What's It Like Being Half Korean In Korea?
Vložit
- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- To support the Channel and also see the Full video checkout Patreon: / kexplorer
Interviewees
Julie: / jisoyl
Tomi: / silvrsurfr42
Théo: / to.jacq
My Socials
Instagram: / jerry.ric
TikTok: / k.explorer
Patreon: / kexplorer
Interviewees
me: instagram.com/jerry.ric/
Julie: instagram.com/jisoyl/
Tomi: instagram.com/silvrsurfr42/
Théo: instagram.com/to.jacq/
Full video: Patreon: patreon.com/kexplorer
Have just stumbled upon this channel. Thank you for interviewing children of adoptees. As a Korean adoptee myself, I always wondered what kids of Korean adoptees felt about the disconnection of their adopted parent and the country they were born in. I'd love to see you interviewing local Koreans and ask what is their perception of Korean adoptees coming back to Korea.
Without a doubt, you are excellent in doing interviews, asking relevant questions, putting people at ease to speak and the proper mannerism. Absolutely love your channel.
I agree, hes so polite and courteous
All beautiful people! I am also half Korean and American black but living in America. My experience in Korea as a child at 8 years old was fun and adventurous but traumatizing because of racism/colorism. I would get followed a lot out of curiosity by school girls but also treated very poorly by elderly people including my grandpa. I have had no desire to go back to Korea until now and I am 38.
I’m Korean American (English and Cherokee) too, and I’ve never wanted to go to Korea till I turned 50. Now it’s calling and it almost hurts.
I faced similar things too as a half Korean! Kids my age didn’t even want to be near me or be my friend growing up and even now as an adult I still get treated like a foreigner 24/7. Sad how little has changed societally.
I hope that if you do decide to go back that you end up having better experiences than you did as a kid~
지금의 한국은 너가 있었을 때보다 훨씬 개방적이다. 그런데 오고싶지 않으면 오지마.
@@blue3374 thank you! I think it will be better, the younger generation seems more open and accepting. I am sorry you are treated that way, I understand how you feel 💙
@@llewis921 Korea still has a long way to go but I do agree that many aspects are still much better compared to decades or generations ago.
It’s still very nice to relate to other half Koreans though! I’ve tried explaining my experience to other non-mixed Koreans but I feel like it’s hard for a lot of them to truly understand, especially if they haven’t lived as a minority before.
No matter what, Korea is our native country and ancestral land :) despite any drawbacks, we still have every claim to the country. Best of luck to any future travels if you decide to head back to the motherland! 💗
Oh god, this handsome half Korean French guy
He looks normal
Yeah, he’s beautifull AF
he’s short
he is gorgeous. facts
@@Lunaxoxo55 I like short
damn didnt expect two people with adoptee parents. its nice to see children of adoptees going back to korea. as an adoptee i hope i can raise my kid to appreciate their korean heritage because even if i cant pass the culture/language down to them, i can still pass the pride in their identity
ikr and both adopted to norway!
my father is arab, and my mother was Korean. she taught me hangul, but unfortunately there are not many people in my city with whom i can practice the language….so since childhood i’ve had a dream to visit korea and meet my relatives 🥲
Arab?
I honestly hope that your experience is a good one. Some Koreans will look down on you solely based on your appearance. They don't care if you're half. In their heads you " don't fit in."
As someone who grew up in sweden with a korean mother who also was adopted as a baby and only getting to experience one part of my culture it felt really good to hear people with similar stories share their experiences. Great video!
Jag vill bara säga hej
I feel that you as a child of a Korean adoptee, you may be ethnically half Korean, but you may not have the cultural basis since your mother would have been raised with Swedish cultural values and practices. My view toward people in your circumstance is that it's very brave of them to want to connect to their Korean side CULTURALLY since it's like starting from zero.
00
Same, but U.S. :) Do you think she meant getting a permanent visa is easier for adoptees and their children, or that it’s easier because she is also Norwegian and has a Norwegian passport?
@@jeremyconnor8625 no, where you have citizenship doesn't matter. If you are an adoptee, regardless of your current citizenship or gender (no req'm't for men to go to army either) you are given Korean citizenship if you apply. I believe you can obtain through your own adoptee mother. This is all possible because Korean citizenship is decided by blood not by where you are born. Hope this helps!
