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Joon Ho Lee

Joon-Ho Lee was a Korean-Chinese mechanical engineer and the husband of Nari Lee. The couple raised two children, Minseo and Minjae, in Tianjin before relocating to Baltimore for Minjae’s medical care. Joon-Ho was autistic and never received a formal diagnosis.

Cultural Identity and Background

Joon-Ho was Korean-Chinese, or Chaoxianzu. He spoke Korean and Mandarin Chinese, as well as accented English. After Minjae’s post-Rome seizure and status-epilepticus crises, the Lee family undertook a lengthy approvals and preparation process during late 2033 and physically relocated from Tianjin to Baltimore in early 2034.

Details of Joon-Ho’s childhood, birthplace, education, and early career were not established.

Career and Daily Life

Joon-Ho worked as a mechanical engineer. After the family’s 2034 move, he was employed by Northrop Grumman, whose insurance covered part of Minjae’s late-2035 hospitalization. His exact role, projects, and employment history were not established.

Joon-Ho applied technical knowledge to practical family needs. He maintained equipment, handled transportation and documentation, and participated in the planning required for Minjae’s medical and access needs.

Health, Disability, and Communication

Main article: Autism Spectrum

Joon-Ho was autistic but had never received a formal diagnosis. His family recognized autistic patterns in his preference for routine, direct communication, methodical problem-solving, and sensory needs. He expressed care most consistently through practical action and reliable follow-through.

Because no clinician had confirmed the diagnosis, his family sometimes described him as likely autistic. They did not pressure him to pursue formal evaluation.

Family and Core Relationships

Nari Lee

Main article: Joon-Ho Lee and Nari Lee

Joon-Ho and Nari were married and shared responsibility for their household and children. During medical crises and major decisions, Joon-Ho tended to focus on logistics and practical action while Nari handled other parts of the family’s care.

Minseo Lee

Minseo was Joon-Ho and Nari’s older child. She became a physician and participated in Minjae’s care, including emergencies involving the family’s wider circle.

Minjae Lee

Joon-Ho supported Minjae through complex disabilities and medical needs. His care included equipment maintenance, transportation, research, documentation, and long-term planning. During the Rome International Piano Competition, Joon-Ho told Minjae, “You make me proud. Always.”

In 2037, Joon-Ho helped lower Cal Ross safely during a collapse at the Lee home. Afterward, he offered the family’s attached apartment to the Ross family with the direct statement, “The apartment is there.” The offer contributed to the Ross family’s later relocation to Baltimore.

When the family was approached about the documentary ‘’I Am Still Me’‘, Joon-Ho initially objected because he feared Minjae would be exploited. The family deferred to Minjae’s decision after Minseo insisted that he be asked directly.

Memorable Quotes

“You make me proud. Always.”

Joon-Ho said this to Minjae during the Rome International Piano Competition.

“The apartment is there.”

Joon-Ho offered the attached apartment to the Ross family after Cal’s 2037 collapse.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters Korean Characters Chinese Characters Neurodivergent Characters Autistic Characters Engineers Lee Family