Empress Han is an Adoptee, Poet, & Artist.
She emerged from the profound loss, trauma, & grief of being severed from one's family, people, & origins through Transracial, Transnational Adoption (TRA/TNA). Empress Han's work frames TRA/TNA within its broader geopolitical context of American imperialism, invasion, & colonialism.
Han is a direct reference to the Korean cultural concept of han, which has been defined as a traumatic loss of identity, both collectively & individually. It has also been described as an intense angst & longing due to unresolved injustice, pain, & suffering.
Empress Han is an assertion of claiming sovereignty over our individual identities & narratives, particularly in the context of having our stories & origins erased.
Empress Han's debut musical poetry album, SHRINE, released on May 1, 2021. The album is an experimental musical exploration adapting poetry to instrumentals & vocals. It includes vocals, spoken word, electronic & acoustic sounds as