Korean Girl Raised in Philippines — Now She Feels More Filipino Than Korean

本站添加: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]When I was 5 years old, my family packed up everything and then we moved to the Philippines. Filipinos are really happy people, but I feel like Koreans are not that happy.

[00:00:10]No, you can see it.

[00:00:12]>> And I was a bit bullied in school because my parents moved to Bulakan and there were no foreigners there. Okay, so like last year I was in Korea for a year. I was like, "Okay, I want to go there and then try experiencing it." And then when I finally did last year, I realized Philippines is my home. We got into an accident and then I broke my wrist and then he ran away. So I was panicking because I was really scared and I didn't know what to do.

[00:00:41]>> Hi.

[00:00:42]>> Hi.

[00:00:43]>> How are you?

[00:00:43]>> I'm good. How are you?

[00:00:44]>> Nice meeting you again.

[00:00:45]>> Nice meeting you.

[00:00:46]>> Can you briefly introduce yourself?

[00:00:47]>> Okay. My name is Yun and I am 27 years old and I am from Korea.

[00:00:52]>> Korea?

[00:00:53]>> Yes.

[00:00:53]>> And for how long have you been in the Philippines? I've been in the Philippines for more than 20 years. Like I grew up here. Yeah.

[00:00:59]>> What brought you here to the Philippines?

[00:01:00]>> So, my parents initially wanted to come here to learn golf and English. So, we were only going to stay here for 2 years >> and >> and now we're here.

[00:01:10]>> So, all right guys. So, we're just crossing the road right now. What was like uh growing up in the fall beach as a Korean?

[00:01:16]>> In the Philippines as a Korean.

[00:01:18]Initially, I really had a hard time adjusting because when I first came here, I did not know anything at all.

[00:01:24]like ABC. I did not know that. So, I had a hard time adjusting. But once I started like learning the language, everything was so easy because Filipinos are so friendly.

[00:01:33]>> So, definitely you did college here.

[00:01:36]>> Yeah.

[00:01:36]>> So, are you done with college?

[00:01:38]>> Yeah, I took up dentistry in UEIE.

[00:01:40]>> UEIE.

[00:01:41]>> And how was school during that those days?

[00:01:44]>> Okay. Initially, when I first went to college, my Tagalog was not that good.

[00:01:48]>> So, I had a hard time cuz everyone was going like no on me. So I had to learn the language. Yeah.

[00:01:54]>> So now you can speak. You got it. You got it. Guys, actually she'll be teaching us some Tagalog. Yeah.

[00:02:05]>> So let me just ask you this. Yeah.

[00:02:07]>> Okay. What was like moving to the Philippines uh as a Korea? I mean I know you came here at a younger age.

[00:02:14]>> You didn't have that much to decide your parents that brought you here.

[00:02:17]>> But you get to go home. Have you ever thought of moving to Korea?

[00:02:21]Okay. So, like last year I was in Korea for a year and then now I'm back here in the Philippines because um I feel like I did want to experience that because I did not get to experience living in Korea. I was like, "Okay, I want to go there and then try experiencing it." And then when I finally did last year, I realized Philippines is my home. So, I'm back here.

[00:02:43]>> And did you have like a reverse culture shock?

[00:02:46]>> I did have like a reverse culture shock.

[00:02:49]Um, I grew up with I grew up in a Korean household, but then when I moved to Korea, I realized that my culture is really different. I mean, I'm really different from the Koreans that grew up in Korea. So, I feel like I did not really belong there, >> even if like we're the same blood. It's just that I'm more Filipino now.

[00:03:11]>> So, do you feel more Filipino than Korean?

[00:03:13]>> Yeah, I feel like I'm more Filipino than Korean now. And what is like the reaction of your parents when they see you? You have adapted >> so well to the Filipino culture.

[00:03:23]>> I feel like for them it's just normal since I grew up here. So it's just natural for me to be more Filipino here.

[00:03:29]>> Yeah. And I'm surrounded by Filipinos.

