Singer Insoon Kim has been selected as a recipient of the "Woman of Influence Award" given by Pearl S. Buck International. This marks the first time a Korean has received the award in 25 years since the late Lee Hee-ho in 2000.
On the 15th, Pearl S. Buck International announced Insoon as this year's awardee on its website, introducing her as "a seasoned R&B and gospel singer as well as a humanitarian, and an advocate for multiracial and multicultural youth."
It continued, "Born to a Korean mother and an African American father after the Korean War, Insoon grew up under the care of her mother, who benefited from Pearl S. Buck International's child sponsorship program," adding that she overcame deeply rooted social racism to achieve success in the music industry and became a widely recognized figure in her homeland.
In particular, it highlighted her establishment of the multicultural alternative school "Haemil School" in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, in 2013 as one of her significant contributions. "Haemil" is a native Korean word meaning "the clear sky after rain," and Haemil School supports multiracial and multicultural students through tuition-free education. Currently, Insoon serves as the chairman of Haemil School and is also active as a board member of the Korean branch of Pearl S. Buck International, the "Korea Pearl Buck Foundation."
Insoon is expected to attend the awards ceremony to be held on the 21st (local time) in Pennsylvania, United States.