AnthroScope Korea

Pondering upon this question confused me about what it really means to be “Korean.” 

I am not talking about citizenship papers, but I am contemplating the idea of “Koreanness.” 

Currently speaking from the perspective of a boarding school kid in the U.S. who has never had a local Korean school experience, I realized that citizenship papers don’t play a significant factor in fitting in with other Koreans in society after all. 

Going far back to kindergarten, I started my education at an international school in Korea. Almost everyone in my classes was Korean, and I identified myself as 100% Korean. I easily blended in with my Korean classmates, who spoke fine English and Korean just like I did. Outside of school, I talked to my parents in Korean, which did not make me question the “Koreanness” inside me. 

As a rising eighth grader, I followed my siblings’ path to go study abroad in the States. Though intimated at first, I did not think this would bring me such a vast change. Expectedly, there were no barriers to mingling into groups of non-Koreans. I started hanging out with kids from everywhere in the States. All of a sudden, I noticed myself becoming much more familiar with American food, slang, jokes, and sports like hockey. Unknowingly, I was becoming more attached to the American culture as I ended up feeling like I had lost my “Koreanness” in me. 

Just two more years added to that, and now, as a junior in an American high school, I feel less “Korean.” Unintentionally, I would use English with my friends and family, miss American food when I’m in Korea, and even feel distant from my friend group when I traditionally hear, “You don’t even act or look Korean.” 

So, to go back to the question, what makes someone truly “Korean”? 

No, it does not simply depend on having Korean blood or citizenship papers, but rather, how you accept yourself in the “Korean lifestyle” with other groups. 

I consider myself a true “Korean,” not because of biological reasons but because of how I see myself among other Koreans. I do feel like I stick out when I am with my local friends in Korea because of the way I talk and look, the things I like, and the culture I have become more familiar with. 

There exists an unspoken social construct about Korean Americans, immigrants, or boarding students like me, who study abroad and come home with confusion about identifying themselves as ” full Koreans.” The idea of being truly “Korean,” after all, ties in with how well you align yourself with the Korean culture and lifestyle as you blend in with local Koreans.