Migration in Dialogue – Aeri Go
Photo of Aeri Go. Courtesy of Alyona Kuzmina.
Aeri Go creates organic, nature-inspired jewelry for the body and home out of metal. After studying fashion in Seoul in the 2010s, the Korean jewelry designer moved to the US on a J-1 visa and gained popularity for her stackable “oom” rings and delicate flower-shaped pendants. After spending time in San Francisco and New York as an independent artist, Aeri is now based in London to study metalsmithing and continue her namesake jewelry line.
Go amassed various visa statuses to work in the US until she gained American citizenship when she married her life partner. Now on a student visa in London, she has learned to embrace the now amidst the paperwork. As part of IMPULSE’s Migration in Dialogue conversation series, Go discusses her journey, the pangs of guilt that come from being a traveling artist, specifically as the eldest daughter, or “jangnyeo,” and how nature informs her work everywhere she goes.
Lisa Kwon: Can you walk me through how you became an American citizen?
Aeri Go: I was always curious about what life in the US would be like and what I might discover about myself in a different cultural context. The media often portrayed the US as an accepting and diverse society, which fueled my desire to experience it firsthand.
My journey through the U.S. immigration system was, in many ways, an ‘alphabet soup’ of visa statuses: F-1, J-1, K-1, green card, and finally, citizenship. It all began with an F-1 student visa, which gave me a glimpse into American life. During that time, I met my then-boyfriend, now life partner, Daniel. When my visa expired, I returned to Korea, and we maintained a long-distance relationship for three years.
After graduating from college, I decided to return to Los Angeles on a J-1 visa. Working as an intern and earning minimum wage made living in LA quite challenging. Managing my physical and mental health was difficult during that period. However, I cherish those times because Daniel was always by my side, and together we felt we could overcome anything. When my J-1 visa expired, I returned to Korea and faced a pivotal decision: either move permanently to the States or stay in Korea. As the first daughter in a Korean family—a role known as “jangnyeo”—leaving my family behind for another country was not easy. Such a decision carries significant responsibility and even guilt.
Work by Aeri Go. Courtesy of Alyona Kuzmina.
LK: I want to hear more about that feeling of guilt. Why was it difficult for you as a “jangnyeo”?
AG: I think the guilt mostly came from my relationship with my mom. She had me when she was really young, so we have this really special bond––not like mother and daughter, but more like friends.
My mom shares so much about herself with me. I think she really wanted someone who listened to her because her generation really didn't have an outlet to express themselves. I was there; I'm a very good listener, and I empathized with her a lot—she really enjoyed having me by her side.
[In my family], I was the person in the center who connected us. It was my biggest responsibility, but I also think that concept was so ingrained that I just put too much pressure on myself. In reality, it wasn’t such a big deal. When I shared my decision [to move to the U.S. permanently] with my parents, they supported me wholeheartedly. Their blessing gave me the strength to move forward.
LK: Did you feel fully assimilated as an American artist after gaining citizenship?
AG: I began to feel assimilated as a Korean American artist when I started receiving heartfelt messages from fellow Asian Americans expressing their support and love for my work. Knowing that my art resonates with others who share similar backgrounds has been incredibly validating. I can only continue with my practice because of their encouragement.
I’d been in the US for eight years before moving to London, and those years were transformative. It’s the country I chose and where I discovered my true self. I feel a deep attachment to my identity as a Korean American. This experience has enriched my art and allows me to contribute to a broader conversation about identity and belonging.
Necklace by Aeri Go. Courtesy of Alyona Kuzmina.
LK: What has London offered you that New York City or San Francisco haven’t?
AG: I’ve become enamored with London’s tree-lined streets, watching the leaves change color and sway in the wind. I didn’t expect my experience in London to be too different from America, given the shared language and cultural similarities. However, I discovered that the UK’s culture and attitudes toward life are uniquely distinct. Compared to New York, London is a much gentler and subtler city. London’s profound appreciation for nature was a significant draw for me—of course, New York has many parks, but in London they’re more integrated into the city.
Recently I found out that the city is actually not built for conserving nature whatsoever. I'm looking into this movement called rewilding. It involves inviting different plants and wildlife back into the city. While the landscape of the UK looks green when you zoom out on a map, a major part of the country is actually agricultural land, meaning that there’s not a lot of wildlife shelter. From an outsider’s perspective, I was very intrigued by [London’s] beauty, but after moving here, I saw more problems that need to be addressed.
LK: Do you think that you'll stay in London after school?
AG: I tend to be influenced by my experiences, so I prefer to plan as I go. I trust that I’ll know intuitively what the next step should be by the end of my program.
LK: How has that attitude informed the immigration process as well as your work?
AG: Navigating immigration has had its highs and lows. From the complexities of visas to the emotional toll of uncertainty and the constant need to adapt, the journey has been challenging. However, I've come to understand the beauty of uncertainty and flow, choosing to follow its lead rather than resist it. These experiences have profoundly shaped my art, teaching me to embrace the process and remain open.
Building a global presence as an immigrant artist has been a lonely journey at times, but it has also granted me full control over my decisions. I love the freedom and flexibility that come with working independently. Starting from scratch in new places, making friends, building communities, and defining my identity have been both challenging and rewarding.
Photo of Aeri Go in her studio. Courtesy of Aeri Go.
LK: How do you tap into the “home” in your heart amidst all the places you’ve called home?
AG: I feel most connected to myself and the world when I’m immersed in nature. I learned how to observe nature after I moved to California. When I was at a very low point, Daniel took me to Newport Beach. It was pitch dark, and you could only hear the sound of the waves. They sounded very big. That made me feel liberated. I was crying. It's so liberating to be that overwhelmed by nature.
When I close my eyes and feel the warmth of the setting sun, smell the earth after rain, or observe the subtle movements of the natural world, I can truly relax. Nature transcends borders and cultures. It provides a universal sense of belonging that grounds me wherever I am. It’s in these serene environments that I find inspiration and a profound sense of home.
LK: What's a piece of advice that you would give your younger self?
AG: I'm still very worrisome, but I was even more worrisome before. I worried about what life and my future would be like—it was all so foggy. I think those were just growing pains, but, I would still want to tell my younger self that you don't really have to worry about those things. Just believe in yourself and take care of yourself, your body, and your mental health.
Work by Aeri Go. Courtesy of Alyona Kuzmina.
This interview was edited for clarity and length.
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