In this episode of Identified with Nabil Ayers, Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast explores family, Korean identity, mixed-race identity, grief, language, heritage, and belonging. The conversation traces her family’s history, her upbringing in Oregon, and the experiences that shaped her understanding of herself and her place between cultures.  

Michelle recounts discovering a diary written by her mother in 1978, learning Korean as an adult, moving to Korea, and reconnecting with family history through language and memory. She also reflects on growing up mixed-race, finding identity through music, and the journey that led from an unpublished essay about Korean food and grief to the bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart.  

Guest: Michelle Zauner
Host: Nabil Ayers
Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji
Produced by: Palm Tree Island

00:00 Discovering her mother’s diary
01:45 Growing up without a musical family
03:00 The hidden family history of performers
05:15 Finding identity through music
07:00 Growing up mixed-race in Oregon
09:10 Wanting to be a “neutral body”
11:00 Learning Korean later in life
13:10 Moving to Korea and reconnecting with family
15:00 Meeting her 21-year-old mother through a diary
18:00 The origins of Crying in H Mart
21:00 Rejection, success, and changing careers
23:30 Building a family through music
25:00 What family means now


Identified is a podcast series that explores identity, race, culture, and family through personal conversations. Hosted by author and music executive Nabil Ayers, each episode dives into lived experiences that reveal how our backgrounds shape who we are—and how we find belonging.

Nabil is the author of My Life in the Sunshine (Viking, 2022), and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, and GQ on themes of race, music, and personal history. He’s also the President of Beggars Group US, co-founder of Sonic Boom Records, and founder of the record label The Control Group / Valley of Search.

Identified brings together notable voices for reflective, vulnerable conversations about where we come from—and where we’re going.

In this episode of Identified with Nabil Ayers, Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast explores family, Korean identity, mixed-race identity, grief, language, heritage, and belonging. The conversation traces her family&rsquo;s history, her upbringing in Oregon, and the experiences that shaped her understanding of herself and her place between cultures. &nbsp;
Michelle recounts discovering a diary written by her mother in 1978, learning Korean as an adult, moving to Korea, and reconnecting with family history through language and memory. She also reflects on growing up mixed-race, finding identity through music, and the journey that led from an unpublished essay about Korean food and grief to the bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart. &nbsp;
Guest: Michelle Zauner Host: Nabil Ayers Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji Produced by: Palm Tree Island
00:00 Discovering her mother&rsquo;s diary 01:45 Growing up without a musical family 03:00 The hidden family history of performers 05:15 Finding identity through music 07:00 Growing up mixed-race in Oregon 09:10 Wanting to be a &ldquo;neutral body&rdquo; 11:00 Learning Korean later in life 13:10 Moving to Korea and reconnecting with family 15:00 Meeting her 21-year-old mother through a diary 18:00 The origins of Crying in H Mart 21:00 Rejection, success, and changing careers 23:30 Building a family through music 25:00 What family means now
 Identified is a podcast series that explores identity, race, culture, and family through personal conversations. Hosted by author and music executive Nabil Ayers, each episode dives into lived experiences that reveal how our backgrounds shape who we are&mdash;and how we find belonging.
Nabil is the author of My Life in the Sunshine (Viking, 2022), and has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, and GQ on themes of race, music, and personal history. He&rsquo;s also the President of Beggars Group US, co-founder of Sonic Boom Records, and founder of the record label The Control Group / Valley of Search.
Identified brings together notable voices for reflective, vulnerable conversations about where we come from&mdash;and where we&rsquo;re going.

Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.

In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.

Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?

Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.

The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.

Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.
In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.
Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?
Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.
The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.

Identified with Nabil Ayers

Welcome to 'Identified', a podcast hosted by Nabil Ayers, music executive and author of 'My Life in the Sunshine'. This show explores the intricate and often complicated world of family and identity.
In his memoir, Nabil shared his journey of understanding his mixed-race identity, navigating a distant relationship with his father, renowned jazz musician Roy Ayers, and discovering new family connections. 'Identified' continues this exploration, broadening the scope to encompass universal themes of family dynamics.
Join Nabil as he engages in heartfelt conversations that traverse cultural histories, the impact of non-traditional childhoods, and the ways our relationships shape our identities. Through personal stories, the show confronts the challenges of loss and grief, while celebrating the unique bonds that define us. Each episode seeks to answer the profound question: What is family?
Discover remarkable stories from individuals of diverse backgrounds as 'Identified' unravels the complexities that make family so unique.
The executive producer for 'Identified' is Kieron Banerji, and is produced by Palm Tree Island.