I grew up on a small farm in the South Korean countryside. In 2002 I moved to Toronto, where I lived with three dogs, and a chubby cat for 17 years.
When I was young, there were always animals on the farm: chickens, pigs, cows, and dogs. But I never paid much attention to them. Unfortunately, they were no more than a financial means for my poor family.
EK with her babies Samsoon, Hamish and Tavish in Toronto
But my three dogs, Samsoon, Tavish, Hamish, and the obnoxious cat, Nabi, changed my perspective. Living with these wonderful creatures has opened my eyes and heart towards the voiceless animals who feel love, joy, and pain just like us.
Over the years, I began to grow strong empathy for the pain and suffering that many animals endure at the hands of human beings. I know that deep inside my mind there is sadness and guilt for the animals on my parents’ old farm, with whom I’ve never had a chance to say sorry and thanks.
As a photographer and videographer I’d like to give a voice to the animals suffering due to human ignorance, greed and neglect. I believe that all beings are interconnected. When animals suffer, we all suffer. I’m trying to return what I’ve already received from animals, unconditional love and kindness. That’s why I started Free Korean Dogs.