[00:03:31]So >> was it hard for you to learn Tagalog?

[00:03:34]>> Huh. I think I was always interested in learning languages, which is why once I started to really like focus on learning it, it was easy for me. And I had a lot of like friends like around me that were like helping me learn the language.

[00:03:47]Yeah. So, >> so growing up you already had an idea that you were not Filipino, that you're Korean.

[00:03:54]>> Mhm. Yeah. Of course, like cuz everyone was like always teasing me like, "Oh, you have eyes. Oh, your skin is like fair." Um, so they would tease me like Ching Chong Ch. And then once K-pop became a thing, everyone started loving Koreans. What are like the big difference between Korean and Filipino culture?

[00:04:12]>> So, I feel like the difference in culture for me is that Filipinos are really happy people, but I feel like Koreans are not that happy. So, for Koreans, we have this like palyp pali culture, which is like hurry hurry culture. Koreans really value efficiency and hard work. Um, which is why we are at a very fast pace. Our economy grew really fast. But then a lot of people are really unhappy.

[00:04:36]A lot of people compete. They're very competitive. They're always comparing each other. So, it's good for the economy and the growth, but for them like emotionally, um, mentally it's draining for them cuz imagine you're always in a competition with someone.

[00:04:52]You will never be happy. You're always comparing yourself to your neighbor, like thinking, "Oh, this person's doing this, this person is doing that. Where am I in life?"

[00:04:59]>> And what are the similarities when it comes to the two cultures?

[00:05:02]>> Yeah. So, when it comes to the two cultures, I feel like both really value family. We love our family. So during we in Korea we have a lot of val uh holidays surrounding family. So we celebrate like chusok together, scholar together and the Filipinos also like we celebrate Christmas together as a family. So I think both cultures really value family. And then um we also are both very respectful. So in Korea we use you by the end of our sentence. Like in the Philippines you use po by the end of your sentence. I feel like we really value respect. Yeah.

[00:05:36]>> And did you ever struggle with your identity growing up?

[00:05:40]>> I feel like as a third culture kid, I always struggled >> with my identity.

[00:05:47]>> And how did you overcome that?

[00:05:51]>> I feel like I just really tried to blend in and my friends around me were kind enough to accept me and their families also. They were really accepting of me so I felt really welcome. And what it was like growing up in a Korean house, >> but when you go outside is a Filipino culture. The culture is totally different.

[00:06:10]>> Yeah.

[00:06:11]>> So did you had uh maybe any struggle while growing up >> to identify which one was your culture?

[00:06:18]>> H I feel like I just absorb both.

[00:06:20]>> Mhm.

[00:06:21]>> Best of both worlds. So I feel like I was glad that I get to be exposed to like different cultures and then I feel like growing up in a different country I always had to learn how to adapt. So it really helped me like to learn like to adapt better faster. Yeah.

[00:06:38]>> And what made the Philippines home for your family?

[00:06:42]>> H >> knowing you guys were just coming here for 3 years >> and you guys have been here for more than 20 years.

[00:06:50]>> What made the Philippine home for your family? Hm.

[00:06:54]I feel like um my family, we love golf and the people here are so friendly. So, we just feel like this is nice. Yeah.

[00:07:02]This is home for us. Yeah.

[00:07:05]>> And you mentioned that you study here, right?

[00:07:09]>> Was it easier for you to study in English?

[00:07:12]>> Yeah, it was easier for me to study in English cuz I grew up speaking in English. So, even if I speak Korean, I only speak it at home, right, with my family. So my vocabulary in Korean is kind of limited. Even if I try to read like Korean books. So if I try to learn something in a different language, it's a bit of a struggle for me. Yeah.

[00:07:30]>> Um if we compare your Tagalo and your Korean, which one is much better?

[00:07:37]>> Tagalog really? Yeah.

[00:07:40]Not sure. Not sure.

