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I’ve been watching K-dramas for more than two decades. What started as curiosity about Korean storytelling quickly became an appreciation for the values woven throughout many of these series: family, sacrifice, respect for elders, and leaving something meaningful for the next generation.
As I enjoy these shows along with my own family during Make-A-Will month, I can’t help but be reminded of how they connect to my work helping donors plan legacy gifts. Whether it’s a heartwarming family drama, a sweeping historical epic, or even a suspenseful legal thriller, one message seems to appear again and again: our lives are ultimately measured by how we care for others and the legacy we leave behind.
Our Mission
For more than a century, Catholic Charities of New York has walked alongside New Yorkers during some of life’s most difficult moments, serving children and families, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, individuals with disabilities, New Americans, and anyone seeking hope in a time of crisis.
A couple of recent initiatives particularly reflect the themes of family, protection, and hope that appear so often in K-dramas.
When extreme heat waves brought in apparent temperatures exceeding 100°F, our staff mobilized to distribute 1,200 fans to older New Yorkers. The fans are an energy-efficient (low-cost) way to protect these elders, who got them at our neighborhood centers along with our usual food pantries and nutrition classes. We made sure that the older adults in our community, who are especially vulnerable to heat waves, received essential protection, and assured them that they weren’t alone.
Then there’s our participation in New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides jobs and career path guidance for people aged 14–24. Our Alianza Division organized a series of lunch-and-learn sessions for high school participants. They met with personal finance experts, a diversity of career professionals, higher education experts, and even elected officials. They asked tough questions of these experts, tackling consequential issues while learning about the specifics of building their ideal careers.
These concurrent campaigns saw two generations, younger and older, taking action to secure their and their family’s future with the help of our dedicated staff and volunteers.
As Catholic Charities of New York CEO J. Antonio Fernández recently told Pix11 News, “I am here to feed people and help people, but they also have to be able to help themselves.” He reminds us that charity isn’t simply about responding to emergencies; it’s about helping families build a future with dignity and stability.
Drama Imitates Life
That mission feels remarkably similar to some of my favorite K-dramas. Reply 1988 remains one of the most beloved family dramas because it celebrates the everyday moments that become lifelong memories. Parents quietly make sacrifices for their children, neighbors become extended family, and generations support one another through life’s joys and challenges.
Navillera tells the moving story of an elderly man pursuing his lifelong dream to become a ballet dancer while reconnecting with his family. It beautifully illustrates that our later years can still be filled with purpose, while also highlighting the importance of preserving relationships before it’s too late.
Then there are dramas like Extraordinary Attorney Woo, where estate disputes, inheritance questions, and family conflicts become legal cases that reveal much deeper emotional issues. Behind every will or trust case is a family with hopes, expectations, and sometimes unresolved tensions.
Shows like Reborn Rich, Queen of Tears, Graceful Family, and Mine feature powerful families, competing heirs, contested wills, and battles over family fortunes. While these stories are heightened for television, they reflect a universal truth: when wishes aren’t clearly communicated, uncertainty can create conflict during an already emotional time.
Thankfully, real life doesn’t have to resemble a K-drama.
How Our Values Can Make a Real Difference
For many people of faith, legacy includes the ministries and organizations that have shaped their lives and strengthened their communities. For generations, Catholic Charities of New York has accompanied individuals and families throughout our Archdiocese through some of life’s most difficult moments, providing food, shelter, counseling, legal disaster relief, and countless other programs that reflect the Catholic commandment to care for our neighbors.
Including a charitable bequest in your estate plan is one way to ensure those works of mercy continue long into the future. Through a will, trust, beneficiary designation, or another planned gift, you can create a legacy that reflects both your love for your family and your commitment to helping others.
Just as K-dramas remind us that our actions echo across generations, estate planning offers an opportunity to intentionally shape the future. Rather than leaving difficult questions behind, you can leave clarity, security, and hope. The most meaningful legacies aren’t measured solely by what we own. They’re measured by the people we love, the values we pass on, and the lives we continue to touch.
If you’ve been considering creating or updating your estate plan, or if you’d like to learn how a charitable bequest can support both your loved ones and the mission of Catholic Charities of New York, visit our Planned Giving website to explore your options, or contact me at emily.chau@catholiccharitiesny.org. Thoughtful planning today can become an enduring expression of faith, compassion, and love for generations to come.
Learn more: https://catholiccharitiesny.giftplans.org
