In Sooni Wins 2025 Women of Influence Award from Pearl S. Buck International
Aug 16, 2025
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Pearl Buck International said on its official website that `Insooni is a humanitarian and a supporter of young people from mixed-race and multicultural backgrounds,' adding `He was born to a Korean mother and an American black father after the Korean War, and was helped by Pearl Buck's sponsorship program as a child"The reason for the award was revealed.
He has overcome social discrimination and prejudice, achieved great success in the Korean music industry, and devoted himself to education and support for multicultural children"In particular, he added that in 2013, he established and operated a multicultural alternative school 'Hamil School' in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, and is currently serving as a director of the Korea Pearl Buck Foundation."
Hamill School is named after the pure Korean word 'Hamil', which means 'clear sky after rain', and is a free boarding alternative school for youth from multicultural families. The number of students, which started with six in the early stages of its establishment, has grown to over 60 now.
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In particular, this award is significant in that it is the first time a former Pearl Buck sponsored child has been selected as the winner. Insooni received tuition, food, clothing, and shelter with the help of the Korea Pearl Buck Foundation when she was in a tight financial situation during her school yearsI still have vivid memories of those days when it was called the sponsorship number '1208'. I feel overwhelmed that the process of trying to return the help to society at that time seems to be rewarded like this. "
In-soon also said "It is difficult to immediately make any grand plans just because she won the award. Rather, my head was full because I was thinking about the educational programs of Hamill School children." Then "Isn't there a saying that 'Korea is crazy about medical school and China is crazy about engineering school?" I hope many science and engineering talents come out among our children and become helpful to the world," he added.
The foundation highly appreciated Insoon's social contribution activities. He has been a director of the Korea Pearl Buck Foundation and chairman of the Korean branch of the supporters' association for more than 20 years, leading welfare and education programs for multicultural, mixed-blooded children and adolescents. The foundation introduced Insooni as a "many award-winning singer, humanitarian, and role model for a multicultural society that has overcome discrimination.".
The ceremony will be held on August 21 (local time) in Perker City, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, Insooni, who debuted with the group 'Hee Sisters' in 1978, has established itself as a leading diva in the popular music industry for 47 years with a number of hits such as 'Nightly Nightly', 'Friendly'Dreams of Goose'.
tokkig@sportschosun.com