[00:07:41]>> Okay. Okay. What about I mean at your house you guys speak Tagalog, you speak English, you speak Korean? What language? So with my family I I mean my parents I speak to them in Korean but then with my brother I speak to him in Tagalog or English and then with our staff at home of course I speak to them in Tagalog.

[00:07:57]>> So your brother also lived here.

[00:07:59]>> Yeah he lived here also. He grew up here also.

[00:08:02]>> Yeah.

[00:08:02]>> Okay. Okay. And let me ask you this.

[00:08:05]Yeah. Knowing that you >> Philippines is your home.

[00:08:08]>> Literally it's your second home. Right.

[00:08:10]And sometimes you get a chance >> only home.

[00:08:12]>> That's only home.

[00:08:14]>> So Philippines is the only >> only home I have. Yeah.

[00:08:17]>> Do you feel your whenever you go to Korea, do you feel like a foreigner?

[00:08:21]>> Yeah. I'm just a visitor there. Yeah.

[00:08:25]>> Yeah.

[00:08:25]>> Oh, wow.

[00:08:26]>> So, how do you identify yourself?

[00:08:28]>> Filipina or Korean?

[00:08:31]>> That's it's like >> Okay.

[00:08:35]>> Why do I mean why why do I ask that?

[00:08:39]It's like I thought you had a home >> back in Korea and in the Philippines, >> but now you like you just told us that this is your only only home.

[00:08:48]>> Yeah. Like when I was 5 years old, my family packed up everything and then we moved to the Philippines.

[00:08:55]>> Knowing that that was a decision for your parents, >> now that you have lived for 20 years plus, >> do you feel do you believe that that was the best decision? Yeah, I believe it was the best decision because I'm happy where I am right now.

[00:09:08]>> Describe happiness for us.

[00:09:10]>> Happiness.

[00:09:12]It's hard. You're you're contented.

[00:09:14]You're satisfied. It just feels right.

[00:09:17]You know when it feels right.

[00:09:18]>> If you could talk to your 5 years old self, >> what could you say? I mean, tell her.

[00:09:23]>> Mhm. So, if I were to talk to my 5-year-old self, I would tell her everything's going to work out. You're going to be fine. Because when I first arrived here, I didn't even know my ABCs. And I was a bit bullied in school because my parents moved to Bulakan and there were no foreigners there. There was no SM, nothing at all. So for them, I was like a I was like an alien and I and I don't I don't blame them for not really getting along with me because of course I was an alien for them and it was hard for them to comprehend like who I was or what I am. But yeah, everything is gonna work out.

[00:10:03]>> Yeah.

[00:10:04]>> And you talking about you being different in in in the middle of a lot of kids. Yeah.

[00:10:09]>> Where there was no foreigner. At what age you started understand that >> it's it's okay to be different in a foreign country.

[00:10:18]>> H maybe when I was like in grade five, I started to have more foreigners in my class. So I started to think like, oh, it's fine to be a foreigner because there are a lot of foreigners around me. Yeah.

[00:10:32]>> And if you think right now, right, >> do you think if you could stay in Korea, your life would be better or harder?

[00:10:39]>> H I feel like my life in Korea would be harder because the competition is just too hard there. And I don't think I'm good with pressure. I feel like I'm perfectly happy where I am right now in the Philippines. Yeah.

[00:10:54]>> Wow. Amazing. And what are you most thankful for growing up here in the Philippines?

[00:10:59]>> Okay, so I feel like growing up in the Philippines, I was exposed to different kind of cultures, not only Filipino culture, but like Chinese culture, Spanish culture, um, and a lot of different other cultures. Um, so I'm really grateful that I was able to experience that because I am who I am right now thanks to that and I am good at English compared to like the Koreans who just grew up in Korea. So I am more experienced.

[00:11:24]Yeah. Thanks to growing up here.

[00:11:25]>> Yeah. At some point, even though you said, "Okay, people they would say you're Korean, but you you have been in a situation that people confuse your thought that you're a Filipina."

