The Other 40%

What is Korean American life like outside the Korean Christian bubble? Annie and Sharon sit down with Christina Kam, a second-generation Korean American therapist who grew up in Los Angeles without being raised in the Korean church. Christina shares how she first encountered Korean Christianity in high school, why she later joined church and campus ministries in search of cultural belonging, and what it felt like to remain an outsider within a close-knit religious community. Their conversation explores the powerful connection between church, immigration, and Korean American identity—as well as Korean Buddhism, temple traditions, spirituality, and the difference between faith and institutional religion. Christina also reflects on being evangelized by friends, navigating religious judgment, and maintaining meaningful relationships with Christians while choosing a different path for herself. Together, they consider why churches remain essential sources of community, survival, and support for many Korean immigrants, even when those same spaces can feel rigid or exclusionary. The episode offers a thoughtful look at belonging, religious curiosity, and what the Korean American experience can look like beyond the church. In this episode we cover: 00:00 — Korean American life outside Christianity 05:45 — Meet Christina Kam 08:03 — Discovering Korean church culture 16:36 — Evangelization, judgment, and religious pressure 22:19 — Campus ministries and the search for belonging 32:29 — Buddhism, spirituality, and Korean traditions 42:27 — Identity, community, and leaving church 47:42 — What Christina gained from her experience 58:36 — Coexisting across religious differences 62:00 — The hosts reflect on religion and raising children 66:24 — Closing and season-finale preview Sharon Kwon, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist, writer, and founder of Bodhi Aware Therapy. Sharon specializes in working with Korean Americans who have struggled with overcoming religious trauma and spiritual abuse. She has worked in private and community mental health settings with immigrant families struggling with intergenerational trauma. Sharon’s writing has been published in Huff Post, SLATE Magazine, SELF Magazine, and Psychology Today. Sharon is an avid traveller and fan of all things “K”—dramas, food, soccer, etc. She is currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Get to know her on Instagram @talkwithsharon or via her website: www.sharonkwon.com. Sion Lim (임시온) is a self-proclaimed “Koreanist” with a special passion to learn more about Korean Diaspora all over the world. She goes by her naturalized middle name, Annie. Her desire to connect with her K-side stems from her days as a graduate student at SOAS and as a former educator at Osaka Board of Education and Stanford University. Before becoming a podcaster, Annie's latest career adventure was with Silicon Valley corporations (fun!) ranging from Samsung to video games before the AI takeover. She currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and 3 kitties and would share more with you through her instagram, @sionannielim. If you enjoyed our podcast, please don't forget to rate us and leave a comment! Follow us on Instagram @2pkspod to connect with us. Episode Credits: Produced by Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim Mixed by Abdul Wasay Music: Risen by Gavin Luke via Epidemic Sounds Links: Follow us on our website and on Instagram!