Kim is an independent producer and founder of the Pacific Arts Movement and a former TV news anchor and reporter and is a member of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Community Advisory Board. She lives in Sorrento Valley
This week, the nation marks Korean American Day, which commemorates the arrival of the first known Korean immigrants to the U.S. on Jan. 13, 1903. More than a century later, Congress unanimously passed a resolution in 2005 marking this day to commemorate the contributions of Korean Americans to every aspect of society.
Even though California has the largest Korean American population in the U.S. at more than 540, 000 with more than 20, 000 in San Diego, this special day might come and go with little fanfare.
Hope Presbyterian Church
As a proud immigrant from South Korea, I must say that it’s never been cooler to be Korean. K-pop groups like BTS, Blackpink and TWICE are huge, Korean dramas are making history, Squid Game” was the most watched show of all time on Netflix, K-Beauty is a billion-dollar industry, and films like “Minari” and “Parasite” are winning Oscars. Not to mention, there’s the popularity of our food (evidenced by bulgogi or kimchi flavored American snacks). Koreans are unquestionably making an impact on American culture.
Additionally, during the last presidential election, a record number of Korean Americans ran for Congress, with four of them winning seats in the House. Three of them are women.
Just a few months ago, San Diego’s House of Korea at Balboa Park hosted “Korean Day” to celebrate the completion of its cottage. My mind was completely blown to see thousands of non-Koreans who came specifically to watch a small K-pop group.
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Instead of allowing this year’s Korean American Day to quietly pass by, I gathered a group of San Diego ajummas (Korean for “middle-aged women”) to make some noise. And what better way to do that than with … a flash mob!
For the last four years (except in 2021 because of the pandemic), our visor-clad amateur dance crew known as Ajumma EXP has been performing in honor of Korean American Day to shine a light on the Korean community through the ajumma experience.
While there are more conventional ways to celebrate Korean culture, I am most interested in expanding the way people view Korean Americans, especially Korean American women. We are creative, funny and fierce, and some of us actually love to bring joy to unsuspecting strangers in random places.
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