Looking Back, I Realize How Much My Background Prepared Me For Success.
Photos provided by Allen and The Halfie Project
My childhood was spent in two places - Frankfurt, Germany, and North Carolina, USA. Most of my friends were mixed; whether Korean and White,
or Korean or Black. Diversity was always there, especially in a military town.
A substantial part of my cultural connection was due to the Korean church. That’s where I could interact with people who had similar interests and backgrounds. It allowed me to learn about my roots.
In my generation, growing up as mixed Korean was difficult. Racism towards being half-Asian was real. I think it made many become dismissive of their mixed heritage. I can understand. You became the outcast simply for being different.
Everyday you were reminded of being half-Korean whenever mom opened up that kimchi fridge.
I always knew that I was half-Korean and and the Korean culture was prevalent in my upbringing. You couldn’t forget that when you were going to regular church service, on top of having to play on the worship team for two Korean services back to back.
Let’s not even get into the western ideas of punishment verses Korean ideas of punishment! Kneeling on dry rice, standing in the corner with my hands raised for an hour, I’ve gone through it all!
But if anything, it’s the food that I always loved and still today, I will order kimchi jjigae just for the simple fact that it tastes like home.
As I reflect on my life, I realize how much my background prepared me for success.
Growing up in a multicultural family of Korean and Irish heritage, I learned early on to value different cultures and perspectives.
My family was poor, but my mother - a South Korean immigrant who wasn’t given the chance to graduate high school - always emphasized education and personal growth. She incorporated Korean culture into our lives. She pushed me to work hard, academically and physically.
She signed me up for language courses, music lessons, sports…
all which are passions I still have today.
My role models were my friends who were maybe a year or two older than me. In hindsight, it doesn’t seem like much, but one or two years difference is a big deal in middle school.
I have always surrounded myself with people who have ambition or the drive to become something great. My heroes were genuinely the people I surrounded myself with because I wanted to be more like them.
I believe that my childhood friends played a crucial role in shaping my acceptance and appreciation for Korean culture. Without them, I might not have developed such a deep affection for my own heritage.
Currently, I’m a physician.
My experience forming relationships with people from all cultures helps me to see life from a different perspective. It gives me the skills to connect with anyone. I put these skills into action with patients, to build trust and form a relationship with each one.
It’s quite amusing how sometimes people don’t realize I’m half-Korean when I’m wearing a hospital mask - I like to joke that I’m Korean only until up to my nose! During Covid-19, I worked closely with teams for weeks at a time, always masked. It was always a pleasant surprise for people to discover my mixed heritage when the mask came off.
Depending on where you are in the world, being seen as an individual without your race being taking into consideration is almost unheard of. Fortunately for me, in most cases people are simply curious and often appreciate hearing about my mixed heritage. I genuinely enjoy discussing the mixed aspect of my heritage because it always sparks interesting conversations.
I genuinely aspire to learn more about Korea and spend more time there. But there's an endless amount to discover.
It can be challenging, especially since my language skills aren't the greatest, but I do understand the fundamental principles that underpin Korean culture. I find it incredibly beautiful, and I hope to immerse myself even more deeply in it in the future.
As for where is home? I’m not sure. I’m still searching.