There must be lots of hardship you guys had here in Korea . But please do not forget that we welcome you all the time, any time. We love you
That's so sweet, thank you for saying that❤️
It’s sad that even if you’re a Korean from another country or mixed Korean, they’ll treat you extremely differently.
Koreans from another country are usually treated fine. It's the half Koreans that are not treated like Koreans
It’s like that in a lot of countries in Europe too. For example there is a big minority of Germans in Kazakhstan and Russia that came to Germany in the 80s and 90s. In Germany they’re still not considered German even if they stayed in their own communities and are able to speak understandable German.
Ironic because they'd force the singers to do surgery to look more white in features. They're also favourable of beautiful looking ppl then hating mixed Koreans. These difficult ppl keep stretching further with their discriminations.
@@linajurgensen4698 well if they speak understandable german but not perfect and if they are living in communities with a different culture from germans ofc they wont be considered full germans because culturally they arent. Like same thing with portuguese that went to france in the 80 if they dont speak perfect french and arent culturally the same as french ofc you dont think of them as french but on the other hand the ones who embranced the french culture learn the language perfectly and even gave french names to their kids instead of keeping using portuguese names are treated as any other french
@@eyeswideopen7777 it's not to look more white actually. There are Koreans with natural double lidded eyes.
interesting to see children of adoptees coming back to get to know their heritage, i think that’s really important, good for them. i hope they don’t let other people’s ignorance get in the way of them connecting with that part of them, that’s a beautiful thing.
I love the way you interview ppl and they get comfortable with u
Hi, also a halfie here! It was very interesting to see this topic in a Video, thank you so much! I'm half german, half korean and I felt really understood through this. Never really being a whole part of something is hard sometimes but having a good environment is key.
Always hope to meet more half Koreans and hear about their stories ☺️
Omg im also half German and half Korean hahaha
You speak Korean so beautifully, respectfully, and elegantly! I feel so happy to hear such well spoken Korean.
Very interesting to hear perspectives on being half-Korean from children of adoptees. Whenever I thought of the tension between 2 cultures and confusion about identity in mixed children (like some of my family and friends) I never thought about this specific scenario… not getting the beauty of both cultures. One culture being taken away is a fitting way to put it.
I think nowadays adoptive parents are more aware of the importance of a connection between the culture a child comes from but that wouldn’t be the case of someone who was adopted 50+ years ago.
its so weird they all have korean moms, but no korean dad's. When there is a one korean and one western parent, the korean one is usually the mom
That’s asians in general isn’t it..? And korea has had US military bases for 70 years. You can guess what happened.
It's just asians in general. I'm sure you know why. I myself am Asian, my husband is British.
Japanese too
Because Asian chick's are hot
White male asian female is how the dynamic usually goes it’s common
Mostly their mothers are korean and the father is from another country.
hope the lady in black jacket gets to build a family, makes friends, settles at a place with them to call it her home.
It’s interesting to see everyone’s experiences, I’ve had some of the same experiences too. Bottom line: 한국어를 잘 하면 더 쉬워요 😅👍
정말. This is so true.
My buddy was adopted by white people here in the US. They put him in a Korean Hagwon as a kid and teen so he knows the language and culture.
....I can relate to being mixed. I'm born and raised in London, grew up with an Egyptian Muslim mother, and was taught to speak Egyptian Arabic from childhood. My biological father is Scottish Swedish.
And I have a Swedish surname. ( Quite an irony that the 2 girls in the video are born and raised in Scandinavia 😎).
I always knew I was different and found myself embracing it from a young age. Now that I'm in my second decade of adulthood, I'm now rediscovering my Egyptian heritage and the culture, but I will always describe myself as British, coming from South London. I got to that decision after living in Egypt for 2 years.....
I'm also keen to visit Scotland and Sweden in the near future.
And I think a mixed race person could better understand the experiences and situations mentioned in the video.
Great and interesting content.
The interviewer should go into theater or movies, his voice, looks, and poise is spot on!
Really sad knowing that even if you are half Korean you still you get rested differently
As someone who’s one-quarter Korean & American. It’s cool! My halmoni is currently teaching me korean!
