When bringing up New York City, it is almost impossible to avoid conversations about its multicultural population and immigration history. In the late 1800s to 1900s, millions of immigrants from all parts of the world including Europe and Asia, planted their homes in America. Since many were poor and lacked skills such as speaking English, the majority just remained in New York, resorting to unskilled labor in factories as a means of keeping their families alive. But one might ask, why did these people come to America if life was so difficult here? Well, the reason is that before coming here many were oblivious of these hardships. To them, America was a land of promises where they were given the chance to live the “American Dream” of going from rags to riches, through the input of hard work. Many also came to escape war, poverty, famine and religious intolerance in their mother countries.
This was the case for Seung Won (Leo) Chung’s parents as well. Leo was born in Dong Du Cheon, South Korea and in 1998, immigrated to America with his family to reunite with his father. Both of his parents were college graduates and had careers back in South Korea: his mother was a hematologist, someone who studies blood, and his father, an engineer. However, according to what Leo’s parent told him, “Korea back then was super poor. It was still in the process of developing the big corporations that really rule about right now.” In addition, his parents struggled with debt as a result of attending college, and for them America was then the answer.
Dong Du Cheon, South Korea
Years before Leo’s family came, like most other Koreans, his uncle had started a small supermarket. Unfortunately, it wasn’t succeeding like he had expected and so he had asked Leo’s father to come and help him run the business. After staying for a while, Leo’s father started to believe that America was a place of opportunities for economic progression and would be promising for his family. Therefore, after stabilizing life in America, Leo’s father sent for the rest of his family. Unlike what he had expected however, transitioning into life in America was not easy. In fact, it was more like a rollercoaster with many highs and lows. Leo explains, “My parents expected a smooth ride. They didn’t think the recessions would affect their small business but like every recession, they had a lot of trouble. Business became hard to sustain and we lost many luxuries like family dinners and expensive clothing.” This was the story for almost all immigrants at the time. Despite working hard, only a small percentage of the immigrant population actually made their way to great wealth.
Another reason why Leo’s parents made the decision to move here was to provide better educational opportunities and a brighter future for their kids. “In both South Korea and America, it is very competitive,” Leo says. “This is true both education wise and job finding wise.” In America, there are Ivy League Schools that many students strive to get into, however if one doesn’t make it, one can always go to a City or State University and still end up with a great job. On the other hand, this is nearly untrue in South Korea. There, they have SKY, which stands for Seoul, Korea, and Yonsei Universities and are basically the same as Ivy Leagues here. The difference is that, as Leo says, “With SKY, you make it or you break it.” In Korea, not making the cut for these school means facing great difficulties landing a decent career. Just like any other parent that loves their children, Leo’s parents didn’t want their kids to be restricted by this.
Typical Korean Supermarket
After arriving to America, Leo’s family resided in Sheep Shead Bay, Brooklyn. Settling in this neighborhood was somewhat surprising since most Korean immigrants tended to gather up in Queens; however, Leo’s father’s business was in Brooklyn and what they chose was the most affordable housing available. For this reason, as a child, Leo did not really feel much connection to his neighborhood. The community was primarily Russians and Blacks, which left him feeling as if he didn’t fit in. In addition, when compared to Queens, where most of his Korean friends lived, “Brooklyn seemed a little ghetto and wild.” Something that Leo does love about Brooklyn however is that it is close to the city and has a boatload of mouthwatering foods. This represents a very common trend among immigrants who arrived in America. Since all were arriving from different places, practicing diverse traditions, eating different foods, speaking distinct languages and having unique appearances, the only way to find commonality was by sticking to your group. In Leo’s case, despite not loving the neighborhood due the lack of sense of belonging, he stills manages to find his place and appreciate what the neighborhood offers.
Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
One thing that Leo did find connection to in America though, was his Korean Church. “Even though I didn’t get to live in Korea,” Leo says, “there [the Korean Church], they taught me the same Korean values any child would feel in South Korea. I didn’t feel like I missed out much.” In addition to this, Leo’s parents are considered to be more traditional. They own a supermarket of their own, which Leo chuckles, “Koreans are known for,” and “they follow a lot of the same cultural practices like wearing the hanbok, which is the traditional Korean robe.” Leo’s parents also try to stay in touch with family in Korea, however this has been reduced since most of the younger generation has also immigrated to other places like China and Singapore. This leaves mostly only the older generation in South Korea. Living in America, Leo’s parents have tried to assimilate into the culture, however, for the most part, they still stick to their Korean roots. This was passed on greatly to Leo and so when asked of his identity, he considers himself to be an “Americanized South Korean, but more Korean.”
Examples of Korean Culture. Hanbok on left
Despite being born in South Korea, Leo immigrated at the mere age of one and therefore never really experienced life in Korea. He did however go back to visit his birth country approximately ten years ago and had many fond memories of it. “It was a very clean place in comparison to here,” Leo adds with a smile. “No gum on the streets, and I felt it was a little bit more natural even though it was part of a city.” In addition, Leo also brings up that Koreans actually follows a lot of American trends. Take pop culture for example. Based on what Leo said, Koreans really enjoy hip hop and follow American fashion. He also adds that, “Many also speak very fluent English, as a result of the American influence.”
Examples of American Influence
Even though, Leo’s parents did believe that America was the place for their family to succeed, they never had the intent to stay for long. “But, because of the economic problems both here and in Korea,” Leo explains, “it took them a little longer to realize that we would be staying here up to now.” After visiting Korea, Leo also realizes that if his parents had stayed in Korea, they’re family might have been economically better but he then brings back that “it is easier to find a job specifically for my major here.” Unlike his parents, Leo does intend to remain in America. Although he does not associate himself as an American and disagrees with the phrase, “assimilating into America,” which he replaces with “growing up in the American society,” he does however, enjoy living here. In New York, he is able to experience and explore both the American and Korean culture, giving him a chance to find the best of both worlds.
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