The Journey of Korean Immigrants in Cinema

Minari2020

A Century of Immigration: Betting on the American Dream

In 2021, Youn Yuh-jung made history as the first South Korean actress to win an Oscar for her role as the grandmother in "Minari (2020)." Steven Yeun, playing the first-generation immigrant, became the first Korean-American actor nominated for Best Actor. "Minari" tells the story of a blue-collar Korean family immigrating to the United States in the 1990s, a narrative deeply rooted in over a century of Korean immigration history.

In the 19th century, Hawaii became a major sugar exporter, and to fill the labor gap left by striking Japanese workers, 101 Koreans were brought over in 1903, marking the beginning of Korean immigration to America. These pioneers left Incheon Port, crossing the Pacific Ocean to the New World. The U.S. became an opportunity for many Koreans, with men coming to work in labor-intensive jobs for better wages. However, the surge in immigration led to policies like the 1917 Immigration Act and the 1924 National Origins Act, which limited Asian immigration.

Despite these restrictions, the Korean population in the U.S. surged again during the Korean War, thanks to the War Brides Act, which allowed U.S. soldiers to bring their Korean spouses back to America. Changes in immigration policies, especially the 1965 Hart-Celler Immigration Act, abolished racial quotas, leading to a significant increase in Korean immigrants. By 1970, the Korean-American population was nearly 70,000, growing to 350,000 in 1980 and almost 800,000 by 1990. These immigrants sought better lives, taking up agriculture and factory jobs, leaving their language and culture behind to settle in a vastly different land.

The gamble on immigration was like drawing a pair in a poker game: it opened the door to potential success, but achieving the American dream required a stroke of luck.

The Immigrant's Struggle

First-generation immigrants face language barriers, cultural differences, and the shattered American dream, coupled with an unrelenting sense of homesickness. This is depicted in films like "Minari" with Jacob and Monica, "Riceboy Sleeps" (2022) with So-Young and her son Dong-Hyun, and "Past Lives" (2023) with Na Young's family seeking a fresh start.

In "Minari," a family moves from Korea to California and finally to rural Arkansas to pursue the American dream. Jacob, the father, buys a mobile home, hoping to cultivate Korean crops for fellow Korean-American immigrants. Their life in Arkansas is fraught with challenges. Jacob struggles to balance family responsibilities with his farming ambitions. At the same time, Monica works in a chicken factory to supplement their income. The family dynamics are further complicated by the arrival of Monica's mother, Soon-ja, who comes to care for their children, Anne and David.

David initially struggles to accept his grandmother, whose Korean ways alienate him. This cultural and generational gap reflects the broader challenges faced by immigrant families. Second-generation immigrants, like David, often experience identity crises, torn between their heritage and the new culture they must adapt to.

Films like "Riceboy Sleeps" highlight these struggles. Dong-Hyun, the only Asian face in his class, grapples with his Korean identity while trying to fit in. He rejects his mother's traditional Korean lunches in favor of more Western meals, a symbolic gesture of his struggle to assimilate. These children, caught between two worlds, often become isolated, losing their connection to their heritage and sense of belonging.

Distance and Disconnection: The Loss of Ethnic Identity

In "Riceboy Sleeps," Dong-Hyun grows disconnected from his Korean roots. His mother, So-Young, takes him back to Korea after her cancer diagnosis, reconnecting him with his extended family and heritage. This journey highlights the importance of understanding one's history and identity, often rooted in family traditions and rituals.

Similarly, "Past Lives" explores the complexities of immigrant identity through the story of Na Young (now Nora) and Hae Sung. After years apart, they reconnect, but their lives have diverged significantly. Nora, now a successful writer in New York, has embraced her new identity, while Hae Sung remains tied to their shared past in Korea. Their reunion underscores the emotional distance their different life paths and cultural contexts create.

Nora's struggle is symbolic of many immigrants who must confront the loss of their original cultural identity while integrating into their new environment. Like many others, her journey involves reconciling her past with her present and finding a balance between her Korean roots and her American life.

Reconnecting with the Past

Returning to one's roots often involves confronting long-buried emotions and memories. In "Riceboy Sleeps," Dong-Hyun's return to Korea allows him to understand his family's history and place. This journey is mirrored in "Minari," where the family's efforts to grow Korean vegetables symbolize their struggle to maintain their cultural identity while adapting to their new life.

Food and language play crucial roles in these films. Traditional Korean dishes prepared by mothers and grandmothers represent a tangible connection to the past. Making and sharing these foods becomes a means of preserving cultural heritage and fostering a sense of belonging.

Youn Yuh-jung's Oscar acceptance speech captures the essence of this immigrant experience. Her presence on the stage, representing a long journey from Korea to Hollywood, symbolizes blending cultures and the recognition of diverse voices. Her speech underscores the importance of remembering where one comes from while embracing new opportunities and challenges.

Ultimately, these films remind us that the immigrant experience is a complex journey of adaptation, identity, and self-discovery. Through the lens of Korean-American stories, we gain insight into the universal themes of family, resilience, and the search for a place to call home.