My Journey Of My Life

My parents had always planned to have a baby girl in the family, but instead, God received them with their first two boys. Although it was not what they desired having, healthy babies were always something they were grateful for, but they never gave up on wanting a girl to be part of their lives. When I arrived in this world, my parents had acquired me with all girly objects. The thing was that being surrounded by all boys made me have the same interest such as playing video games instead of with Barbie dolls. Furthermore, as I got older I started to separate from my brothers because they had to work and I had to be strongly dedicated to my academics as well as helping my mother with chores. Going to school and coming home to hear the same question every day of what is my career pathway that I am pursuing is overwhelming. The only thing I was certain of in my life is that I had a devotion to increasing my knowledge. Once I arrived in high school I became closer to answering the question, since I was surrounded with more options. Not to mention, having found the passion of science due to the classes I have been taking, but it was not until when my aunt died when I knew my true purpose in life.

To the point of unhealthy obsession, not unlike a cult. If Kim Il-sung had asked for her life, she would have given it gladly. At the other end of the spectrum, Jun-sang “lived with a fear that was so internalized that he wasn’t able to articulate it, but it was ever-present” (35). His parents has insured that he knew to keep his mouth shut about personal beliefs. When Kim Il-sung died-“he had been contemplating his own reaction, or lack thereof, with an intellectual detachment, but suddenly he was gripped with fear. He was alone, completely alone in his indifference- The revelation was followed quickly by another, equally momentous: his entire future depended on his ability to cry. Not just his career and his membership in the Workers’ Party, his very survival was at stake” (pg. 98). Junsang like many North Koreans had to accept his position in life without question lest he risk massive consequences for himself and his family. Jun-sang could not have been the only North Korean to have been indifferent to the death of Kim Il-sung, but any likeminded individuals would never be able to publically show anything but desperate

In this work, Kang’s family is living in North Korea when he and his family are sent to Yodok prison camp for the supposed crimes of his grandfather. It is important to note that Kang was only nine years of age at the time. He, his young sister, his grandmother, his father, and his uncle were sent to Yodok where they were placed in a cold hut and immediately forced to learn how to survive without the amenities they were accustomed to in

Family traditions are passed on from generation to generation, however they are not always static rules. Tradition is like a living organism that adapts to change over time. In order to understand modern North Korea’s family customs, it is important to consider the tradition of the past. Before North Korea’s liberation from Japan in 1945, North Korean families operated differently than they do today. Their ideology was founded on Confucius’s principles of family, including “only a country where family life was harmonious could be peaceful and prosperous” (Asia Society). The family is an integral part of society the same way a cell is important to a body (Suzy, 264). The government is even considered “one family” that everyone is a part of (Monday). Every individual in a family has a role and every family has a role in society. The ideal family is modeled from Kim Il Sung’s nuclear family (Suzy, 268). It is clear that family is a fundamental priority in North Korean society.

“The more you deny it, the more I think that something is going on~” Cam sing sung, teasing him. It was so very very crude, but his sudden loss in composure was entertaining.

Not much is given about his early life and family structure, except that he had three brothers. Since he could not afford to attend a university in Korea, Kwon applied to work on Hawaii’s sugar plantations. In 1905, the year that the Korean labor supply to Hawaii was cut off, he successfully immigrated as a seventeen-year-old sugar plantation laborer with the hopes of fleeing poverty (Pai 4, Takai 238). Approaching his mid 20’s as a young bachelor, he was working as a yardboy for a Mr. Hackfeld when his picture bride sailed across the ocean. Afterwards with the help of a friend, Kwon took up a more respectable job as an apprentice upholsterer at the Coyne Furniture Company. As years passed and he became noted as one of the most prestigious upholsterers in Hawaii, the company he was working for shut down, causing him to lose his job in 1928. Young Soon Han states, “The most viable businesses would be the same ones they [Koreans] did before, because…they have only this experience” (249). Just like the solution to the Korean liquor storeowners who lost their businesses in the L.A. riots, Kwon’s solution was to get back into the same business. The only difference was that this time he was an entrepreneur.

