Member-only story
Not then, not now.
Aug 19, 2022
Korean BBQ. BTS. “Parasite.”
In 2022, Korean culture is cool.
Not in 1995.
I was eight.
“What are you?”
The neighborhood kids asked.
Laughing and yanking back their eyelids.
In 2020, the fox eye trend made it cool.
Not in 2003.
I was sixteen.
“What is that smell?”
Noses scrunched up at the scent of my mother’s kimchi.
In 2018, white chefs made kimchi cool.
Not even in 2014.
I was twenty-seven.
“But where are you FROM?”
People refuse to believe I’m an American.
In 2019, my friends tell me it’s not a big deal — just be cool.
Korean culture isn’t my culture.
I don’t benefit from the glory,
Instead I still carry the emotional hardship;
Fucking Parasite,
Go back to where you came from.
