I’m moving to Korea!

Well, the days are nearing until I get on the plane. Although I’ve been to Korea 3 times already, this time it feels different. This time I’m moving to Korea to actually live there for how long ever that may be. Only time will tell.

A new chapter in my life is ready to unfold. I’m both excited to make the jump and a bit apprehensive of trying to blend in with Korean culture. It’s kind of funny because adapting to a new culture is something I’ve done once before. I was born in Korea and immigrated to U.S. at the age of 11. I lived in Southern California adapting and growing up. In a short time I’ve grown accustomed to calling America my home and became an American. However, this time I’m going to live in a new culture as an adult. As an adult, I already have established value system and culture instilled within me. No doubt cultural conflict will rear its head.

However, the whole point is to learn about my heritage and what makes Korean people tick. I suppose I’d be a foreigner observing through a looking glass. But, I’d be camouflaged well looking like any other Koreans under my Korean façade.

Here is the dilemma. Unlike many 1.5 and 2nd generation, I speak conversational Korean well enough. When a Korean person speaks to me in Korean, I can converse enough so that the other person would not suspect that I’m a gyopo. Then, they would expect me to follow Korean culture to the letter which I have problems with. If I start speaking to Korean people in English even though I speak Korean well, they would think that I’m some Korean guy who wants to showoff his English skills. This surely would offend many Korean people.

Perhaps I’m worrying too much. I suppose the formula for success will only come after trial and error. I just hope that I’ll figure it out soon. In the meantime, Good bye to United States of America which has been my home for the past 23 years. Upon my return I’ll have deeper appreciation for the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”