Emily was born in Seoul, South Korea but lived most of her life in Northern Virginia. She graduated from Emory University in 2024 with a double major in psychology and highest honors in cultural anthropology concentrating in mind, body, and well-being.

At her time at Emory, Emily grew her passion for cultural mental health into a broader appreciation of systems, well-being, and social justice. Her thesis centered on the intersection of identity, beliefs, and well-being as she explored how the Asian American identity related to extrinsic and intrinsic belief systems. She was involved in the newly initiated Social Empathy Lab as well as the Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) chapter at Emory, where she learned to cultivate and apply her heart for those often unseen. 

Emily continues to stay in the Atlanta area in Duluth, Georgia. She spends her days going to cafes, eating good food, and spending time with her friends.