Interesting, I'm Italian and my wife is Korean so our 9 month old is half half. We were thinking to go live in Korea as he was super popular when we go there 😂
I think we are a match lol but my dad is korean and my mom is italian
I never heard the phrase riding the white horse, lol wow
I feel so sorry for (interracial) adoptees. The lady explained so well, that the culture is taken away from them..
Very interesting videos, thank you!
first and second girl should get to know each other lol. So much in common.
2nd girl here ✌️ we actually do know each other and we used to go to language school together back in Norway. Julie's a total sweetheart ❤️
My family never makes me feel out of place but the culture does. My sister who has the exact same parents actually has more the Korean appearance and more of the traditional body shape.
I am the opposite. I'm not fat but I'm definitely too thick to be looked at as an Asian. My coloring, hair texture and facial features also do not fit into the "mold" ( we're also half Puerto Rican). I have not been since I was a teenager and I was shielded from I guess people looking at me funny or whatever but I know in the States it has been like of tough. Being partially raised in Korea and having it be such a giant part of my identity makes it very hard when you are rejected by the same people who you identify with.
I have had full-blooded Koreans look at me crazy when I speak to them in Korean and they end up being very rude because I'm only half. It's like I can hear the thoughts going through their heads lol.
I hope that over time that being "pure blooded" ( which no one actually is anymore) isn't something that makes worthy of living or being treated with respect. That I'm not judged solely on my mix but by who I am, although I will say that with how Korean culture is, IF it EVER happens, it's gonna be decades down the road
Mix of nations does look sexy in people 😊 hope to visit Korea one day 🤞
Happy to hear all these thoughtful culturally and self-aware answers, but really loved the way Tomi spoke on it and discussed her experience. Held it down with strength and grace while even calling out the bullshit in a firm but gentle way. 🖤
The first thought that struck me was that the mothers of the two girls must have been adopted as ophans from the Korean War. Not a bad thing at all - they were very lucky. I met a Vietnamese adoptee who was adopted by a German couple he was "German through and through" and props to him, when I asked him where he was from he said "Germany", and when I asked "ethnic background?" he said Vietnam.
The two girls are legally and culturally Norwegian, and the guy French. It's really good that they have come back to discover their heritage and roots. It's tough for 1st generation children as they have one foot in the country they were raised in and one foot in the country there are ethnically from and in most cases "belonging" or being accepted (for the most part) by neither.
Actually, I highly doubt that they're Korean War adoptees. Perhaps you're mixing the time periods because you're thinking about the Vietnam war. The problem with that is , Vietnam war ended in 1975, whereas the Korean War ended in 1953. So the vast majority of orphans were born in the 1940s, which means they're in their 70s and 80s. Accordingly, the vast majority of their children are in their 40s or 50s, and perhaps 30s if they gave birth really, really late (especially for their time).
Also, when the Korean war happened the international adoption system wasn't well-developed in Korea in the 50s and 60s. Some orphans were adopted abroad, but most orphans stayed in Korea, whether in orphanages or on the street (Yes, there were too many orphans, and Korea was recovering from the war, so there weren't enough orphanages in the beginning). The international adoption boom happened in the 70s and 80s, which is when Korea started to get international and establish international adoption organizations but still was not wealthy enough to take all the children in. Children sent for adoption were not war orphans but kids whose families were impoverished, kids who had teen moms or moms who were in extramarital relationships, kids who lost their parents somehow and the police didn't want to do work and simply sent them to orphanages (yes, these really happened back then), kids who had a physical condition that's too expensive to treat back in the days, etc, etc.
the girl with the yellow hair speaks very good english and of course you sound like a native korean, K.
Norwegian is a sister language with English so maybe because it’s fairly easy to learn English as a Norwegian
this is a very interesting topic. I would like to see more videos on half koreans
Man keep these comin, I love them💯😭
In Asian + white couples 12/10 the mom is Asian and the father is white. (jk)
That's because in nearly all Asian countries, the girls family will "allow" interracial marriage if the guy is white or American POC - maybe even UK POC. Very hard if the guy is African or Indian Subcontinent. Most families oppose/discourage their son's, especially first borns, from interracial marriage due to the obsession of keeping bloodlines/linage pure. The higher in wealth and status the family is the less likely Interational marriage will be allowed by the elders.
