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Matching Day

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Dawon and Daniel

Journey location: Canada

At a glance

Introduction

Hi, we’re Daniel (42) and Dawon (40), a South Korean couple living in Hong Kong. We’ve been best friends for over 20 years and married since 2013. After a long and heartfelt journey through infertility and loss, we’re embracing surrogacy with deep gratitude and hope for the future.

Daniel works as a branch manager and compliance officer at a fintech company, and I (Dawon) am a marketing manager at a global media company. We’re a balanced team—Daniel is super warm, curious, and full of creative energy, while I find joy in thoughtful routines and quiet moments.

We grew up between cultures—Daniel in South Korea, France, and the U.S., and I in South Korea, U.S. and Italy (by a sheer coincidence, we grew up in same continent during similar times!)—which shaped our open-mindedness and deep respect for different perspectives. We dream of raising a child in a home filled with laughter, love, and stories that honor where they came from—including the extraordinary woman who helped bring them into the world.

Thank you for considering getting to know us!

Daniel & Dawon

Relationship status

Married

What country are you doing your surrogacy journey in?

Canada

Learn more about Surrogacy in Canada by reading the AHRA guidelines

Some embryo information

We currently have four PGTA-tested day-5 embryos stored at our fertility clinic in Hong Kong. These embryos were created using our own egg and sperm.

We are in the process of shipping the embryos to Canada, and we’ve already received clearance for the transfer through Create Fertility Centre in Toronto.

Lawyer

Cindy Wasser

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Dawon (She/Her)

41 years old

Communicates in English

Occupation

Marketing Manager, Media company

Religion

Christianity

Fun facts about me
  • I may seem calm and composed at first, but I can be surprisingly goofy— I do show off my silly dance moves that I invented to Daniel when no one’s watching!

  • I grew up in the U.S, South Korea and Italy, and my childhood was spent moving across continents. That experience exposed me to so many cultures and ways of life, and it made me passionate about building friendships across borders and learning from people of all backgrounds.

  • I’m a collector of little memories—birthday cards, handwritten notes, even ticket stubs—each one tucked away like a time capsule.

Interests and hobbies

I find joy in the quiet rhythms of everyday life—curling up with a good novel, watching Korean dramas, or planning thoughtful surprises for the people I love. I’m most recharged by peaceful moments in nature, whether it’s a walk along Hong Kong’s hiking trails or a quiet beach picnic with Daniel.

One of my favorite things to do is create memory albums and collect letters, cards, and other little keepsakes—like a living scrapbook of our journey that grows with every chapter we share.

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Daniel (He/Him)

42 years old

Communicates in English

Occupation

Branch manager, Fintech company

Religion

Christianity

Fun facts about me
  • I still keep my childhood Ninja Turtle doll that was a gift from my father (his name is Lianado!) and we’ve been best friends for over 30 years.

  • I have over 30 stuffed animals at home—and I care about each one of them deeply. They’re part of the family!

  • I grew up in South Korea, France, and the U.S. I was nervous every time I had to adjust to a new environment, but each move shaped who I am today and made me more open, adaptable, and empathetic.

  • I once competed in a CrossFit competition, hold a guitar teaching license, a Japanese language certification, and have run in more marathons than I can count!

Interests and hobbies

I’m a self-declared “hobby collector”—there’s always something new I’m exploring. Right now it’s swimming and yoga, but I also love jogging, hiking Hong Kong’s scenic trails, playing the guitar, diving into new tech, and learning languages (currently learning Japanese).

I find joy in movement, creativity, and curiosity. And I have a soft spot for storytelling—whether through writing, music, or games.

What my friends say

People say I’m warm, empathetic, and deeply curious. I love connecting with others and hearing their stories. I think my friends see me as someone who’s open-hearted, thoughtful, and a little playful. I try to bring kindness into every conversation, and I’m always up for encouraging someone who’s going through a hard time.

