Johnny Kim, a Korean-American astronaut with NASA who returned to Earth on December 9 after completing an eight-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS), recalled that he especially missed Korean food such as kimchi and rice during his time in space.
According to a NASA YouTube video released on December 21 (local time), Johnny Kim said at a recent online press conference, "I was grateful for the wonderful food, including turkey, that was included in the Thanksgiving gift sent from the Johnson Space Center, but the best part was the 'care package' that was sent up just for me." He added, "My family sent me things like kimchi, steamed rice, and seaweed."
He continued, "Those were the foods I grew up eating, but in space, I could hardly have any of them," adding, "It was really nice to be able to experience even a little bit of the taste of home."
On his Instagram account, he had previously shared images of himself preparing food with fellow astronauts on the ISS for Thanksgiving, introducing items such as instant rice and kimchi.
Regarding the impact of his Korean-American identity on his life, Johnny Kim said, "It helped make me who I am today," and added, "It especially made me reflect a lot on empathy."
He explained, "Like many first- or second-generation Americans with immigrant parents, I also felt as if I was between two worlds, and growing up that way, it was sometimes difficult to establish my identity." He continued, "I never felt fully Korean, nor did I feel fully American."
He went on to say, "That was really tough, and going through those challenges gave me a deep understanding of and empathy for others. That has definitely had a strong impact on who I am today."
He also mentioned the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), saying, "I am truly proud and excited. I believe this reflects the benefits that come from ongoing international cooperation, which NASA has been leading."
When asked about his future plans, he said, "The main reason I became an astronaut was not actually to go to space." He added, "Of course, that's part of the job, but for me, the desire to serve scientific exploration on a public service platform like NASA was much greater." He continued, "I would like to go to space again, but I don't feel it is something I absolutely have to do," adding, "I am very passionate about maximizing the value of the people I work with and bringing out the best in everyone."
As for the most beautiful scene he witnessed from space, he chose the 'aurora' that appeared on Earth due to solar activity. He said, "I also witnessed many natural phenomena like hurricanes and tsunamis, which are known to have caused tremendous damage on Earth, but in those moments, I could feel a sense of awe."
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