Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jake.K]

Hi. First of all, I'm a kyopo. I spent first half of my life in Korea and the latter half in Canada.

The problem is, since I'm still fluent in Korean, koreans consider me as one of them. Some may say that's a good thing but it isn't all that great. I'm expected to act like a korean but when I comply, it feels like a pretense. I wanna act foreign, speak only english, don't bow anymore, and now even (gasp) look foreign. I feel I have no similarity with these people.

Am I going through a cultural shock?
(A Korean person responding to that would say: "wtf?? A korean guy going through a cultural shock in korea? LOL!")

This feeling I have will raise many korean brows. If I told anyone that I don't really feel like a korean, they surely will throw stones at me. I'm a traitor. A waygook in korean's skin.

Anybody share these feelings with me? Like stuck somewhere between two cultures not sure which one you should belong.

[New Balance]

In my opinion you want your cake and eat it too. I'm still learning Korean, so when people accept me on equal terms, it's a relief. I'm long past my identity problem, but looks like you still have things to sort out. Good luck!

[Xuanzang]

Just speak English at them then. Dress how you want, like you would if you back home. Be yourself. Dont let this land of conformity crush who you are.

[victorology]

I'm half Korean but born and raised in America. I am fluent in Korean but I find I don't have the same problem with you. If I'm with Korean friends who can speak good English, I'll speak English with them... or Korean. I don't really care. If I'm with Koreans who aren't good at English, I'll speak Korean. No big deal.

Perhaps your experience is different from mine since you were born in Korea and lived here for a while.

[ntchimy]

[jajdude]

Odd, isn't it? Expected to conform because you look the same as the locals? I was mates with a guy in Seoul who was definitely more American than Korean, but he looked 100% Korean. He didn't give a crap and acted how he liked. I say screw 'em and just do whatever you feel is cool. Koreans were more comfortable and less awkward around him than me though, so it wasn't all bad.

Plus the guy could speak the lingo really well, and mine, well, not so good.

[samcheokguy]

gyopos have feelings? I didn't know that.

[oskinny1]

[Bigfeet]

You're having an identity crisis. You feel like a fake for acting Korean when you don't feel like one. Look at it in a different way. You have the advantages of both worlds. You can be Korean when you choose and be Western when you choose. Pure Westerners/Koreans don't have that option.

[samcheokguy]

[robot]

You're definitely not alone. A whopping number of gyopos I've met seem to be battling similar feelings.

I'd say that they have it the worst of all, often feeling somewhat distanced from both foreigners because of their heritage and Koreans because of their upbringing.

[KOREAN_MAN]

He's not having an identity crisis. He's well aware of his identity; he just can't stand how people treat him, that's all. I say live with it. Obviously they're not going to change but he can if he chooses to. Or wear a shirt that says "I'm not a Korean. Bite me."

[blaseblasphemener]

You obviously identify more with your non-Korean side, so roll with that.

[Mr Crowley]

[Jake.K]

Thank all of you for awesome responses