Letter from the Editor - September 2025

Melissa celebrates her birthday at Mountain Restaurant in Pyeongtaek

Dear Readers,

September always brings a quiet kind of shift, the heat softens, routines take shape again, and there’s a collective sense of starting fresh. It’s also my birthday month, which tends to make me a little more reflective about the ways we grow, stretch, and find grounding with each new chapter.

This issue of United on the RoK leans into that spirit of transition, exploring the many ways our community navigates life overseas with resilience, creativity, and heart.

Pop Mart's Crybaby (Photo captured by: Jetta Allen)

You'll find personal stories that dig deep, reminding us it’s okay to be vulnerable, to feel deeply, and to say bittersweet goodbyes as new beginnings unfold. One story explores how something as simple as a collectible toy became a surprising catalyst for emotional growth, while another reflects on what it means to leave behind a place and/or people that have shaped you.

We're also spotlighting the places and people that make Korea such an incredible place to live. Whether it’s discovering a whimsical café tucked into the countryside, exploring historic neighborhoods beyond the fortress walls of Suwon, or connecting through language exchange meetups in your local city, there’s inspiration in every corner. And as we move into early autumn, you might notice cafés adding seasonal drinks like sweet potato lattes or pumpkin spice lattes, or the first pojangmacha carts serving odeng and hotteok on cooler nights — small reminders of the rhythms that make life here so special.

Hiking Mt. Aspan in Daegu (Photo captured by Sarah Symbalisty)

Because life here isn’t always easy, especially for military families, we’re also diving into topics like adjusting to physical and mental health challenges overseas, finding support in local wellness options, and understanding what resources are available when you need them the most.

This month’s travel and lifestyle content offers a little something for everyone, whether you’re planning a long-haul flight, settling into a new routine, enjoying riverside walks in the crisp evening air, or just looking for a cozy new recipe that feels like home.

Melissa and Chuck with shih tzu daughters Mayhem, Minion, and Sookie (l to r) (photo captured by Photos by Annie Lou)

Wherever you are in your Korea story, just arriving, preparing to leave, or building something in between, we hope this issue brings comfort, curiosity, and connection.

Thank you for being here with us.

Warmly,

Melissa Edwards-Whittington

Managing Editor

United on the RoK Magazine