[00:11:34]>> Mhm. Yeah. Because um I grew up here so it's already ingrained in my mind like the way of thinking, the way of life.

[00:11:43]>> Like I think like a Filipino now. Yeah.

[00:11:47]>> And how do they react knowing that you speak Tagalog? How do they react when they know that you're a foreigner and you can speak Tagalog?

[00:11:55]>> I feel like everyone's always shocked because like when they see my face, they they assume like I don't speak English very well. And then of course when I speak in Tagalog, they're like, "Huh, how do you even know speak how do you even speak Tag that well?" And I'm just like, I love the Philippines, you know?

[00:12:10]>> Yeah.

[00:12:11]>> And how is the Korean community here in the Philippines? like like us um from from Angola sometimes every once or twice a year >> we meet all we go like uh our independence day we have like a we have like a party here. What about how is the Korean community here?

[00:12:30]>> Oh so like my parents were part of the Korean uh wait oh Manila Korea Town Association. So I participated in a lot of their activities and I used to host like their events also. Yeah.

[00:12:45]>> And I remember you me you told me that you used to do series here.

[00:12:50]>> Um I did a I did some acting gigs before. How was it?

[00:12:53]>> Yeah.

[00:12:53]>> It was fun, but I feel like I just don't have the skill, but I I love art and I just love Yeah. acting. Yeah.

[00:13:01]>> Would you ever consider maybe to become an actress, to be living, to be doing a content?

[00:13:08]>> I mean, if given the chance, I would love to. And what type of content, what type of niche you would love to do maybe in the future?

[00:13:15]>> I like lifestyle, travel, and food.

[00:13:18]Those three are my favorite content.

[00:13:20]>> Uh, what is something about Filipinos that touch your heart?

[00:13:23]>> Yeah. Okay. So, um, when I was in college, um, I am a sleepy head, so my dad got a scooter for my driver to bring me to school instead of a car. So, we were on the way to school and I was wearing like a skirt. Um, my uniform was a skirt back then, so I had to ride sideways. And then our driver, he kind of panicked when he saw a puddle. So, we got into an accident and then I broke my wrist and then he ran away. So, I was panicking because I was really scared and I didn't know what to do. But then a lot of strangers just approached me to help me out. And then there was a street vendor who was selling bandanas. So, strangers just bought bandanas to like help me out in that situation. Like, I was so touched by their compassion and their empathy. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:14:09]>> And we know and we have seen all all around >> on how Filipinos they are kind, how Filipinos are friendly.

[00:14:18]>> Do you think um Philippines have built you in a different way if you were to live in Korea?

[00:14:26]>> I feel like uh Koreans are more individualistic. Like they care more about themselves and they're more a bit selfish in a way. But I I don't blame them. It's society that made them like that, you know, in a highly competitive environment. I feel like it's just natural for them to do that for them to survive, you know, but in the Philippines, people are more relaxed, people are more friendly. That's why it's easy for people to be friendly and compassionate. Yeah.

[00:14:50]>> And you mentioned about the accident that you have, you know, it is something that really touched your heart.

[00:14:56]>> Can we I mean, can you tell us what made you fall in love with the Philippines?

[00:15:00]>> H I feel like the people here and the nature. I love nature >> and there's just so many beautiful places in the Philippines that I want to explore. Yeah.

[00:15:10]>> If it's for imagine if I'm arriving today in the Philippines first time, >> which island would you advise me to go to?

[00:15:18]>> I feel like Sikihore is underrated.

[00:15:20]>> Okay.

[00:15:20]>> Yeah. A lot of wait.

[00:15:23]>> Sikiho is underrated. Okay.

[00:15:25]>> I feel like so many people are obsessed with like Palawan, Bahal, Barakai, and um what's that what's the other place?

[00:15:32]Chargo. But a lot of people haven't been to Sikihore and it's so beautiful there.

[00:15:37]So I feel like a lot of people should give it a chance also.

[00:15:39]>> Would you ever consider to move >> or to live on the island?

