“I want to be identified as a Korean American, but that doesn't mean I'm abandoning the Korean aspect of my life”

Story #9

Anna, 20, Korean American 

Interviewed & Written by Yiran Yu

Edited by Madeline Humphrey

“My mom migrated to the US when she got married,” Anna said, recalling her parents’ migration journey. Anna’s father moved to Illinois from South Korea when he was five years old, because Anna’s grandfather, who was a member of the Korean-American joint-force military, believed that “the US would bring him more opportunities.”

“He was able to have some connections in the US, and that's how he came here,” Anna said. “And then my mom came here when she married my dad.” 

Anna said that both of her parents faced certain challenges, but in different aspects. 

“I think my dad didn't have that much difficulty. I think, if anything, it was just hard growing up as the only other person who looked different, in a sense, because everyone around him was white,” Anna said. “He was the only Asian one.”

“My mom definitely struggled a lot more because it was a completely different social climate,” Anna said. “It was far from Korea, so distance was also a big thing.” 

Growing up as a Korean American, Anna learned to become “the bridge between two cultures,” as she navigates herself between the two identities. Nevertheless, the tension between two cultures sometimes creates conflicts and confusion. 

“You're not really on one side or the other. And even if you want to be on one side, like being an American person, it's hard to do that,” Anna said. “There are so many people who just don't accept that and say that you're different. You're not American.” 

“And then you can't exactly be Korean either. Because you're not. I'm different from people who are from Korea,” Anna said. “I feel like there's definitely a different dynamic between people who are from Korea and Korean Americans.”

“You're just stuck in the middle at some points. So you don't know where you belong.”

When it comes to the question whether her parents’ immigration experience has shaped Anna’s dreams and aspirations, she challenged the conventional idea of model minority and “Asian family expectations.” 

“My dad immigrated very early, so he identifies himself as a Korean American. So there was no immigration cultural pressure from him. And my mom I feel is more laid back and chill enough to not have that sort of pressure on me,” Anna said, expressing gratitude for the career freedom that was given by her parents. 

“I'm more pressured to study and pursue a career that I'm going to stick with,” Anna said. “I guess [to] be successful in [my] own right.” 

Anna said that people should know that there is a “spectrum” of migrant experiences: an epiphany she found while observing her own family dynamics. 

“My dad is first generation. So I'm a solid 1.5 generation. Mom is an immigrant,” Anna laughed. “I would want people to know that not all Korean Americans are the same.” 

“We all come from different situations,” Anna said, highlighting the importance to respect the differences within the migrant communities and avoid hurtful comments. “Because I've heard people straight up telling me ‘you're too Korean for a second generation.’”

“Just because we're Korean American doesn't mean we don't appreciate our Korean culture,” Anna said. “I guess I want to be identified as a Korean American, but that doesn't mean I'm abandoning the Korean aspect that I will live the rest of my life with.” 

“I'm American, but I'm also Korean. So respect the culture.”