Who Are the Zainichi? Koreans in Japan - Racism, Identity Struggle & Cultural Survival

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 28 окт 2024

Комментарии • 70

  • @TheHalfieProject
    @TheHalfieProject  3 года назад +17

    Who are the Zainichi? Have you heard of them before?

    • @zara4529
      @zara4529 3 года назад +3

      Well I did listen to a podcast some while ago and it was a crime novel called "People Who Eat Darkness: The Fate of Lucie Blackman" written by Richard Lloyd Parry. Here I heared for the first time about the "Zinichi" and the history behind that.

    • @dee6ee224
      @dee6ee224 3 года назад +2

      Ye , I did come across on some YT videos explaining about them.

    • @yangallison
      @yangallison 3 года назад +3

      I wrote a paper about the Zainichi in high school. Can’t wait to listen to this episode later today!

    • @marymadelleine
      @marymadelleine 3 года назад

      Kiko Mizuhara and the founder of Lotte company, also another Japanese actor who actually was Korean descent but I forgot his name. I found the term of Zainichi when I searched some information about Korean descent in Japan. It's just my personal wondering, then the term appeared on the internet.

    • @naturalthing1
      @naturalthing1 2 года назад

      90% of the celebrities in Japan are ethnic Korean

  • @Eva-xz1ou
    @Eva-xz1ou 3 года назад +61

    Hi I am a Japanese college student majoring in Korean studies. I was amazed by the details you have provided in this video! Especially, the part you explained the actual meaning of the word “zainichi” /재일/在日 because it’s often misunderstood that it only means 재일교포 here in Japan. I have been a quiet subscriber, but I always admire your amazing work and love how educational they are ! Thank you very much!

    • @yesno9065
      @yesno9065 3 года назад +2

      In addition to what you said, there are also cases that are classified as 朝鮮籍. It is a history of tragedy.

    • @Eva-xz1ou
      @Eva-xz1ou 3 года назад +2

      @@yesno9065 Indeed. It is the ongoing history that everyone here should recognize and reflect, but unfortunately not many people try to do so.

    • @yuvika7616
      @yuvika7616 2 года назад

      Hey I completely agree with what you said! I’m writing a research paper on history of zainichi Koreans but as I live in India it’s hard for me to find primary perspectives. So if you’re okay with it can I mail you some questions about the topic? It’ll really help as you’re a Japanese student studying Korean studies and thus can provide deeper perspective on the issue.

  • @MsSunnyAvril
    @MsSunnyAvril 3 года назад +19

    I watched a documentary on RUclips about the Zainichi currently living in Japan. To the point where they have Korean schools and really hold on to their Korean culture. Thank you for going deeper into the history of how this all came to be. Great content Becky and Cedric! This was soooo good and enlightening!

  • @monicauyeno7368
    @monicauyeno7368 3 года назад +43

    My mother is Korean and my father was born in Japan but mostly raised in America. They met when my father was in the army. I was raised in America all my life and unfortunately, do not speak either Korean or Japanese. (Product of the the times I grew up) I wanted to say thank you for what you guys do because I learn a lot about things I don't think about. Or think about only in passing. 🙂

    • @sara.cbc92
      @sara.cbc92 3 года назад

      So ur mom is a Korean comfort woman 😂

    • @monicauyeno7368
      @monicauyeno7368 2 года назад +1

      @Cameron My father was born in Japan and both his parents are Japanese. I don't know what area they were from and honestly I really don't know much about the Japanese part of my family.

    • @monicauyeno7368
      @monicauyeno7368 2 года назад

      @@sara.cbc92 No

  • @bluewater3216
    @bluewater3216 3 года назад +26

    There is also a English novel called "Pachinko" written by Min Jin Lee. It's a novel about Zainichi Koreans. I recommend that.

