Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?

Ernest Gaines

Dear Korea,

Most days I still find myself in disbelief that I live in Korea now. I’d have to say my first experience really learning Korean culture was when I lived in LA. I began visiting California shortly after college and pretty soon it became my dream to move there. So in 2012 I packed everything I owned in my car and drove all the way from my home of Nashville, Tennessee to Los Angeles with my dad. I was so scared. I was alone and didn’t really know anyone. And broke, God was I broke. But I didn’t let any of that stop me because I knew deep down that LA was going to be a part of my journey.

While living in LA, I came to know an area of the city called Koreatown. The first time I ever visited was to meet a friend for breakfast to have 육개장 (yukgaejang), that delicious spicy hearty soup with shredded beef that I’m sure you know well. It was the first time I had soup for breakfast which I learned was common in Korea because you traditionally eat the same foods often eaten at other times of the day, such as lunch and dinner, for breakfast. I loved it. I’ve always thought the best way to experience any culture is through the food. Another time I went to dinner with a friend to eat Korean barbeque 삼겹살구이 (samgyeopsal) grilled pork belly and drink soju. Man, do Koreans love to drink. I do too. This place had K-Pop playing on their TVs and there were so many people who looked like me all in one place. It was all very foreign and new and I became quite curious about you.

Another time I was looking for a hairstylist in Koreatown and ended up making an appointment at a place called Etude Lounge. When I showed up there had been a mistake of double booking me with the master stylist. He saw me anyway even though I was a new client. He didn’t speak much English, but I learned he was from Seoul. This was the first time I ever had a stylist who knew how to cut asian hair. Yes, it makes a huge difference. He was actually from Seoul. And my hair never looked better. When I left, he told me to visit the Korean market below the salon which became a place I visited quite often. LA will always have a special place in my heart because it was the first step in getting closer to you and understanding what it meant to be Korean.

Yesterday I got a haircut which got me to thinking about my old hairstylist and all the years growing up wishing my hair was any color except black. It wasn’t until I got older that I started embracing my natural hair color more. Now I’m in Korea finally getting to experience what it’s like to have people actually know and understand my hair. Living in a country that is literally made for me. For Koreans. Everything from haircuts to clothes and even sunglasses. It all just fits. Like nothing ever has before.