KOREAN AMERICAN ADOPTEE: WHAT'S MY IDENTITY?
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2024
- Living in the U.S., I always felt I didn't fit in. When I moved to Korea, I thought I would really find my identity. It turns out, being a Korean American living in Korea can create many identity challenges being a Korean American Adoptee living in Korea. On one hand you are seen as Korean and the other you are American. Monica and I share our personal stories related to discovering our identities.
If you have any questions or comments about being a Korean Adoptee, I read all messages and try to respond to any we receive.
Soundcloud Music: Leonell Cassio - Memories (ft. Anne Lan)
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Check out some of our other Korean Adoptee Videos here:
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My First Korean Adoption Service (KAS) Meeting in Seoul-
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The Downside of Being a Korean Adoptee Living in Korea-
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A Recap of our time in Korea-
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Excellent video and discussion. Seeing the video and reading this discussion certainly enhances what one learns through academic reading. Furthermore, I find parallels with my own mixed, transnational background (non-Asian).
For sure, it is definitely hard to know where we fit in the world at times.
Interesting discussion. Being a Korean adoptee I can understand your struggle with identity. After living for 49 years in the U.S and abroad I can proudly say I am a Korean American, born in Seoul, Korea and grew up here in the U.S. with an American family.
This took me a while to be able to say that. Now living here in Los Angeles and being surrounded with Koreans in koreatown through my wife (who's Korean), church, restaurants, businesses etc. I feel Korean by birth but I am multicultural in the sense of being able to speak Spanish fluently and have lived in latin America. Many Koreans think I may be Chinese because I don't speak Korean, which doesn't bother me. I see myself as an American because when I attend the Korean church everyone speaks Korean, especially when the sermon is in Korean. It's nice to attend to be able to meditate and support my wife. I've tried to learn Korean but have only picked up conversation phrases or words. It's something I don't have a desire to pursue but would be nice to be able to converse. I think that Korean adoptees are especially unique due to our circumstances. We were forced into a new culture and family. We adapted quickly, so for me to be able to try to be more Korean is difficult. Once I commented to my wife about attending church, "I have never been around so many Koreans before" It was a culture shock at first. Now I've become a little more comfortable and have gotten use to it however I feel more American.
It's interesting how there are several men and women around my age who are fluent in English but prefer to speak Korean with one another and listen to a sermon in Korean.
Here in LA one can see how Korean Americans don't assimilate. They are lucky that there is a big Korean community here. Be proud of who you are. We are Korean Americans and we are unique. We are survivors.
Kevin, your comments are always so insightful. I can only imagine the culture shock of being fluent in Spanish. I also, learned Spanish growing up. You are right it would certainly be convenient to speak Korean. I have never been in a Korean community but I am glad it doesn't bother you sitting in Korean sermons in Korean. I grew up in a Catholic household, so all Sunday masses were in English. I have heard that Korean Americans don't assimilate easily. Korea Americans are for sure unique, it is hard to navigate through the identity crisis many find ourselves in. It seems you have a handle on it and I appreciate your insights.
That's got to be bit of relief for you, Amanda. I know you felt really held back from your family because of the language barrier, but it's clear from these different perspectives there's so much more to it. I imagine you being more "American-like" in Korean social situations and I wish I could be there feeling awkward with you!
That is very sweet! Yes, it's hard being the "odd woman out" so to speak.
I'm dealing with some of the same things. White parents, while I'm the only Korean, let alone Asian in my town. I am proud to be an American, but I would love to see Korea and this video has helped me to learn what to expect when going there! Keep up the good work!
This is an old video, but if you got anything from it that was my goal. Thank you for your reply.
completely relate. We are Korean but we're KADS and we didn't grow up within our culture so we are 'split '.. we're duo.. it's hard to explain but I completely understand 💜💜
Yes, it's really hard to articulate. You definitely understand the dynamic.
Betwixt and Between
be yourself of what is very comfortable with you.just focus your korean language to learn so that you can fit in more to your parents
That is great advice, thanks for motivating me to keep on keeping on.
The idea of me returning to Sweden or England and BEING ACCEPTED as ONE OF THEM is to horrifying to consider !!
My diagnosis is "S.A.S." (severe angst syndrome)
AWW can't imagine you look sad sure it's hard.question is it because your westernized is that why you have a hard time? they won't except you?
Yes, part of it is wanting to be accepted as Korean since I was born here. But realizing I am too westernized and Koreans expect that if we are Korean we should abide by the culture and should speak the language.
if your not taught they should not hold it against you they should help you and teach you.