  • @kctjohnson
    @kctjohnson 2 года назад +15

    Wow!! Fascinating history!! I grew up in Japan in the 70s and 80s (I’m old) and as a half-Japanese i found myself grouped into a “rare” population Japan back then. My Taisho-born grandma raised me and she wasn’t fond pf Koreans. Back then, the racism was much worse than it is today. My beat friend was a “Zainichi Chosen-jin” (now “Kankoku-jin”) and my grandma was surprised at first when i told her about my BFF. As a child, you don’t really understand about racism. She was just my first and beat friend, and eventually, my grandma came to accept her and see her in a positive light. The irony is I recently found out that I’m 4% Korean, which definitely comes from my Japanese side, so I always considered the racism against Zainichi as totally unjustified.
    To this day, we refer to schools for Zainichi as “Chosen Gakkou” (Choson School) regardless of allegiance. Maybe it’s changed now but i’m not sure… i remember as a kid seeing these “Oneh-chans” (언니) on the bus wearing their Chima-Chogori (Hanbok) uniform which i always thought as pretty. Back that I wasn’t aware of how difficult it must’ve been being a Zainichi… even my BFF hardly complained so i wasn’t very aware. :(

  • @dapragmaticowl142
    @dapragmaticowl142 3 года назад +4

    Yay, I’ve been waiting for the continuation of this series.

  • @yani674
    @yani674 3 года назад +13

    My father is Swiss with 1/3 Irish ancestry, my mother is Korean and my Korean grandma was born in Japan. My DNA test showed 1/2 Swiss (+ celtic) and 1/2 Korean & Japanese. I feel most Swiss & Korean.

    • @JJ-yu6og
      @JJ-yu6og 3 года назад +5

      My Korean father and his sister were born in Japan in the 1940's in (1942 and 1945) when the family lived there. The family moved back to Korea in the 1950's right before the Korean war began, for obvious reasons. My father didn't speak Korean properly because he went to a Japanese school in Japan, so the Korean classmates made fun of him, accusing him of being Japanese.

    • @yani674
      @yani674 3 года назад +3

      @@JJ-yu6og that’s horrible. It‘s do sad that things like that happen.
      Do you feel a connection to japan?

    • @ajsuflena156
      @ajsuflena156 3 года назад

      @@yani674 i would like to know that too about you? did your grandmother not emphasis her japanese identity and culture onto your mother as much?

    • @yani674
      @yani674 3 года назад +1

      @@ajsuflena156 Not really I think. Firstly, my grandfather is korean born and he was kinda like the chef in the family. My grandma could only speak japanese till like highschool I guess but when she moved to korea she gave up japanese culture I think.
      But I need to ask here when I meet her next time

    • @ajsuflena156
      @ajsuflena156 3 года назад +1

      @@yani674 ok cool

  • @rickardovich
    @rickardovich 2 года назад +2

    Compliments for the detail! I am currently researching the youngest generation Zainichi's identity construction and had to go throuh much much literature before being able to talk about it in such detail as you do. Great to watch! Greetings from the Netherlands.

  • @basicallydoctor
    @basicallydoctor 3 года назад +14

    안그래도 Pachinko라는 소설을 읽고 있는데 때마침 이런 영상을 올주셔서 잘 봤습니다:) 댓글은 잘 안남기지만 한국팬도 있고 잘 듣고 있다는 것을 소심하게 알리고 싶어서 댓글 남깁니다,,,🥰

  • @dee6ee224
    @dee6ee224 3 года назад +4

    Just came to know about the Zainichis about a month ago. Good to have a broader perspective about it .

  • @LynnDanielleTreasure
    @LynnDanielleTreasure 3 года назад +11

    This is why I enjoy the Halfie Project! This was an informative human interest report about ethnic Koreans born and living in Japan. It made me draw parallels to what happened to blacks in the U.S. as a result of slavery and the laws that stemmed from that horrible time
    (we, too, have been seen as bubbles - BIG BUBBLES - of U.S. history that must disappear).
    Governments unchecked can oppress mankind.
    You were not talking too much, Becky. Cultural identity IS vital!
    Thank you and Cedric for these excellent podcasts.

    • @yo2trader539
      @yo2trader539 Год назад

      Most of them are Korean War refugees. They refuse to return home despite our wishes. They refuse to integrate in Japanese society either. That's why they're hated.

