Gyopo Discrimination?

Since I decided to pursue a teaching post in South Korea, I've been doing a little research into the different types of jobs and happened to come across the word 'gyopo' or 'kyopo' in some of the job posts.  After doing a quick search on Google, I found out that I was also a gyopo.  As someone who spent the past 20 some years in the states, I admit I am ignorant in the ways of the Koreans.  Part of this ignorance is my fault, but another part is just the cultural environment of my childhood and beyond.

The reason why I want to stress this part is because there are alarming number of blogs that talk about the discrimination a 'gyopo' faces in Korea.  This was a shocking discovery because it never occurred to me that people would discriminate against someone like me for not being Korean enough.  Now I hope that these blogs are representation of some gyopos who are trying to vent some frustration and it doesn't necessarily reflect the general public opinion of the Koreans.  But I also recognize the genuine feelings of these individuals and that their feelings have to come from somewhere.  So it does raises a question...why does it matter to be a gyopo?  Yes, I've seen the posts.  Something about either being a traitor or lack of understanding by the Koreans.  But I still don't understand.

I remember growing up in South Korea in the 80s and there were more than a few comments made about me not being Korean.  I was very young and didn't really understand much of what that meant.  Yes, I went to a school for American children, but I also had Korean friends in my neighborhood.  I didn't remember my birthplace (Louisiana), since I was two when we moved to Korea.  My entire family on my mother side was Korean, so why wasn't I Korean?  When I moved back to the states, it wasn't any better.  I moved to a suburb of Minnesota, where I was the only Asia kid in my grade.  I was singled out because of distinct Asian features and Korean trained social behaviors.  Since I was cut off from the world I knew, I learned to adapt very quickly to my new surroundings just to feel normal.

My story is not particularly different from many other gyopos out there.  I am also trying to reconnect to my ancestral past as so many other Korean Americans.  But I have to admit I hesitated (just for a moment) when I read these blogs.  What I learned is that I can either take this as an opportunity despite some negative impact or stay home.  Well, I'm not the type to shy away from an adventure because of some negative side effects.  But I would like to invite any others out there who may have some positive stories (I know there has to be some).