Growing Up Korean American | My Struggles

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month and I wanted to share my experience growing up Korean American. The older I get the more I realize how much my ethnicity shaped my journey in the US and would love for you guys to share your story as well.

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❐ ASIAN AMERICAN TAG Q'S ❏
1. Which ethnicity are you?
2. Which generation are you?
3. What is the first experience where you felt that demarcation of being a minority/different?
4. Were you always proud of your heritage or was there a time you rejected it?
5. What are some stereotypes that you struggle with?
6. Can you speak your language?
7. How has being Asian American affected your relationship with your parents?
8. How do you feel about your heritage now? Do you identify with it?
9. What is your favorite thing about being Asian American/your heritage?

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➥ Edited by moi

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❐ MUSIC ❏

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FTC: This video is NOT sponsored!

[imjennim]

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I share my experience as a Korean American. I would love for you guys to share your stories as well by answering a question or two from the tag. I really love reading what you guys have to say and we can all learn from each other. ❤

[pstt]

I am crying listening to your mom’s story. Your mom has the sweetest spirit even when she doesnt speak much in your videos :( God bless her always!

[snowpandalovemusic]

I cried hearing your story about your mother... So many people look down on low-income immigrant parents who can't speak English, without caring to know their stories of sacrifice and determination. Growing up, my dad worked as both a librarian and a janitor at night in addition to being an international student trying to earn his PhD. My mom was a stay-at-home mom who raised me and my brothers, doing her best to teach us piano, math, Korean, and help us with homework despite not knowing English well. One time, she was in a minor car accident with a White woman. A White police officer who arrived at the scene listened to the other woman, let her leave right away, and proceeded to write my mom a ticket. He ignored her attempts to explain and when she tried to show him her driver's licence, he threw it on the ground and left. No language barrier can EVER justify treating someone so disrespectfully. If the adult me now could go back in time to that moment, I would totally go off on that officer!! Looking back now, I am constantly flooded with admiration for my parent's strength and gratitude for everything they endured to give me and my brothers the best life they could, for always putting us first so that we could dream big and believe anything was possible

[secretmina]

People need to realise English is just a language! Not a scale of how intelligent you are. My dad can't speak English well but he is the most intelligent man I know.

[xtqwwdz]

부모님이 이민 1세대이기 때문에 고생을 참 많이 하셨을 것 같아요. 슬프네요...그래도 그 덕분에 지금의 삶을 살고있는것이기 때문에 참 감사하지요.

[english]

I almost cried listening to your mom's story. It must have been so tough for your parents to settle down in America.
I think their hard work has already paid off.
Look what a great person you are now! You are inspiring all these people from all over the world!!!

[ChloeTing]

I feel ya when it comes to articulating what's in your mind. I can never express well enough because I'm not that great in all the languages. There's always a barrier between my feels and my words! 😂To be honest, I always think that you are such a great speaker, in your videos and also in real life.
Yeah the bullying part definitely sucks, mine started quite a bit later since I moved to Australia after high school. I wish I had to courage to shut them up then as well. lol. Look at you now! So proud of you ! ❤

[EmeliaSings]

omg jenn... i had no idea what happened to your mom. i have no words. im just sending you and your family all the love i can. youre a wonderful woman! <3

[mikemuzzy]

We adopted our youngest daughter from Korea as a baby. She is now 39 years old and a pediatric nurse. We are so proud of her and it was so interesting to hear your story, your struggles, and your joys!

[saranghandamyeon]

I am at a loss for words really, you’ve said everything I’ve been feeling about my Vietnamese American identity for the longest time - the discrimination against my parents (a similar dangerous situation happened with my parents’ small businesses too), the inability to articulate what you want to say, and having to go to church and Vietnamese school and not really retaining it all. I’m really glad you made this video <3

[chloejung]

I'm so sorry about what happened to your mum, it breaks my heart into pieces. I related to you so much when you said that if your language isnt good enough people tend to underestimate you, it's so sad and should definately be changed :(

[jigvnwi]

저 진짜 울면서 봤어요...눈물, 콧물 다흘리면서...ㅠㅠㅠ
진짜 부모님께서도 너무 힘드셨을 것 같아요..
저는 미국유학때문에 시험보러 한달간 다녀왔었는데 말이 안통하고 영어를 잘못해서 무시하는듯한 느낌에 소심해져 있었거든요..근데 jenn 부모님께선 계속 거기 사시면서 일도 하시고 사람들과 부딪히는 일도 많으셨을거고...너무 고생하셨을 것 같아요...

[wywy]

Jenn, you are crazy articulate in your videos and for me that is a huge part of what distinguishes your content from a lot of other creators’ out there. It’s so surprising to find out that you feel like you’re not good at expressing yourself! Your voice has always been so genuine and candid in a sea of manufactured beauty/entertainment content, which is what I think has built you a huge following. This video in particular showcased that incredible ability of yours to emote and engage your audience. Shout out to Amy’s thoughtful questions, too!

Thank you so much for making this video. As a non-American Asian living in the West, I have my own struggles as an immigrant, but it was really inspiring and educational to learn about you and your family’s struggles and resilience as Asian Americans. It’s so great that you’re putting in effort to learn Korean now, never too late; our relationships with our parents will definitely improve with time, improved communication, and patience. I wish you guys nothing but the best in the future!

[TheFashionNMakeup]

Thank you for sharing your story with us Jenn! Especially the story about what happened to your mom, i actually teared up

[Chrisliu]

I cried when you mentioned your moms story :( thank you for this video, this is so relatable

[carlopaolucci]

As the son of Italian immigrants in Canada, I can truly relate to your story. It brought me to tears thinking back about what we went through. Today, I am a proud Canadian, but also so proud of my Italian heritage. It's my soul. What an amazing video Jenn. Thank you. Bless you girl.

[cathytran]

I'm sorry about what your mom went through. Your words n honesty about growing Korean American is inspiring. My parents are the first generation American so when you talked about the shit that they go through to have a better life for the next opened my eyes. I'm proud to say that I'm a Vietnamese American and I live who I am n my culture. Love you JENN!

[jeanettenevarez]

i am mexican american and I can relate to so many of the things you experienced. glad you made this video!

[poiikaer]

Last year, I tutored a 10 year-old Korean girl whose family moved to America for a year. One day, I showed her one of your videos as part of a grammar lesson-- I think it was your morning routine from years ago. She had some self-esteem issues because her english wasn't as good as her younger brother and she had glasses that she hated wearing but I wanted to help her feel more confident. She often felt discriminated against by teachers and classmates and I felt so bad. I showed her your video and told her about how you're Korean American and I that I thought she was going to look like you when she grows up. I wish you could have seen how she lit up! I truly think it meant a lot to her and you became someone she could look up to. I just wanted to share this with you in hopes that it makes you happy! This girl may have been able to relate you a young Jenn and I hope it feels great to know that, as an adult, you helped a girl in a similar situation. I love you and I teared up with you in this video!

[blue-vwny]

부모님이 정말 힘드신 시간이셨을텐데 특히 트라우마를 가질만한 사건이 있으셨던 어머님께서.. 그래도 따님이 이렇게 잘 자라줘서 자랑스러우실거에요 응원합니다