Blog 7

Seung Joon Lee
Week7
ASA 002
11/1/15

In her article "Korean American Youth and Transnational Flows of Popular Culture across the Pacific" Park talks about how many 1.5 generation Koreans and even some Korean Americans have hard time assimilating into American culture. As an 1.5 generation Korean American, I think this particular part of the article is relatable to me. I have very mixed feelings after reading this article, but I will try my best to sound as articulate as possible. When I was younger, I divided 1.5 generation Koreans into two groups: one that decides to assimilate into American culture and one that stays "Korean" (whom I called the "fobs"). According to my own definitions, the "fobs" only hangout with other Korean immigrants, only speak Korean, dress like Koreans, and basically create their own Korean immigrant community. The "fobs" are the Korean students who have hard time assimilating into American culture, as described in Park's article. When I moved to the State as a 7th grader in middle school, I became the "assimilator" and hung out with white and Latino kids. Instead of watching Korean dramas, I watched South Park. Instead of listening to Girls' Generation, I listened to Metallica and Led Zeppelin (only because I like rock music). There were good things about quickly assimilating into American culture; I picked up English really quickly and became fluent in it within a year. However, I gradually became arrogant and started looking down at the "fobby" Koreans. I thought I was better than they for being more "socially accepted" and even avoided hanging out with them. After having hard time relating to other Asian (especially Korean) students and being called "white washed" throughout high school, I am a lot better now and do not disparage fobby Koreans. I have many Asian American friends now and easily befriends fobby Koreans. However, I am still worried and aware that people do not see me as a complete American, and that I will face discriminations from both groups (Caucasian Americans and Koreans) in the future. Because none of them will accept me as fully American or fully Korean.
Question: What are Koreans' opinions on the success and popularity of Korean culture in America?