About Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows od Popular Culture across the Pacfic

Chan, Yue Kar
ASA 2 Section A02
Blog #7

"Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific" by Jung-Sun Park was a paper that really hit home for me. I can definitely related to Brian, who was quoted in the article and expressed his feelings of marginality through the simple words "I don't feel fully American." I immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong at the age of four. I've never seriously called or considered myself as an American. The typical American as a white male. I am neither white nor male. While I can be considered  Chinese American, I don't even like calling myself that. In fact, I prefer when people call me Chinese. While I can't pinpoint why it is exactly that being called an Asian American or anything of the like makes me uncomfortable, I know for a fact that it relates to how I don't feel like a real American. Being called Asian American is already a step away from being just plain old American. It seems like being  Asian keeps you from being a true American. When people refer the Asian cultural centers within America, they talk about it as if its not a true part of America but a slice of some other country that plopped itself on to American soil. It is usually just seen as some exotic tourist zone. I feel as if I'm a tourist living in America. I am living here, but I'm not supposed to feel like I belong here.

Question: Why is it that Asian Americans normally don't refer to themselves as Asian Americans when asked for their ethnicity?

Derek Kawahara
October 31, 2015
ASA 2 - Section A02
Blog #7

     "Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific" opened my eyes to the vast influence of globalization upon South Korean culture.  Previously, I had not understood the international appeal of South Korea's culture.  South Korea's culture not only transcends domestic consumers but it has become a global phenomena because of its "mirroring" of global popular cultural trends.  I firmly agree that the "hybridization" of South Korea's culture is of great importance because a combination of two cultures can only help one's view of the world become less biased.

     The advancement in technology has helped bridge Korean Americans and South Korea which has helped build not only a stronger family bond, but a sense of Korean identity.  A strong sense of identity is important because it allows an individual to relate to a culture to feel as if he/she is part of a community in which they belong.  The Trans-Pacific culture holds many questions about the future; however, South Korean culture will definitely play an integral part in North American and Asian cultures and identities.

     If South Korean culture has such a heavy influence around the world, why is the country not considered a global superpower?
     

                            
                              Girl's Generation is a popular South Korean girl group

Korean Culture vs Vietnamese Culture

Julie Le

Week 7

ASA002 A01

10/31/2015

The article regarding Korean American youth mentions that Korean Americans get a sense of community and feeling like they’re part of the “homeland” through popular culture they share. I think this is really interesting because the article about Chau Huynh is so different. For a while, any association with Vietnam was considered a communist-loving action so reading that Korean Americans are able to connect with their homeland through media is so different from the Vietnamese American community. It made me think of how much of a privilege different minority groups have over each other although we are oppressed under the Model Minority Myth. Although now, communication with Vietnam isn’t as protested against, it’s still difficult to be able to express an opinion without receiving mass protest like the situation with Chau Huynh. By sharing a common culture like KPOP or KDramas, Korean Americans are able to feel connected to their “homeland” whereas for Vietnamese Americans it’s hard to be able to feel a sense of community with Vietnam because of the fear of Communism. It leaves Vietnamese Americans in a constant state of feeling out of place because they don’t have a “homeland” to feel connected to.

So my question is: How long will it take to be able to discuss Vietnamese culture without any hints towards communism being assumed? Will we even be able to reach that point since Vietnamese and Korean history are so different?

K-Pop or American Culture?

Bally Lee

ASA A03

Week 7 Blog

In the article Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Culture Across the Pacific. Jung-Sun Park brings to attention a large portion of the population that has been extremely influential in shaping mainstream media, yet hugely unrecognized. We focus on popular culture that is specifically relating to South Korean youths and how their daily lifestyle is impacted. There is an intangible, unspoken norm imposed in society in which those who do not follow the status quo are shamed and judged. Other factors such as the Model Minority Myth and film/media, perpetuate the need to belong or fit into society. There are many students who don't get into Ivy League schools or become valedictorian. However, by consuming popular culture, the pressure is alleviated and these individuals have a renewed sense of belonging. There are also new relationships and growth between different youths coming from different backgrounds.    

My questions include: Why is Korean popular culture trying so hard to imitate the lifestyle of Americans? You see music videos of these Korean pop groups with girls that have blonde hair and beach backgrounds. Is it purely for entertainment or profit purposes where they want to reinvent their products for consumers? 

Above is an image of a Korean K-Pop Video in which these artists are taking Black culture and reiterating it into their own. 

Blog 7

Wen Gao

ASA 2 Section A03

10/31/2015

Response to “Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific”

Asian Americans, as transnational immigrants, stay in between the host society and their native land and they are sensitive to both culture. Their life consists with border-crossing elements. With the development of media industries over the years, Korean culture have produced marketable popular cultural products such as films, music and animation which gradually expanded to the global market especially for Asian American youth. The consumption of Korean popular culture such as TV shows and music reconnect them to their homeland. The growing availability of cultural information from Korea has increased the opportunity for young Korean Americans to know more about Korean popular culture. However, in the U.S., many Korean American youths learn about Korean culture through Japanese lens. They get familiarized with the Japanese way of thinking through Korean comics which are actually Japanese origin. I think it is another form of hegemony, in a more secret but impactful way. It starts at the young generation, which are still immature and susceptible. And it will make a big influence to the society.

