Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific – Jung-Sun Park

Herman Sok
Section 001
Week 7

                In the article, “Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific”, Jung-Sun Park discusses the significance of Korean American youths in the globalization of Korean culture. Park also presents the importance of Korean (homeland) culture in the lives of Korean Americans because they cannot fully assimilate into the host country or be accepted by the home country. Although Park only focuses on Korean American individuals, I believe this analysis is accurate for all Asian Americans.  

                I find this article very relatable to myself because I am an American Born Chinese (ABC). The issue with a host country and home country did exist in my life but no longer bothers me. I understand the feeling of being out of place in American society and also the feeling of not being accepted by Chinese born from the homeland. I can sympathize with the samples that Park presents, but I believe I am different because my personal background allowed me to fit into society. I listen to Chinese music, practice Cantonese/Mandarin, and seek Chinese history because I want to practice my Chinese culture. I do so because I fear that by staying only in American society I may one day lose parts of my Chinese culture.

                I am glad to be a part of the global system that exchanges parts of culture. I believe that better understanding of everyone’s culture and background will make society a better place.

We are learning about why it is difficult for Asian Americans to fully assimilate into American society, but why is there also challenges for Asian Americans to relate with members from their homeland country?