@@lasithajayawardana9559 Indians are also asians. Why be against that ?
@@MissShey89economic status and colorism. Dark skin is not a Korean beauty standard
@@MissShey89 Indians aren't Asians. Koreans don't see Indians as the same race as them.
@@mframemusicdtp Its not just colorism its also facial features as well. Indians have distinct facial features that Koreans don't like.
Interesting how towards the end of the video, she said she doesn't have a life in Norway despite having originally grown up there. I'd like to know exactly what else happened to her in Norway for her to make a statement like that .. I mean, I myself as a British-Filipino sometimes feel that way when it comes to opportunities here in the UK. I've done a variety of different jobs & am beginning to think maybe I myself should venture out & perhaps try the Philippines or somewhere else .. I'm in different minds about it.
Think about they are all mixed but only the mothers are korean, not men. Something to think about comparing to cultures on how koreans treat women.
Why does the black haired half Norwegian's accent sound Indian to me 😂
I'm half Korean, but I'm black. 😢 😭 I now live in Philippines, they think I'm Basayan. In Colombia they think I'm one of them.
Living in Korea as many people dream bcs of Kpop, it's not as easy as it's shown in the eyes of the world. We become fans of kpop groups, marathon watch of kdrama and anything related to korea, we're shown with beauty and kindness of ppl, the beauty of nature, goodness.. Until we forget tht every thing must hv something hidden. Every country will definitely show the goodness of their own country. But we need to know tht the reality of every country must hv its shortcomings as well. I'm not saying Korea is a bad country. I'm not a Korean, but i do fans of kpop, also luv to watch kdrama, i also learning Korean language right now (bcs my life right now is just full of Korea👀). But we need to be grounded in the real world and tht reality is very necessary☺️ I hope, their society there will be more open-minded.. not just them, also us. Indeed, they're now one of the world icon🥰
Korea has a very traumatic history that is ongoing. It is literally split into two (North Korea) and in perpetual war. And this following years and years of intensely brutal Japanese occupation. And that’s only just a few of the things important to know in order to understand the country. The same way you’d need to understand a friend and their hardships…
@@EphesianRose no doubt that, u are no wrong. But despite having a hardship, they still should be kind toward others. Bcs they're not only toxic to their ppl, they're also toxic to foreigners. There are also other countries tht are experiencing hardships but are still able to be kind to everyone. But they (i'm not say all Koreans), u hv no pretty/handsome looks (based on their beauty standard), u hv dark skin, u cant speak Korean, you'll be a big problems for them and you'll be treated like criminals and as if u dont deserve to be in their country.. the fact is, all these are among the main problems tht are always discussed by international netizens.
So i'm just thinking of wht does all this racism (and so on) hv to do with the country's problems they're facing?
@@edressa.xrwxn__ You are right Edressa. That’s why as a half-Korean, I prefer to live in the states. I just think sometimes people need to know why some cultures are more closed off. And Korean culture and history - plus its massive economic development speed in past few decades after being very isolated from rest of the world - to now having a permanent foreign military presence (US bases etc…) sets up a unique dynamic unlike any other place in Asia - that I think visitors need to better understand. But the criticisms are still very much valid!
@@EphesianRose aaahhh... U should tell me earlier tht u are half-Korean. so tht i better to ask u more abt it. But well, as i said, i dont deny tht there are still many good people in Korea. At least many artists, influencers, Kpop idols and actors (who have a strong influence) hv a very good attitude to show to the world. I know every country must have its weaknesses even my country as well. Even if u try to hide it, there will still be outsiders who know everything abt it. But if we're talking abt Korea, Korea is a very famous country. Korean should be proud. I'm also impressed with Korea. But kindness is very necessary for all human beings all over the earth, it doesnt matter if u are dark or bright, ugly or beautiful, fat or thin, and etc. If they still think abt this matter, ppl will know & love Korea just bcs of Kpop & Kdrama only🥲
Hello! I have a question. Where are you from?
there were many adoptees in Norway from Korea especially during 80s and 90s
its because of korean government and holt organization.
they sent many babies abroad even they had parents and not be thrown away from their parents.
(I mean some babies are kidnapped and sent to nordic countires cause of "MONEY")
and sadly, many korean people regard adoptees just pity as "tomi" mentioned.
