Tae Mi K.
Where is your hometown?
I grew up in Mokpo, Korea. It’s a city near the coast of Korea. I remember eating a lot of seafood growing up, playing at the beach, riding boats with my family … I had the typical coastal childhood. After I graduated from high school, I moved to Seoul with my sister. I loved living by the beach, but I was always more drawn to the city life. There’s a thrill about living in the city. I was never a small-town girl.
When did you immigrate to the United States?
[I immigrated in] March 2001. To be honest, I didn’t expect to come to the United States. My husband and I were married, and we had a 5-year-old son. My husband’s job required him to immigrate to the United States, so I kind of had to come. I followed my husband here for his job. I planned to raise my kids well, find a job here, and live well here. I’d say I’m 70% to my goal.
How has Koreatown changed from when you arrived in 2001 to now?
First off, it’s gotten extremely dirty, and lots of homeless people have appeared. Second off, a lot of apartments and Korean markets have appeared. Most of the old restaurants have disappeared as well. Gin-sang was a Shabu-Shabu restaurant on Olympic Blvd. that closed down. I have mixed feelings about the change. I’m disappointed that our town has gotten so dirty, but I’m happy that Koreatown has developed much more to support its residents. There are so many legal services for the residents in Koreatown. Honestly speaking, as a Korean immigrant, you can get by without learning English. Almost everyone in Koreatown speaks Korean.
What are some hardships you’ve experienced as an immigrant?
Obviously, it would be the language. I wasn’t young when I came here. I was in my mid-30s, and I had to learn English. At the time, there weren’t a lot of language services in Koreatown. I had to get things done [on my own]. Because I wasn’t familiar with the U.S. and its culture, learning and adapting were difficult. There is a lot of waiting wherever you go in America. Whether it’s the hospital or the DMV, everything is just slower here. My first trip to the DMV was terrible. In Korea, I never had to wait five or more hours just to get an ID.
How did you overcome these hardships?
Through the power of God. I have been a Christian for 20+ years now. In Korea, I never wanted to go to church because I thought it was worthless and a waste of my time. My sister would always push me to go to church, but I never wanted to go. I just wanted to work, have fun, and enjoy life.
In America, my neighbors encouraged me to go, and I met an incredible Christian community. I don’t know what changed. Yes, Christianity is the same in Korea and America, but I decided to go to church here. Maybe it was the support that I was drawn towards. Maybe it was the people. I don’t know what it is, but attending church changed my life for the better.
How has Christianity helped you?
It gives me faith during dark times. I pray a lot and feel like I am being watched over. My family is being watched over. It taught me patience, trust, and humility. It helped me become a better person.
My church has also been an incredible community. I love my church members because we always support each other through the good and the bad times.
How did you overcome the language barrier?
I went to [English Second Language] classes for two years diligently. My first ESL class was at Hobart Elementary School. There were classes between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. They also provided daycare services. It used to be extremely well-funded. There were classes all the time. I walked and rode public transportation to get there. That’s how I learned English. When I got my first job, I had to stop attending the ESL classes for three years. When I tried to start attending ESL classes again, I was surprised by how underfunded they were.
What is your most memorable memory of the ESL classes?
Cory was my first ESL teacher. I remember going to class on 9/11. Cory was always happy and smiling, but on 9/11, she was so sad. She explained to the class about what happened, and her patriotism and sincerity really touched me. I think my teachers had the biggest impact on me. They taught me most about the American values of respect, politeness, and mindfulness.
Interview by Abigail Eun
Why did you start attending ESL classes?
The woman living next door to my apartment told me about the ESL classes, which is how I started attending them. The first memories that I have in America are holding hands with my 3-year-old son and going to those ESL classes. I always liked the English language, even in high school in Korea. That’s why I always wanted to learn English. I continued attending ESL classes because I went to the housing department once, and it was just so difficult to get the paperwork done. There was a Korean worker there, but ironically, she didn’t even help. That was when I found my resolve in attending class; I didn’t want to be helpless or ignored in this country.
What kind of people did you meet at the ESL classes?
Mostly Hispanic people, African Americans, and Armenians. There was [a lot] of culture there. Some Korean grandmothers came to improve their writing and grammar skills.
What was the best part about the ESL classes?
Honestly, I liked it all. I met American teachers and learned more about American culture. There was no discrimination in the classes. Everyone could work hard and participate. Mr. Bruce, Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Church were my three favorite ESL teachers. They all were extremely capable teachers, and they all had great relationships with me. They were kind and humble people. They never cared about wearing designer clothes or looking [flashy]; they dressed smart and clean. My teachers saved their money and loved to travel in the summer. They enjoyed their lives and were satisfied and proud of their jobs. Unfortunately, I lost touch with them once I finished all of the ESL classes. I finished all of the levels, and Mr. Church couldn’t keep me in his class forever.
What is your favorite thing about Koreatown?
I like how you can buy Korean supplies whenever you want. For example, you can buy doengjang (된장 — fermented soybean paste), gochujang (고추장 — Korean fermented red chili paste), rice cakes, etc. The best part is that I can eat Korean food whenever I want.
So, food and lifestyle were not an issue for you when you immigrated?
Definitely not. I love experiencing other cultures and trying new foods. I particularly like Spanish food. I had it for the first time when I immigrated here. I also met Hispanic people for the first time. My experiences in America have been so fun. I like meeting new people. I grew up and stayed in Korea my entire life. What I liked about America is that I can stay in one place and still meet so many different kinds of people.
Where did you work in Koreatown?
I worked at a drugstore, a beauty supply store, a bakery, and multiple restaurants. My first job was at the beauty supply store. I worked there for around two or three months, but I quit because of the schedule. They only needed night workers, and my son was 3 years old at the time. My next job was at a drugstore, kind of like a Korean Ralphs or CVS. I had to quit because the store was going under. From then on, I bounced around different restaurants through [recommendations from] my church members.
What is your favorite restaurant in Koreatown?
I don’t have one currently, but I used to love Korean BBQs. I just like to cook at home, to be honest.
What is the difference between Korean and American culture? Which do you prefer?
The cultures are extremely different. One thing that shocked me when I came to America was the difference in mannerisms. In America, everyone sees one another as neighbors. They apologize when they bump into each other and are considerate of the other person. Even with the tiniest disturbances, the American people apologize. In Korea, everyone is already their own person with their own business. I’m not saying that Korean culture is more “rude,” per se, but Americans are more considerate of one another.
How has COVID-19 affected your home life?
I have to stay home all the time. It’s been difficult for my kids, mostly. For me, not as much. But I do miss going to shopping malls. I usually go to the Beverly Center/Connection and the Grove. I feel like if everyone is responsible and keeps their masks on, we can return to normalcy.