#170, Hyunmin
Hyunmin Han is referred to by some as "mongrel." He may not look like a native, but Korean blood runs through his veins. He was born to a Nigerian father and a Korean mother in 2001 making him mixed-race (hence "mongrel"). Life wasn't easy for Han growing up. He was frequently the target of bullying at school and called derogatory names such as 튀기. Han noted about his experiences growing up,
"When I was playing with other kids at school, some mothers whisked them away from me, saying things like, 'Don't play with a kid like that',"
Han made headlines recently as the first black model in South Korea. He was discovered on Instagram and has since become the first black model to walk on the Korean catwalks.
Though Korea is no longer the hermit kingdom it once was, it remains a largely homogeneous country. Approximately 96% of the population is ethnic Korean; the rest is mostly comprised of Chinese, American, and South East Asian immigrants. South Korea has developed at an incredible rate the past half-century, rising from post-war poverty to become an economic powerhouse. Still, discriminatory sentiments exist towards those from less-developed countries.
To complete this Journal response, address the following:
Respond to one or more of the following. (a) If you have lived abroad, describe your experience being an immigrant. (b) What experience do you have with racism?
Comment on a peer's response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher