{My Half Korean Project}
So, if you didn’t know, I come from a multi-cultural background. My mother is full Korean and my father is a medley of Scottish and Cherokee Indian. They met in your typical way – military. My father was stationed in Korea and my mom was waitress in the mess hall.
I know some people reading this might not understand why I feel the need to talk about being half Korean and half caucasian, but if you are biracial, you understand the need to connect with others that come from the same blended cultural background. Like most of us have experienced, we look Asian around caucasian people and caucasian among Asian people. I always feel like I’m racially ambiguous, lol. I’ve been mistaken for Samoan, Mexican, Native American, and half Japanese. I should have been in the CIA or something :)
I’m also doing this for my son, Christian. My parents never really talked about me being biracial and many times growing up, I struggled with it. Since he’s 1/4 Korean, he won’t get a lot of “What are you??” but I don’t want him to forget that his grandmother is Korean and to never be ashamed of his Korean background.
I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a small group of other half Korean kids growing up. I asked them at the beginning of the summer if they wouldn’t mind getting together at the old Korean church where we all met to do a photo shoot. It took some time to work out the perfect day everyone was available, but we did it. I also interrogated them with a few questions about being half Korean. So I will begin blogging about my interviews with each of my old friends and their experiences growing up in the midwest coming from a mixed cultural background.
One thing that I am constantly amazed with is just how different everyones experiences were growing up, especially the new half Koreans I have come into contact with via Facebook! I absolutely love connecting with other half Koreans.
My first interview is Kim
Stay tuned!
Hi!
I came across your website through my dad and just got really excited that you know so many half Koreans! My mom is full korean and my dad is half German and half Slavic, making me also a half korean. Out of my entire life I have only ever met 4 half Koreans, other than my brother, and have only been slightly in contact with one who just moved to Korea this past year. So now it’s been a little lonely being one of the only half Koreans in Washington that I know of (there are a few other half Asians, but it still isn’t quite the same).
Well I just thought I’d say hello and get in touch with you especially since you mentioned you love connecting with other half Koreans! :)
– gabby
Gabby! I know how you feel though. Before I started attending that Korean church, I knew no other half Koreans and you’re right, it is a bit lonely. Are you on facebook? So glad you contacted me! :)
Hey Gabby,
You may be the closest mix I have come across (other than the kids of my friends who are a Korean/Slovakian couple). My mom is full Korean and my dad is Czech american. I’d be interested to see if we (or our siblings) have any similarities.
Hi Tracy!
That’s awesome! :) feel free to shoot me an email at gabby.benuska@gmail.com or message me on Facebook!
I love that you made this project! I am a Quapa, (my dad is half Korean), and my mom immigrated from Eastern Germany in the 80’s. I love being mixed, but I do not know many other Korean hapas or quapas. would love to meet some though! I have almost black hair to my waist, white skin and almond shaped blue eyes. I am short and very petite. People usually think I am Hispanic, Kyrgz, Russian or just central Asian in general. I have never met someone who looks like me, I guess besides my hair color and my straight nose, I have many Asian features with the coloring of a white person. I am from WA state and there many, many, many Koreans here, but I have not met other mixed people. I like what you said about quapas needing to know where they came from, because it is true that we still are Korean. I find it interesting how some people say they are a quarter Russian or they are a quarter Irish, and express their only race as Russian or Irish, but if I were to say that about being Korean it would be deemed false. I hope your son takes an interest in his culture and knows that he is not alone when he has those weird mixed feelings. I love your pictures and wish you well with your project!!!! :)
Olivia! Thank you so much for commenting :-) I completely understand what you’re saying – when you’re of European background, it’s easier. If you’re of Asian background, it’s a little tougher since you clearly don’t look full. Are you on Facebook? I’ll look for ya :-) so glad you contacted me!
Good luck on your project :)
Thank you Tammy! :)
Absolutely love this project!!!! Its so nice to be able to identify myself with all these fellow half asian by the answers they give! It gives me a sense of belonging greater than I have ever imagined! Thank you and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this project! Magnificent IDEA!!!! :D
Luana! Thank you so much for your kind words :) That is the main reason I wanted to do this….for others to be able to identify with someone. Thank you again, Luana!
Cristal, your project is awesome! I love the fact that more and more of our mixed koreans out there are voicing our stories! It’s like hearing a little bit about your own life, keep up the good work!
Gorgeous photos and models! I especially loved “getting together at the old Korean church where we all met to do a photo shoot.” a little something most of us are familiar with! Church to our mothers is more than religion, it is a little piece of home, a place where they can be around others from their Homeland. These church members become the family they miss in Korea. I have too many Emo’s to count! We come from such a beautiful culture, deeply rooted in love, family, tradition, and honor. I am so happy to see others from my back round who are just as in love with where they came from. Amazing!
Such a great project! I’ve been reading your interviews with other half koreans (via FB halkorean group) and it’s like a breath of fresh air (too corny?). :) Really, when I was younger I grew up with tons of half-Koreans living in Seoul, but found myself (and brother) to be only half korean in the neighborhood (more like the entire town) after moving back to the US in the early 90s. I’m hoping to one day recognize a face from my childhood through your interviews. We will see! Just wanted to show my support and say gamsahabnida!
Very cool project – I love this! How lucky you knew some other halfies growing up! I’m half-korean too, but didn’t know any other half Koreans (or other Asians for that matter in my tiny corner of the midwest) while growing up :P I always intrigued by other half-koreans’ backgrounds and experiences too.
Wonderful project! I can relate to so many things you wrote about in your introduction, and it’s so nice to be able to do just that–read about someone else’s experiences that are so close to your own (which has been rare for me). I’m half-Korean, half-Irish and my 15-month-old son is also 1/4 Korean. I adore your photo with him! My son wore his first hanbok for his 1st birthday, and now I wish I had worn mine with him! I appreciate your blog more than I can express. :)
Hi Kathryn! Thank you so much for the kind words :) Find me on Facebook! Cristal Solomon.
Finally, a video for all of us halfies that explains our problems dealing with people! If your of mixed ethnicity, you’re going to love this video. Like and share for all the other halfies out there!
http://www.qltyctrl.com/16-things-never-say-mixed-race-people-true/
Hi! Im just a 13 year old half Korean and half European guy. My mom is full korean and she is 5’5″but she was adopted and brought to the US as an infant so I have no contact with any Korean ancestors :( . My dad’s ancestors are from Europe( I am not sure exactly where in Europe) but he is 6′ 2″ and I am 5’10”. As a small kid my mom always said I would be short like her…. but I turned out to be not so short. Since 7th grade(Im now in 8th) my friends have always made comments about me being (Asian). I haven’t had any major bullying issues though. I have friends of all minorities mexican,white,black, half black, and a half filipino friend. Some of my old friends I used to hang out with made fun of me being half asian but a smack to the face got them in line.lol. I jonestly never understood why they ever made fun of me for it I would understand other things like doing something dumb. The racism just doesn’t make sense to me.If you would talk to me about this topic add me on Facebook. My name is Dalton Whittington
Hi Dalton! :) I tried looking you up on FB, but to my surprise, there are a lot of Dalton Whittingtons :) Thank you so much for commenting and taking the time to read my blog. There are 2 half korean pages on FB, you should join!
Hello! I just wanted to say that this project is amazing!! — I’m a quapa girl. My father is half Korean/ half Native American ( and what ever else ) , and my mother is German/Scottish/Irish. However, I seemed to have garnered most of the Asian features, save for the fact that my natural hair color is brunette and that I smile like my mother. =] I got a lot of interesting questions growing up in a very small, predominantly Caucasian/Mexican town and so did my brother who looks solely like our mom. — So happy to know there there is a growing community of mixed Asians out there just like us!
Find me on Facebook! :) cristal solomon So glad you enjoy the project. My son is a quapa! :)
Just added ! <3