Our story

We’re Dawon and Daniel, a married couple originally from South Korea, now living in Hong Kong. Our story began more than 20 years ago, when we met as teenagers in an after-school class while preparing for university exams. Both of us had recently returned to Korea after spending our high school years abroad—Daniel in France, and I (Dawon) in Italy. That shared experience of growing up across cultures gave us a unique connection. We became close friends, and for nearly a decade, we leaned on each other through life’s ups and downs. Eventually, we realized what we had was something truly special. We started dating, and a year later, we were married.

We’ve now been married since 2013. Over the last 12 years, our love has grown into a true partnership—rooted in respect, trust, laughter, and faith. We’ve built a life that reflects who we are: steady, thoughtful, a little quirky, and full of heart.

Daniel is warm, curious, and genuinely kind. He works as a branch manager and compliance officer at a fintech company, but what makes him shine is his ability to make others feel seen and cared for. He loves discovering new hobbies—he’s a certified guitar instructor, holds a Japanese language certification, has competed in CrossFit, and has run in countless marathons. But what truly sets him apart is his childlike heart: he still treasures the Ninja Turtle doll he’s had since he was seven (that his father won in simple hoops game in Las Vegas), and he lovingly cares for the 30+ stuffed animals in our home—each one with its own name and story.

I (Dawon) work in marketing at a global media company, and I’m often described as thoughtful and steady. I love the quiet routines of daily life—reading novels, watching Korean dramas, walking scenic trails, or collecting cards, letters, and photos into our handmade memory albums. I may be more reserved than Daniel, but I have a playful side too—especially when we break out into silly dances at home. My upbringing across continents taught me to embrace different cultures, and to build relationships with people from all walks of life.

We laugh a lot, support each other deeply, and genuinely enjoy building a meaningful life together. We both love nature—whether it’s hiking in Hong Kong or traveling to immerse ourselves in nature where we recharge ourselves.

Our path to parenthood has not been easy. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and later discovered I have a heart-shaped uterus, making natural conception incredibly difficult. Over the 10+ years, we’ve undergone 12 IVF cycles, five hysteroscopies, and uterus corrective surgery. Each cycle brought new hope—and each miscarriage brought deep heartbreak. We experienced three consecutive pregnancy losses, the last of which was particularly devastating. I still remember rushing to the hospital after bleeding began late one night, praying for a miracle. That night didn’t end the way we hoped—but it confirmed just how deeply we want to become parents.

Through these years, we’ve grown stronger as a couple. Our faith has been a constant source of strength, reminding us to hold on to hope even when the way forward feels uncertain. We’ve also come to see that surrogacy is not just a medical solution—it’s a human journey of compassion, connection, and trust. It’s a path we enter with humility and gratitude.

We now have four PGTA-tested embryos, and they are ready to be shipped to Canada for this journey. We’re ready to support and walk alongside a surrogate who feels comfortable with us—someone who we can build an open, honest, and mutually respectful relationship with. Though we’re based in Hong Kong, we plan to stay closely connected throughout the process with regular messages, video calls, and visits to Canada whenever possible - if our surrogate feels comfortable with it.

If we’re lucky enough to match with a surrogate, we want her to know this: you will be deeply appreciated, supported, and never taken for granted. Your well-being will always be a priority to us. We see surrogacy as a shared journey—one that will forever be part of our family’s story.

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Matching preferences

Surrogate requirements
  • Age: 25 to 42 years old but we are flexible!

  • Based in Canada

  • Previous Healthy Pregnancy: Has carried at least one full-term, uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery.

  • Non-smoker, No alcohol during pregnancy

Personal preferences

More than anything, we hope to connect with a surrogate who values kindness, mutual respect, and open communication. We would love to build a relationship where both sides feel comfortable, heard, and supported—whatever that looks like for her. Whether we’re texting updates, checking in on milestones, or just sharing the occasional life moment, we want it to feel natural and genuine.

We’d be especially grateful to match with someone who is emotionally grounded, thoughtful, and takes good care of herself physically and mentally—not out of pressure, but because her well-being truly matters to us.

We deeply respect boundaries and would never want anyone to feel overwhelmed or overextended. That said, we would be so happy to stay connected and involved in a way that feels right for everyone—from regular messages to sharing moments of joy along the way.

Contact us to learn more