shifting Social Landscape
“The idea that South Korea’s low birth rate is driven by an anti-patriarchy movement of women refusing to even date anyone is just not accurate, even though it has gone so viral online among diasporic Koreans and others.” |
Special thanks to Volume 4 & 5 donors:
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Arkady Arkhangorodsky
Aysha Valkema Boeun Kim Caroline Chung Christie Wong Claire Kim Daph Ben David |
Erin Kang
Frances Kim Janet Kwak Jennifer Lee Jonathan Soo Kate Fane Kevin Matthew Wong |
Ki-Uhn Yi
Leslie Yun Patricia Youn Rosel Kim Shanghoon Jeong Timothy Small Zolza Lee |