  • @juderomines2816
    @juderomines2816 Год назад +1

    Really cool that you covered this. My grandma was Zainichi Kankokujin, born in the 30s to a family that migrated from Korea during occupation. It's been a surreal and interesting experience to see elements of this history be brought into greater consciousness since Pachinko and the recent kdrama. Being mixed myself in the US, it can feel strange to explain how my family could be ethnically Korean but carry so many accultured Japanese customs & to feel the dissonance of that dark history alongside being mixed too. Thanks for spreading some awareness!

  • @wolecole7521
    @wolecole7521 2 года назад +4

    This is why I enjoy the Halfie Project! This was an informative human interest report about ethnic Koreans born and living in Japan. It made me draw parallels to what happened to whites in the U.S. as a result of slavery and the laws that stemmed from that horrible time

  • @garytheosophilus
    @garytheosophilus Год назад +1

    In 2001, Emperor Akihito told reporters "I, on my part, feel a certain kinship with Korea, given the fact that it is recorded in the Chronicles of Japan that the mother of Emperor Kammu [Niigasa] was one of the descendant of King Muryong of Baekje.”

  • @jombosdc9211
    @jombosdc9211 2 года назад +2

    Really objective and well researched piece!

  • @KHab-sb5le
    @KHab-sb5le Год назад +1

    My maternal grandpa studied Japanese literature in Japan in the early 40s and moved back to Korea. While he was a very old man who cared for me as a child in Seoul, he taught me how to write Japanese. Back then at school we only learned negative things about Japan. At the same time, I privately experienced so much linguistic and literary beauty about Japan. So I was very irritated. I've been living in Germany for a long time, I have nothing to do with Japanese people, but I still love Japanese literature and films.

  • @EmoSew1
    @EmoSew1 2 года назад +9

    what i don't understand is if korea hates japan so much why haven't they ever tried to get their lost citizens back? and if the zainichi are so oppressed in japan right now why not go back to korea?

    • @ljyljy88
      @ljyljy88 Год назад +2

      Because until the 80s and arguably even up to the early 2000s, korea was in no economic situation to be concerned with repatriation, if anything emigration was still common. In the case of zainichi, after the defeat of imperial japan, koreans were forbidden from leaving the country with their assets with them (not sure how long this continued for). As most zainichi were either brought over as slave labor or living in poverty, you can imagine the situation of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Not to mention the fact that the korean war happened almost immediately after, completely leveling the country and leaving many with no hometown to return to. And as for right now? It seems a little callous to say go back to your ancestral homelands when by now these people have made their lives in japan for 4 or more generations with many achieving success despite the constant hate and oppression such as difficulty with gaining citizenship without censuring their heritage.

    • @大野靖男
      @大野靖男 6 месяцев назад +1

      @@ljyljy88 They just enjoy the comfortable position of being neither Japanese nor Korean.

  • @ravent3016
    @ravent3016 3 года назад +4

    Interesting segment - thanks.

  • @mtdoublem
    @mtdoublem Год назад +2

    Pachinko is a veryyyy good show to watch! That's where I learned some of this stuff... I def need to learn more. Can we get a reaction video from you guys about the show if you choose to watch it?

  • @emperorshowa8842
    @emperorshowa8842 2 года назад +3

    🇰🇷🤝🇯🇵

  • @ninaedwards345
    @ninaedwards345 3 года назад +1

    Should interview crystal kay about this she is biracial born and raised in japan

  • @Phantasm57
    @Phantasm57 Год назад +1

    I have a Question, if Zainichi krorean,aren't or weren't considered Japanese citizens why were they referred to as "Zainichi" over "Gaijin" since I believe Gaijin means outsider?

    • @大野靖男
      @大野靖男 6 месяцев назад

      They are foreigners but have the privilege of being special permanent residents.
      If they wanted to acquire Japanese citizenship, they could, but they don't.
      Most have migrated for economic reasons and many are illegal immigrants.