Its really strange story, I hope Korean government and Holt Organization should speak out as soon as possible.
why is it always "my mom is korean".. well NOW we are ready to FIX that ratio!!! korean men @ me lol
I dont know about that..patriarachy is strong force even today. Korean men have extra cultural burden of carrying the family bloodline
Asian females are considered attractive and beautiful. Their race is an asset that they take advantage of. For Asian males, their race is a liability and they have to face racism and discrimination. Lots of Asian males single for life because of this. Very sad.
@@kimckawa Present evidence to support your statement.
Mdrrr c’est pas Théo le pote à pape san 0:38 🤣😭
C'est bien lui, j'étais surprise aussi de le voir!
Curious question. Why is it almost the mom who’s Asian and the dad a different race with mixed families? How come it’s not the other way around?
It’s a very patriarchal society. There is more pressure for a Korean male to carry on the family bloodline. So probably more pressure on a Korean male to marry a Korean female. Easier for a Korean female to marry a foreigner tbh, and South Korea was a very poor country for a long time after the Korean War (very different from the modern society we see now), so in a way, it’s survival for Korean females to marry a foreigner if she couldn’t marry a Korean husband. Lots of times, Korean families did indeed financially back sons over daughters too.
If you look at the statistics though, more men marry non-Koreans, compared to women in Korea. It’s just that Korean men tend to marry other Asians (Chinese, Japanese, SEA, etc) while Korean women also tend to marry other races more so it’s just more visible
Boys are rarely given up for adoption.
@@blue3374 Are you talking about Koreans in Korea or Koreans outside of Korea?
In the cases above, it's the adoptees are likely from the Korean war.
Please do a video interviewing south east Asians or asian Americans
Interesting, Mr.Jerry!! What is your own opinion about Koreans?? I am Korean guy (adopted)! From Norway
i’m half korean but living in kazakhstan basic
I love to see the children of Korean adoptees speaking on this episode. I am a Korean American adoptee and I have two mixed sons and I wonder how they will identify and what their experiences will be.
The half french guy looks like a native american
It's funny how it's always the female that's Asian.
I noticed that too. Why is it always the case?
@@catalinarossi1) males in Korea are pressured to keep bloodlines pure
2) women in Korea have fewer rights than men
@@user-d2fiv91no1 It’s international though, not necessarily interracial. Korean men marry outside of Korea more but it’s usually mostly to Asian women from other countries
@@mframemusicdtp wow... do you live in korea 20years back??? hhh
The situations were likely because of the Korean War.
k explorer. you are a boss. great video
I find it interesting that most of the mixed Koreans that you've interviewed in this video and the one with guys with American and Nigerian dads, it's the mothers that are Korean. Is it that Korean women are more adventurous and likely to date outside of their race than their male counterparts? Or maybe it's just the sample size interviewed is too small to draw that conclusion. It's interesting however.
Your videos are just awesome...
The choice of question is really good ..
You make them really comfortable..
Can you please make one video with Indians living in South Korea
aww😊loved the video it was much fun 😂they are so beautiful they can be models specially the guy since he’s tall the video was wonderful
It'd be cool if the two girls from Norway got to meet each other
Theo looks good
Didn’t think I needed this fam, Good shit!!!
이야... 역시 피는 물보다 진하군. 내가 이래서 해외동포들에게 혜택을 주는 정책에 반대 안한다.한국은 해외 사는 동포들하고 더 자주 더 많이 교류해야함
I want to go back to Korea too. Nothing to do in Canada.
He is so handsome and tall; I bet he's popular with women. Plus he's French.
All of you are gorgeous...Korean blood is beautiful!!!!
I myself am an older half Korean half caucasian (my mom is Korean and my dad is caucasian from America) and I look more caucasian.
I'm interested to hear about bullying experiences for being mixed. And how they survived through it
I would love for you to do an ama or q&a about yourself
I like the way he talks.
first girl sounds so much like matilda djerf, she has the exact same accent in english. i think generally matilda doesn't let her swedish pronunciation shine through in her english as much as the average swede, so i guess she sounds much more similar to a norwegian
Why must people be so judgemental? We all are children of God and he loves us equally. Pls be nice to one another 🙏
Lol this is like when I watched the blasian check compilation on tiktok and the mom was always Asian and the dads were always black 😩
That'll change soon, you can be the 1st to do it lmao
@@dreamxhan142 😱
Iady in black jacket looks like a woman from middle East. Her accent also...
