K-Pop Demon Hunters: Shame and the Journey of Reclaiming Your Identity
Have you watched K-Pop Demon Hunters yet?
This vibrant, powerful film isn’t just another animated feature—it’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever been told to hide, to be perfect, to bear the weight of expectations in silence.
And for many in the Asian community, that story feels all too familiar.
The Intersection of Asian Mental Health and Shame
In my work as a therapist, I often hold space for Asian and Asian American clients who carry invisible wounds—generational trauma, cultural shame, and the internalized pressure to be "good," "grateful," or "perfect."
Recently, after working with a queer Asian client, I found myself reflecting on how their story mirrored the core message of K-Pop Demon Hunters. I wrote this in reflection:
“I was scared to be seen, scared to be me,
Hiding my fire, trying to flee.
Now I shine with nothing to hide.
The parts they feared, I wear with pride.”
This is what healing looks like—not erasing our cultural identity, but reclaiming it on our own terms.
What Cultural Shame Tries to Take
If you grew up in an Asian household—or any environment that prioritized image, achievement, or family reputation—you may have learned to:
Push away your feelings
Hide your needs
Stay silent even when it hurts
Fit into a mold that was never made for you
The pressure to be the “model minority,” to succeed without struggle, or to never talk about mental health is a lot—and it often leaves people feeling isolated, disconnected, and ashamed of their true selves.
But here’s the truth: you are not too much. You never were.
Reclaiming Your Identity Is an Act of Power
Therapy can be a space where you unlearn the need to shrink.
Together, we can explore how cultural identity, family dynamics, and trauma have shaped your relationship with yourself. We’ll work to heal the parts of you that were told to stay quiet—and amplify the parts that are ready to speak, move, and shine.
You don’t need to choose between honoring your roots and living fully.
You can do both.
You Deserve to Be Seen—Fully and Freely
Whether you’re navigating the complexities of Asian identity, unpacking family trauma, or learning to express emotions that were never “allowed,” know this:
You're allowed to heal.
You're allowed to take up space.
You’re allowed to be unapologetically you.
I specialize in working with Asian clients and other marginalized communities who are ready to reclaim their stories and reconnect with their inner fire.
📍 Based in Greater Boston, Massachusetts | Providing virtual sessions
📅 Book your intake here.