Christelle Pécout, a 44-year-old comic book artist from Paris, France is the general secretary of the Racines coréennes association board. During her midlife crisis in 2015 regarding her origins, she made a comic book about K-pop and went to Korea for the very first time.
Tell us about yourself.
I am interested in a lot of things, all very different. Last night, during our aperitive Zoom time with other adoptees, we talked about many things, such as high frequency trading (hahaha)… Really! I am really interested in submarine films, space exploration, rock festivals, art museums, going for a walk in big cities, and spending some time with friends and family. God, I miss it so much!
At what age were you adopted? What was your childhood like?
I was adopted at five months. I was very happy during my childhood and had the greatest family, very supportive. I was so lucky. I have no memories of Korea. It was a blank page for me.
How did being adopted affect your childhood?
Being different, Asian, but growing up in a white family is not so easy in France. In Marseilles, where I was, there were not so many Asians at the time, but I didn’t suffer too much from racism until adolescence. Being a French Asian woman, it is sometimes very painful, but my little sister and my cousins are also adoptees from Korea, so I didn’t feel alone.
But, I did miss out on the Asian identity.
How connected to Korea were you as a child?
I was not connected at all. I was proud to be born in Korea, but I ignored everything about the small country until this time. It developed very recently for me, in 2015. Now this link is very strong, but I built it on my own through independent access to Korean culture. I call this “my asiatude.”
What are you doing professionally? How did you get into this field?
I have been a comic book artist since 2001 and have at least ten books published. I studied fashion design and comic book art at famous French art schools. I have always been good at drawing and writing. This is my favorite part: creating. I also have a part-time job as an art teacher, and I love it. Sharing my experience and art with young people is really amazing.
How has being adopted affected your professional life?
Well, I very quickly became a freelance artist, so it was okay, but I can say as an adoptee that I had a really harsh time becoming the woman I am today because I didn’t trust myself enough. Lack of confidence…
How has being adopted affected your personal relationships?
This could be a full chapter! Hahaha! Yeah, it’s still very difficult to engage myself in a relationship. I don’t trust people easily, and sometimes, I am not fully confident in myself. But in my friendships, there is no problem.
When did you start getting involved with the adoptee community as an adult? How has it benefited you?
The same year I made my book about K-pop in 2015 was when I started to get involved. You know in France, that was a very difficult year. It began with Charlie Hebdo, and it was a nightmare year for French people, especially for Parisians. But it was my Renaissance year. I engaged myself in so many ways: as a Asian feminist, as an author, and as an adoptee with Racines coréennes. Since then, I have volunteered to be a part of the active board.
Have you been back to Korea? What was your first time back like?
I returned in 2015, and that was my very first time. I had been to Japan, Hong Kong, and China, but never South Korea. It was probably THE time, and it was a blast. Everywhere I had travelled before prepared me for this country. I adore Korea. I feel very good in this country even if I have different opinions about a lot of subjects, especially as a feminist. But, I have travelled to Seoul twice since 2015. The last time was in 2019, and I can’t wait to go back.
What are your ambitions and dreams for the future?
As an adoptee with the association, and our members, I am fully engaged with the second generation. So many of us are parents. I am not, but my nephew is Korean from my sister, who is also a Korean adoptee.
Do you see Korea playing a role in your future? If so, how? If not, why?
Oh yes, of course. I am a part of Korea, and Korea is inside me, too. I would like to go back every year. This year, not being able to go back was very painful. This was a difficult year for everyone, but the association is fully engaged for our members and our kids. We need a stronger link with Korea and between ourselves.
