Hello everyone. My name is Christopher Park but my friends at church call me Chris Brown. The reason why I am called Chris Brown is not because of my ability to sing and definitely not my skin color, but rather because of my characteristics, which include being able to make others feel more comfortable. Today in our society, we look too much at others’ or our own appearances, instead of what truly matters: our actions. This has made being a Korean-American extremely difficult for me. Living in a predominantly Caucasian town many people looked at me in interesting ways. I was an outcast, never being able to really fit in. The funny part about this interaction is that they only looked at my outer appearance, when in reality I was a human just like them who had the same feelings but from a different culture. Therefore, throughout my childhood, I found it difficult to figure out my cultural identity. I wasn’t sure if I wanted the title being a Korean-American.
It begins with the stereo-types. Many people start to ask question, as I am one of the few Asians in a Caucasian neighborhood. The very first question asked is “Where are you from in Asia, because aren’t you guys all the same?” Trying to make what they call a funny joke that is in hindsight a hurtful one to me. I reply with the simple answer of “Korean” thinking it would end there. However, this is not where it stops. They then start to interrogate me asking, “are you from North Korea?” When asked these questions I feel a sense of frustration as being Korean only associates me with the North Korean stereotypes to my peers. These stereotypes do a number on me as I feel as if I am unable to represent myself as a Korean. It extends to when I am trying to eat a Korean lunch at school. I am always begging the question of what will people think about my lunch. Will it smell too much? Or, what if I receive the comment of “are you eating dog?” a common question asked by many of my peers. From this I am self-conscious of my culture and not able to embrace the different types of food I love to eat.
As I get older, however, it is soon time that I will need to look for a career. When people ask me about my dream and what I hope to become, I do not fall into the stereo-typical doctor or lawyer response but instead answer with, “I one day hope to become an actor that is able to break through the American entertainment industry.” Yet when stating this to anyone I get a chuckle or a laugh, even by my own parents. This is not because of my inability to act but instead, the slim likelihood of being accepted. In today’s society Korean-Americans are limited by what we are able to do. The entertainment industry does not yet view us as possible candidates to be a main actor or lead singer. Therefore I asked myself, would I rather be just an American, and the answer to that is no. As I have grown and the years have gone by my parents have been exposing me to the Korean culture--a culture that has brought together so many people and helped me develop as a person. Being a Korean to me shows a sense of identity that can never be lost. Not only that but we also have slowly been able to break through the hard shells of others, for example with a K-Pop group called BTS being able to win a Billboard Music Award. This gives me a huge sense of pride and happiness as I am able to see a non-American group win an American award.
Being a Korean-American also comes with many benefits that come with the culture. One of the most important aspects of the culture comes with respect. Something that lacks in today’s society. As seen in the media many people have been disrespecting women and others around us yet being a Korean, I have learned to respect everyone and anyone. This goes from elders to even those younger than me, as taught by my parents and their parents, that you should always respect those around you. Even the waitresses at Korean restaurants. Which is one of the greatest parts about being Korean. The food that we get to share with others in unbelievable and something that I love about being Korean. I would never give up Korean food such as kimchi or kalbi for any other cuisine because of how much it brings people together. Whenever eating dinner or lunch something that has been ingrained in me is having a meal with the family. No matter the time it takes for my father to get home, whether it be seven o clock or eight, we would always wait for him to arrive to share a meal. Korean food would also be able to bring together non-Koreans or friends of mine who have never heard of Korean food. It brings them into a part of my culture that they rarely see. One of the most well-known cuisine we share is Korean-bbq. Something that everyone seems to know.
Being a Korean American I would also like to emphasis the bond that we have together. One thing that I tend to notice is our community that we have built. Where ever I tend to go in New Jersey I always find another Korean American that is friends with another friend of mine. We are a tight knit group that is welcoming and respectful to others. An example of this would be the Asian Young Life club that has been running for a couple years now. This club brings together young Asians to meet one another and have fun at the same time. Making others feel comfortable about who they are and being Korean American.
I am truly honored to be a Korean American and I hope to one day through my ability be able to represent Korean Americans in the entertainment industry showing everyone, that we too can make an impact in America. Just as people like Ki Hong Lee is doing, in movies such as Maze Runner. Or, Arden Cho in TV-shows such as Teen Wolf. I too hope to become a beacon of hope that someone can look up to, to believe in their dreams.

<Christopher Park/10th Grade River Dell HS Oradell, NJ>