[00:15:43]>> Yeah, of course. I would love to try living there. Yeah.

[00:15:47]>> Okay. And let's say this year if probably uh one day in the future you're going to have child, right?

[00:15:54]>> Where would you want to raise them? On a Filipino culture or in a Korean culture?

[00:15:59]>> I want them to be growing up in the Philippines. I feel like in Korea, it's not a very happy place. So, I feel like my children would not really be happy growing up there. It's just me, you know, my personal opinion. I feel like if they're in the Philippines and I raise them here, I could provide a better environment for them to strive whatever they're good at. Yeah. And I want them to be happy.

[00:16:23]>> If your parents decide to move back to Korea tomorrow, >> would you go >> and why?

[00:16:29]>> I would not go because this is home for me. My parents honestly they moved to the Philippines when they were in their early 30s. So for them they grew up in Korea and Korea is their home. But for me I grew up here so this is my home. So I wouldn't go back with them.

[00:16:43]>> Okay.

[00:16:44]>> And do you get to see your cousins in Korea? Do they come here?

[00:16:50]>> Do you get to introduce or what do you tell to your Korean friends when you go to Korea about the Philippines? Oh, you know, honestly, there's a stereotype about the Philippines that it's a dangerous place and all that, but I always tell my friends, you know, people live here. It's such a beautiful place.

[00:17:07]You should always just come to visit.

[00:17:09]You know, people are so friendly here. I I do go back to back and forth to Korea and then I visit my family there and I visit my friends there and then they also do come visit here. Yeah.

[00:17:18]>> When we talk about Filipino and Korean cuisine, >> which cuisine you like the most?

[00:17:24]>> That's hard because I'm a foodie. Yeah, I love food so much. So, you can't tell me. You can ask me to decide on one scene. Yeah, I love everything.

[00:17:33]>> What do you love about Filipino cuisine and what do you love about Korean cuisine?

[00:17:37]>> A >> what I love about the cuisine?

[00:17:43]>> I feel like Korean food is more like healthy.

[00:17:46]>> Like we really care about our health, wellbeing. So, we cook our food to be really healthy. And the food in the Philippines just tastes good.

[00:17:54]>> It is also healthy. Yeah. And it's also really good. Yeah.

[00:17:57]>> Okay. And if imagine right um >> we both uh study here, we both um >> graduated here and we have our life literally >> in the Philippines, right? In the Philippines.

[00:18:11]>> If one day we get a chance to bring someone to live >> the same uh to go through the same proc I mean the process we went through.

[00:18:20]Yeah.

[00:18:21]>> What advice would you give to this person? Hm.

[00:18:26]What advice? Um, >> imagine you coming to the Philippines for the first time to study.

[00:18:31]>> From your own experience as a foreigner, what advice would you give to somebody?

[00:18:36]>> I feel like um just be respectful and friendly to everyone. Yeah. And everyone will be friendly to you also. Yeah. So, you're going to love it.

[00:18:44]>> Okay. And lastly, >> what would be your message to the world?

[00:18:48]>> To the world. Come to the Philippines.

[00:18:50]It's a beautiful place.

[00:18:52]>> Okay. And lastly, this is like last one last last question. What would be your message to the Filipinos, >> the people that have embraced you since the day you arrive here, >> your family, literally, >> what will be your message to them?

[00:19:06]>> I love you guys. Thank you so much for accepting us and welcoming us here. I really am grateful.

[00:19:12]>> Okay. Do you mind if you drop I mean if you leave a message in Tagalog? Um, okay. Thank you so much.

[00:19:25]>> Hey guys, please uh check all her info on the description below. I was telling her that she should be doing content and >> let's uh support her. Let's push her share to do a content. So, please go subscribe to the channel, check your Instagram as well. Thank you so much for sharing your I mean your time with us and for sharing your story. So, thank you and see you guys.

[00:19:46]>> Thank you.

[00:19:47]>> We go, guys.