The announcement of Kim-Il Sung’s death in 1994 put the whole country at grief. Everyone in the country gathered by the statues of Kim-Il Sung to pay their respects. It was this ceremony at which many citizens realized the faults of the leader and soon after began noticing the issues of the regime and leadership. As an act of rebellion, people would watch forbidden Korean shows and read Western novels. Soon, many experiences a shift in how they viewed the outside world and North Korea. However many believers grieved the death of Kim-Il Sung as much as the death of their relatives. Most North Koreans couldn’t believe that the invincible, God like leader has died. More extreme nationalists willingly starved to death becuase living without the leader was unthinkable.

To adapt to Sung’s busy schedule, I conducted the interview over the span of two sessions: each 30 minutes. This approach allowed me to I was able to ask him questions regarding the socialisation influences during his development. In the first interview, an important male figure in Sung’s life was his grandfather when Sung was still living in the suburbs of Seoul. When Sung was young, he would go to his grandfather’s real estate office to leave work together. After work was Sung’s favorite time as a child because his grandfather would treat him with toys and snacks that he would not be allowed to regularly have at his home. He talked about how he was the favorite “grandson” because he was the first born boy in the family. Lazur & Major references how First born males are most valued that “received preferential treatment as well as more familial responsibilities” including

" See that nurse over there, it’s taemin, I caught him flirting with Siwon. He will text Siwon everyday and tell him to take care and don’t forget to eat. , sends little hearts, wants to move his duty on the same day with Siwon.. but Siwon is oblivious.. "

Betty approached me again. “You seem to have the hang of this. Have you done it before?”

During our conversation, I was able to learn so many things about my grandmother that I would never have found out if it were not for the assignment. My grandmother’s name is Jung-Sun Ma, and she is 77 years old and she was born and raised in wealth family lived in state call Jun-Joo which is located in southwest of South Korea. After graduating from high school, she met my grandfather and married him at age of 18. She gave birth to two sons and one daughter and never worked outside but stayed as housewife.

Visiting Korea, however, can also be baffling at times, mainly because I’ve long forgotten some of the cultural nuances. Years ago, for instance, while saying “hello,” I made a gesture of a slight bow to an older family friend. The problem was that I forgot to take my hat off (this is acceptable among peers but not when bowing to elders). Thankfully, no one gave me an icy stare. On another occasion, my uncle tried to hold my hand in public. In that instant, I became nauseated. Before he tried to grab my hand I quickly escaped into a convenience store while mumbling something about how thirsty I

My college applications were complete and I was on top of the world. My father couldn’t be more proud of my accomplishment. His face beamed with excitement as he enthusiastically told all of his friends, colleagues, and family that I was about to transfer to a university. The rejoicing didn’t last long, and came to an abrupt halt when I witnessed my father having a seizure and collapsing. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor that week and passed away the following summer, causing my life to take a drastic turn. Since my father was the only person I relied on, his passing had a major impact on my life. Yet, the hardships subsequent to his passing played a powerful role in the person I have become and fuel my pursuit of becoming an attorney.

This life so far has brought me through many journeys. The experiences I have had taught me so much, I can’t even fully explain. I am thankful for all the lessons I have learned through these experiences. God is my everything and is the only reason for my life. He has showed me the meaning of many things and is directing me to the right path.

“Go 100 percent into anything you do.” I’ve quoted this line many times over the course of my writings in school. This is my life’s quote. I came up with it. This is what empowers me to keep going during the many finals, long projects, and papers I’ve had to struggle through. My childhood has been anything but a cup of smooth vanilla ice cream with sprinkles on top. The stress and struggles I have gone through a lot and could have not done any of it without the help of my best friend, Jesus. I am not some regular kid who follows what the people around me are doing. I am still growing as a man, but childhood is over and I am ready to fly. My life has a pass, present, and future.