Question: Although for the first or 1.5 generation of Korean Americans, they are likely to accept Korean culture, it is still easy for their descendant, who are totally unfamiliar with Korean culture?

Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Culture across the Pacific

Jeff Cha

ASA 2 (A02)

Blog 7

Jung-Sun Park concludes in her writing that Korean entertainment allows first generation Korean Americans to relate to the roots of their home country and parents. However, the media can also create alternative messages that lead to negative perceptions and stereotypes. There is a huge popularity in Korean movies and TV dramas but it doesn’t always depict real Korean history or life. As with any type of media, every idea is selectively chosen to appeal to audiences so Korean Americans may only see the positive sides of Korea rather than the overall picture. This reminds me of the Vietnam War movies in America, which depict Americans as the heroes while the Vietnamese are stereotyped as either cruel villains or victims scheming with the Communists. As a result, these movies can influence Americans to believe that the Vietnam War was only Americans vs. the Vietnamese or that America was the only “good guy.” Entertainment may help create connections to roots but can also have negative effects.

Are there any types of media that present neutral information on historical events, such as on the Vietnam War? Are historical documentaries more trustworthy than historical movies?

Recognition of Vietnamese Immigrants

Nick Gagliani
October 30, 2015
ASA 02
Section 2

Blog 7

In Professor Valverde's piece on the meeting and discovery of Chau Huynh, and artist whose works embody the sentiment of Vietnamese immigrants in America. After reading the first few paragraphs of the text, I realized that growing up in America, I never maintained a full understanding of what immigration to the United States from Vietnam was like for most people. I had the general sense of a wore torn country forced many people to come to the United States and start new lives, but did not understand what that really means. The understanding I finally got of Huynh's incense boat work and professor Valverde's lecture of Boat People from Vietnam, is that the Vietnamese people that immigrated to the United States during the Vietnam war not only faced the struggles of fleeing a war torn country, but also encountered a treacherous trip that some were not lucky enough to make, nevertheless having to start a new life in a foreign country that does not openly accept your values and culture. After reading this and realizing that many of Huynh's artistic works were contributed to Vietnamese Americans, I realized that the hardships faced by these immigrants and their families define the Vietnam war itself, and that one must educate themselves on the struggles that were faced in order to come to the United States and seek a new life.

What other Asian American groups can you think of that Immigrated to the United States similar to the circumstances that Vietnamese immigrants faced?

Blog #6

Ruan, Michael
Section A03
Blog #6

According to Puar, whom wanted to stop another misunderstanding and ignorance of Americans by saying the war on terrorism should not labeled Muslims or any race that could lead to the target of that one race. It is as if how the Japanese were sent to internment and seen as a common enemy during world war II and suspected as spies even though if they were loyal to the United States. Tragic events like that should not have happened and could be avoided. A lot of Arabs distance themselves from the word Arab and some South Asians like Sikh and Indians were even confused for Middle Eastern which caused anti-Semitism feelings towards Muslims, but the media portrayed all Middle Eastern looking people are considered terrorist and Muslims and are deemed as enemies. America is walking into the same steps and repeating the same mistakes.

Q: How did Muslim Americans feel about the war on terrorism and how did it affect them in society during that period right after 9/11?

Blog #7

Ruan, Michael

Section A03

Blog #7

According to Valverde's article about Chau Huynh, an artist who wants to show her Vietnamese - Americans a culture that would not be forgotten. Not only did we lose Vietnam to the communist, many people had to leave the war-torn country in fear of being hunted by the communist party. By being raised by a communist dad, she was not able to see the other side of the story like the refugees that had to escape by boat also known as the boat people and many did not make it. The Communist Party solely erased and brainwashed the memories of the country to show oppression and raise political powers over the people also known as hegemony. Through memory amnesia, and after 30 years that has passed, the country has rebuild and many people had already forgotten the past that was the purpose of the political parties.

Q: Why was Chau clueless about the boat people and refugees that had to leave the country?

The Boy Who Called Communism

Response to: Creating Identity, Defining Culture, and Making History from an Art Exhibit…

Shannon Trinh

ASA 2 - Section 01

Blog #7

As a Vietnamese American, I do see the fear that Professor Valverde discusses in the article within the Vietnamese community. I see that it is unfortunate and difficult to maintain close homeland relations and connections, and to keep this part of one’s life hushed from the public.

 I remember watching an episode of a Vietnamese variety show on television, and that very episode was dedicated to remembering and mourning the fall of Saigon. One specific singer, Tommy Ngo wore a belt that spelled out "LOVE" that night. In order to fill in the "O" of the word, Tommy Ngo wore a star that resembled the one on the flag. After the program, the audience was outraged, labeling Tommy Ngo a communist and a traitor. They accused Ngo of subliminally showing support for the Vietnamese government. It is interesting to see that something so small can trigger such anger and opposition, even if the individual never intended to do so. To lose yourself in such fear is to ultimately lose the memories of where you come from. It is so hard to be proud of your identity when your own country has had gone through such devastating and corrupt history.

Question: Has this fear and intensity of being labeled a communist died down?