Ghana boys here, I wanted to see some video comments on the world cup
A person born overseas but has at least one Korean parent has more rights in Korea than someone born in Korea but the parents are not Korean. It's a very race based culture.
Interesting that all their mothers are Korean. Is it that Korean women are more open to marrying outside of their ethnicity?
Patriarachy. Korean men hv cultural burden of keeping the bloodline going and caring for the parents as they age. But in both Norwegian case, their mothers were adoptees so practically raised White so ofc they will wed White Norwegians;
@@kimckawa That makes sense.
Likely because of the Korean War.
I never imagine that I would see a blond haired Korean and not dyed.
It must’ve been quite the hassle filming this video over (what i think is probably a lot) the time, especially trying remembering the same questions if not scripted.
VERY INTERESTING!
It's so crazy in a way. The second girl descends from Korean and Norwegian parents but looks dead on from central America.
Théo des lives de Pape san ?
Yep! Il a une chaîne twitch aussi maintenant ;)
What I realize is that most times the mother is korean. Is it the men are less likeky to marry non-koreans ?
Korean men are more likely to marry a korean or a asian women of a different ethnic background but barely white and black(non asians)
As a half Korean myself and where i live i know many many half Koreans.. i would never ever believe that the girl with black hair has any korean ancestors..:)
She came out looking Latina 😊
@@lovejones2179 But latinos come in every shape and color.
@@franciscovilcheavila960 yes they are
That’s the way it is for me and my siblings. Everyone thinks my brother is Pacific Islander my sister they think is straight up white. She fits the Korean beauty standard with pale Irish skin green eyes and heart shaped face. Me, everyone thinks I am half white and half Mexican. Dark hair, light brown eyes and I am pretty fair. That’s why they think I am half. Living in Cali sometimes people speak to me in Spanish but I have never had anyone guess I am half Asian. It’s the huge eyes. I have what I consider Korean features. I look a lot like my mom.
@@wowamy4196my brother and I used to get a lot of ppl coming up to us speaking Spanish, too (he looked a little like Keanu Reeves)
The guy he’s talking to looks like Kiryu’s brother from Yakuza 0.
“Riding the white horse” after almost choking, I’m stealing it.
I’m sorry but the French guy was hot.
Spotted: le grand T !!
The brown haired girl looks Latina but sounds Indian 🤔
Interesting…. I am korean myself but i wish to move to another country if i can….
Can you ask someone who half korean and southeast asian (philipines, malaysia, indonesia) or african or indian (bangladesh or sri lankan also) or middle east as well ?
Lol first girl we can see shes kind of asian
But other two do not even look like half korean
To the interviewer. Where are you from ? You speak korean so good. And i like the way you interview people.
Through model Han Hyun-min, I learned that Koreans with different looks can exist. Through Jonathan from Congo, I learned that some people live with a Korean identity, although their nationality and race are different. From now on, there will be an era when you choose your identity, not Koreans.
Not really.
저는 일본과 한국 혼혈이고, 아버지가 일본인이라 "가짜 한국인"이라고 불리기도 해... 때때로 아버지와 조금 일본어로 얘기하기도 해서
She clearly looks half Korean
Theo is hot LMAO
none of their dad is Korean.
IT IS SUCH A SMALL WORLD.
Bruh I need to hear him speak Korean
New subscriber
You know what? I was guessing the dark haired half Korean girl would be Malaysian or Indian. I wonder if she's been to those areas and whether she'd like it there 🤔😊
doesn't look remotely Indian. way too light.
Ah mais il y a Théo-nim !!!
Wow, just one looked Korean. I kind of feel bad for the one that does look Korean because a lot of people will expect them to know the language and culture, like more is expected of them. The other two can be assumed to be European and get away with not understanding certain situations or things.
Yeah if you see some koreans replying to your comments saying leave korea with their koreans, thats how koreans think if you have the slightest critcism about korea your wrong and you have to leave. A very closed minded society here.