Chapter 1: The K-Drama Epiphany

Recently, I had a K-Drama marathon and came across a series titled Queen of Tears. If you're a fan of these dramas, you might have noticed that some titles can be misleading. Often, they don't accurately reflect the storyline. Contrary to what the title suggests, Queen of Tears centers around a young woman in her twenties, born into affluence, who is the CEO of a prominent department store in South Korea. Despite her success, her four-year marriage to a charming lawyer crumbles, and she faces a devastating diagnosis of a rare brain cancer, leaving her with just three months to live.

This heart-wrenching tale struck a chord with me, especially since I come from a lineage of entrepreneurs. My parents, both business-minded, have cultivated several thriving enterprises, even after my father's passing three years ago. They ventured into real estate together, while my mother, who retired from her formal job before my father, engaged in various entrepreneurial endeavors.

During my time at home, I actively assisted my mother in her business. She believed in involving her children in her work. My involvement started as early as medical school, where I learned record-keeping from her, improving my skills over time.

For thirty years, I was deeply embedded in family life, but I struggled with the feeling of dependency. My real chance to carve out my own identity came when I moved to North America. There, without immediate family to rely on, I was forced to rebuild my life from scratch.

Since then, my mother has had to scale back her operations, especially as a widow with most of her children having moved out. Despite her vibrant spirit, I often wonder how she manages to cope with this slow-down—perhaps through positive self-talk.

During the Christmas holidays, my parents operated a guesthouse in the countryside. After my father's death, my mother took charge with the help of a handyman. Unfortunately, the handyman quit unexpectedly last Christmas, leaving my mother feeling overwhelmed. It was during this time that I felt the strong urge to return home to assist her. However, my sisters advised against it, suggesting that my brothers, being closer, should step in.

As I navigated the challenges of being a migrant, I often reflected on how much smoother things might have been had I stayed home. I realized that the dedication and effort I was investing in other people's businesses could have been directed toward our family enterprise. Moreover, my parents, especially at their age, could greatly benefit from my support.

Despite these reflections, I haven't made the decision to go back home yet. My husband is hesitant about the idea, believing we should create a welcoming environment that would entice my mother to visit and perhaps not want to leave. Additionally, my mother seems to have accepted my move as permanent. We maintain a routine of mandatory Zoom calls on weekends, supplemented by occasional weekday chats focusing on my family and career growth.

Interestingly, this past weekend, my husband noticed that the exchange rate between the dollar and our home currency had plummeted. He jokingly remarked, "At this rate, we might just pack our bags and head home." I chuckled and replied, "As long as you’re not concerned about the lack of infrastructure back home, we’ll be fine. After all, we have sunshine, delicious food, and a family business waiting for us."

Chapter 2: The Family Business Reality

In this episode, tensions rise as family dynamics shift in The Family Business.

Join us for a live aftershow discussion of the latest events in The Family Business Season 5, Episode 3.