Multicultural Families in Gwangju

Photos by Christian Oey and David Cowger
Video by David Cowger

“Love knows no bounds,” is a saying that has rung true for centuries. Love has overcome borders and languages before poets have even been able to write about it, and when these kinds of relationships bloom, they can become inspiring to all those who are privileged enough to be near them. Gwangju News had the opportunity to hear some unique stories from individuals who have been able to bridge two cultures seamlessly, connecting families across continents and languages. In a city like Gwangju, where people from all over the world live and work, these multicultural connections are more common than some may think.

Nhi Liu Ngoc, Lien Liu Ngoc, and Thanh Liu Ngoc are three Vietnamese sisters who live in Gwangju. All three sisters are married to Korean men, and all three share a unique closeness and perspective that comes with their collective experiences. Their journey to Korea began when they were young. They had an older cousin who had married a Korean man, and through their aunt and cousin, they began to hear about the opportunities that existed in Korea. Their relatives spoke highly of the Korean lifestyle, and Korean men, so when it was time for the two oldest sisters to think about marriage, their aunt arranged for them to meet the two Korean men who eventually became their husbands.

The early steps of any budding relationship can sometimes be hesitant, but the added barriers of different languages and cultures made for an interesting first few months for the sisters. They often communicated with their significant others in three different languages – pieces of Vietnamese, Korean, and English mixed together. Lien describes their early dates as always being accompanied by a Vietnamese to Korean dictionary. She also described a lot of gesturing and body language used in their attempts to communicate.

The youngest sister, Thanh, arrived in 2010, after her sisters introduced her to a Korean man whom she later married. As they all recalled their early days in Korea, the sisters spoke positively of the changes and adjustments made, because they knew they were in a country that held promise and opportunity for them. All three sisters praised the Korean education system, and knew that their children would have a great education if they were raised in Korea. They also spoke highly of their extended family, and felt that their Korean in-laws welcomed each of them with open arms.

Life has changed noticeably for the three sisters since they first arrived in Korea. The two oldest have been able to learn the language (with Thanh making great progress as she takes classes), cook the food, and even give back to the community that has welcomed them. Nhi now gives her time to serve coffee at the Gwangju Settler Women Support Center. The sisters are grateful for all Korea has to offer and for the all the potential the future still holds.

Another couple that has artfully combined their past experiences into a unique family is Jeff Hamilton from New Hampshire and Park Jeong-yun from Gwangju. They have a son named Hugh. The pair met in 2002 when Jeff landed a last-minute job at a hagwan where Jeong-yun worked. When it was time for Jeff to return to the U.S., Jeong-yun came along with him. They were married in Vegas in 2004 in a ceremony which focused on the celebratory and adventurous nature of their love. It was a wedding that was non-traditional by Korean or American standards (“Elvis” even walked Jeong-yun down the aisle), but it was a memorable one. 

When their son Hugh was born, Jeff and Jeong-yun carefully considered what would be best for their family. They chose to come back to Korea in the hopes of giving their child and any children they might have in the future a well-rounded identity. They wanted their son to be comfortable in both countries, and to be able to relate to both cultures. “I’ve read so much about Korean Americans who lack their identity,” says Jeff. We wanted to make sure our children felt comfortable in saying ‘yes, I am Korean’ and ‘yes, I am American.’” Jeff and Jeong-yun plan to live in Korea for a few years, and then will eventually move back to the U.S., and hope their family will see both places as home.

Jeff and Jeong-yun have naturally combined their past experiences to form their new family unit. They encourage Hugh to speak English and Korean, and they enjoy eating both American and Korean meals at home. They celebrate holidays from both cultures, and enjoy sharing those holidays with family and friends. Their experiences in Korea have been positive, and their perspective can be applied to how the world around us is changing. “How do you define culture?” Jeff asks at the start of the interview. “Culture has dissipated as we become a more global society. What is influenced by upbringing and experiences, and what is culture?” As the world shifts and merges around us, maybe it is up to each family to instill love and pass on the stories that make them unique. Because, in the end, a culture of love is the best thing that can be handed down in any family.