  • @JH-bb8in
    @JH-bb8in Год назад +1

    She's really pretty

  • @megavideopowermegavideopow8657
    @megavideopowermegavideopow8657 3 года назад +3

    👍🏽

  • @matthewct8167
    @matthewct8167 2 года назад

    On the topic of suspicions against North Korean organizations, you should mention the story of kidnappings such as the case of Megumi Yokata.

  • @hong3840
    @hong3840 2 года назад +1

    자이니치.. 하.. 그런데 이 자이니치 문제에 대해서 한국사회도 정말 할말이 없습니다 자이니치 본인들도 그러죠 일본에서도 외국인이었지만 한국에서도 일본인 취급, 차별을 받았다고.. 물론 당시 시대상으로서 식민지배한 일본에 대한 악감정이 아주 강한 시절이었지만, 그렇더라도 분명 한국사회도 그들에 대한 이해를 전혀 못했고 또 지금도 마찬가집니다.. 이제는 일본은 본격적으로 다문화에 많이 적응되었고 지금 이삼십대만 해도 일본에서 차별겪는다는 이야기는 거의 없죠.. 물론 자이니치들이 차별 속에서도 일본사회에서 가열차게 살아서 성공을 많이 거두고 그 사회에 기여하는 모습을 계속 엄청나게 보여줬기 때문이기도 하지만.. 그렇기 때문에 시간이 지나면 점점 일본국적으로 더 많이 바뀔거구요 이전세대만해도 일본국적 상대방과 결혼하는게 자의로도 타의로도 힘들어서 한국에서 배우자를 찾고 데려오는 경우도 많고 자이니치분들끼리 결혼하는 경우가 많았기 때문에 지금 3,4세 넘어서도 한국국적 조선국적이 유지되었던거지만.. 그리고.. 정말 가슴아프지만 한국사회에서 나고자란 혼혈, 혹은 이주민들은 과거 자이니치가 겪은 비슷한 성질의 일을 겪고있단 말이죠 이게 제일 큰 문제입니다 조선족 고려인들도 결코 본인들을 한국사회에서 받아들이고 있다고 생각하지 않아요 실제로도 그렇구요.. 사회가 변화하는게 너무 어렵습니다 진짜 한번 크게 망해야 정신차리려나봐요... 여기 댓글들처럼, 이 영상과 채널을 만드신 분들처럼 이런 사회와 문화를 이해하고 토론하고 논의하는게 한국에서 너무 적죠.. 인문학적인 발전이 이리 없는 사회는 망할수밖에 없습니다 자본주의의 단점, 그리고 민주주의의 단점만 갈수록 극대화되는 한국사회.. 그렇기 때문에 그 사회 안에서 사는 사람들은 진짜 갈수록 각박해지고 힘들게 살면서 못되지죠 그게 가슴이 아파요..

  • @hanj31
    @hanj31 9 месяцев назад

    I just call them 빨겡이's in Japan.

    • @avamusic8176
      @avamusic8176 8 месяцев назад

      Okay zainichi

    • @hanj31
      @hanj31 8 месяцев назад

      @@avamusic8176 I'm actually Korean American born in Korea. Nice try kid

    • @avamusic8176
      @avamusic8176 8 месяцев назад

      @@hanj31 all korea are kanichi west japan

  • @ioryyoki9957
    @ioryyoki9957 2 года назад +6

    what i dislike about only asian halfies (blasians), men and women is, most of you usually pick your black side. okay, if u live in a black society cool, but at least learn ur asian language. don't come crying back to other asians when u dont "fit in". of course you wont.

    • @lsunav
      @lsunav Год назад +5

      An old acquaintance of mine was born in Korea, her dad was a black GI who abandoned her and her mother. The people in her village threw her in a well. She was rescued by American missionaries. It took her 50 years to embrace her Korean half. Everyone has their story.

    • @peachesandcream22
      @peachesandcream22 10 месяцев назад

      I would not say something like that when it's a fact that blasians face double racism for being half-black, half-asian. It's literally hard to "fit in" the community which is very hateful towards other part of you.

  • @jaykay5086
    @jaykay5086 3 года назад

    there are still other viruses around lol