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I Am Korean American: CULTURE

"I Am Korean American: CULTURE" is the last in the series of 5 videos produced by RKTV. These videos explores what it means to be Korean-Americans today.

If first generation Korean-Americans formed communities in order to help one another survive with their poor English skills, second generation Korean-Americans have come together to 'prosper'.

Having been born and raise in the United States, second generation Korean-Americans have naturally absorbed and internalized American culture. However, they have also been influenced by their parents to experience and absorb Korean culture as well. How can we define this unique hybrid culture?

Second generation Korean-Americans have formed 'fenced communities' in order to share and celebrate the unique culture they have created for themselves. What do they find inside these fenced communities and what kind of culture are they creating? In this episode, we explore various social communities that second generation Korean-Americans have established.

Among the most well-known communities are 'NetKal' - a community of second generation Korean-American leaders who have achieved success in American society, 'IAMKOREANAMERICAN' - a website on which Korean-Americans from across the United States come together to share their life stories, and 'Kollaboration' - an organization dedicated to bringing the Asian-American talents into the mainstream entertainment industry

Video from KoreanAmericanStory.org-KACF Event

On December 15th, 2011, KoreanAmericanStory.org, in partnership with Korean American Community Foundation (KACF),  hosted an event, "Korean American Identity: Past, Present & Future" to celebrate our Korean American heritage and identity.  It was an engaging evening of discussion and live participation as we looked back at our immigration history, gauged what it means to be Korean American, and explored the changing faces of the Korean American community today.

CLICK PHOTOS to see photos from the event.

KACF-KoreanAmericanStory.org Event Photos

On December 15th, 2011, KoreanAmericanStory.org, in partnership with Korean American Community Foundation (KACF),  hosted an event, "Korean American Identity: Past, Present & Future" to celebrate our Korean American heritage and identity.  It was an engaging evening of discussion and live participation as we looked back at our immigration history, gauged what it means to be Korean American, and explored the changing faces of the Korean American community today.

Here are some photos from the evening.  CLICK PHOTO.

For the Video of the event CLICK VIDEO

 

I Am Korean American: LOVE

Among second generation Korean-Americans, one's 'perspective on love' can be easily identified based on the spouse selection one makes, more specifically, whether or not he or she seeks a Korean-American partner.

Their spouse selection also reflects heavily on their personal and cultural identity. It also determines what type of family they are going to build in the future. What type of people do second generation Korean-Americans desire to be understood by, and be in a romantic relationship with?

In this episode, four second generation Korean-Americans from various walks of life share their vastly differing views on love. This 'love talk show,' filled with surprises and twists.

I Am Korean American: LOVE" is the fourth in the series of 5 videos produced by RKTV. These videos explores what it means to be Korean-Americans today. KoreanAmericanStory.org will be posting the remaining 1 video in the series in the coming weeks.

To Where Shall A Nation Go From Here?

A commentary by Kimberly So Jin Kim

In what depths of darkened dreams must a people wallow in despair?

I asked this question a year and a half ago when North Korea ceased to exist as only a distant land of my ancestors.  My grandparents were from there. They're both passed now. They fled the country in the wake of the war in 1950. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for their decision back then. Life right now would be very different...if not non-existent.

I stood still across the Tumen River, weeping senseless. I thought it irrational to respond like that. The moment carried me away beyond reason. But then my sorrow made sense. How could I not react to a part of me—the North Koreans with whom I share a common history and blood—that was in so much pain and unimaginable suffering?

My eyes could not break gaze from that one grey city. It has never left my sight since.   

3 days after the reported death of Kim Jong Il, the same questions weigh even more heavily upon my heart and conscience at this hour. The implications for the North Korean people are many and worrisome. Without the security of having a legitimate dictator, panic is bound to seize the nation to its core. Kim Jong Eun, next in line for succession, is in his late twenties and considered still too young to move the country forward. North Koreans themselves doubt whether he is able to lead them on their feeble limbs.

The current situation is highly reminiscent of Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994. Shortly thereafter, acute food shortages resulted in the death of approximately 3.5 million North Korean citizens. The effects of the event, commonly referred to as the March of Tribulation, resound in the lives of North Koreans today. Due to starvation, chronic malnutrition is common and widespread, reaching 37% of young children nd affecting fully developed North Korean men and women as well.

The economy may yet again resort to wild inflation rates, only to salvage the privileged class of North Korean society. War with South Korea and the U.S. is very much a possibility.

None of the scenarios are desirable.  The problems North Korea has faced during the course of its history seem endless and unendable. It seems as though a clear solution to bring an end to these trials is lost. The nation’s ills have no remedy. Exasperation at this reality has often led me to places of indifference and frustration.

The thought crossed the terrains of my mind aplenty. Up until it actually happened, I used to think: If Kim Jong Il wasn’t there, the people would no longer have to suffer under his repressive regime—they’d have a chance to be free. I perhaps subconsciously wanted him dead. I do feel guilty about it, but only for one reason: The people are mourning for him.

Whether they really knew him as their dear leader or as a tyrant, my love for my people was never—and will never—be a matter of choice.

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Kimberly So Jin Kim is a KoreanAmericanStory.org contributor.  She's currently a student at New York University studying Journalism and East Asian Studies.

I Am Korean American: WORK

"I Am Korean American: WORK" is the third in the series of 5 videos produced by RKTV. These videos explores what it means to be Korean-Americans today. KoreanAmericanStory.org will be posting the remaining 2 videos in the series in the coming weeks.

Many second generation Korean-Americans achieve success through hard work. Their success draws attention not only in mainstream American society, but also in the Korean immigrant communities as well as Korean society. The reason for such attention is the fact that they are Koreans, that is, foreigners, in the land of America.

This translates into saying that there are many obstacles that Korean-Americans face and must overcome in order to be successful. What are the main criteria that second generation Korean-Americans consider when choosing their career paths?

Do they choose to become lawyers or doctors in order to please their parents and acknowledge the sacrifice they have made over the years? Or do they choose to pursue a dream of their own? Also, what are the biggest struggles they face as they pursue the career path of their choice? Are these struggles unique to Korean-Americans?

In this episode, we explore the 'core realm' of the lives of second generation Korean-Americans, their professional world.