Born and raised in South Korea, Soomee grew up dreaming of becoming a pianist but decided to serve people and graduated with a nursing degree from Yonsei University. She grew up in church watching her mother serve and enjoying all ministry experiences. Her serving began by singing in the kids choir and playing the piano for worship gatherings. 

Soomee worked as a nurse at Samsung Hospital in Seoul and after moving to the United States, she worked at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City and at Stanford Hospital. She heard God’s calling to pursue kids’ ministry as her career while serving as a Sunday school teacher and a kids’ lay leader at church. She earned her Early Childhood Education and Administration certificate and graduated with a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from Gateway Seminary. Prior to joining NBCC, Soomee served as a children’s pastor for 4 years at a local church. 

Soomee and her husband Eugene have been happily married since 2005 and are blessed with two kids, Alison and Harrison, as well as the family dog, Zafra. Outside of ministry, Soomee spends her time cheering at her kids’ sporting events and connecting with family and friends. The craziest thing she has tried is getting certified for scuba diving. She is now looking to learn a new style of jazzy contemporary piano playing.