Exploring the AZNLover site has made me regret a few things in my life.

I have never taken the time to really learn my own cultural history or language. I feel bad listening to others that know more about my own culture than I do.

Then there is language. Growing up it was important to learn English. Although my folks tried getting me into informal language classes, I regret not putting a greater effort into learning.

I've always felt that my lack has set me as an outsider when visiting Korean markets or restaurants.

Fortunately, these are things I can change. We'll have to see.

Better late than never my friend!

"give him one gun he's superman, give him two guns he's god"

never too late to learn! and luckily the Korean alphabet is very easy to learn.

first of all, i think it's great that you are realizing this issue, instead of avoiding it for the rest of your life. i'm sure the majority of the people in your situation wouldn't have the guts to publicly address the problem, so again, you should feel good about yourself that you are looking to do something about it, i applaud you for it.

i grew up having to go to chinese school every friday night from middle school to high school, while all the other kids go out and have fun after school. but it wasn't until later when i realize how important those hours i put in meant to me as a chinese-american and to my family - that i continue on the traditions and learn the history that comes along with it. I think you have nothing to worry about, sounds like you have the ambition and definitely the right attitude to get yourself more immersed in the korean culture.

Try to stay motivated and possibly find someone else in the same shoes, it'll probably make the learning experience more fun and puts less pressure on yourself. If you have the opportunity, I know a lot of people in your situation find visiting their family's country of origin as a starting point. if you ever get a chance to visit korea, it will certainly keep you motivated and might even spark more interest. So stay positive, we support you 100%.

Hey, I think it's great that this is important to you. And like others have said, it's never too late to learn. This is a great place to help you get started, there are tons of people here who will be willing to help you.


Good luck

What if Prince Charming had never shown up? Would Snow White have slept in that glass coffin forever? Or would she have eventually woken up, spit out the apple, gotten a job, a health-care package and a baby from her local neighborhood sperm bank?

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My Cross Country Move to San Francisco and the Aftermath

Hey SCUBA, I hear you loud and clear. I was lucky enough that my parents only spoke Japanese to me, since they could not speak English well, and was thus able to maintain fluency in Japanese. I read books, watched Japanese program, Manga, and then when the internet came on, I was all over the Japanese internet sites.

I think the best place to learn current cultural changes, and also to learn the language, is to go to the chatroom and bulletin boards, such as Yahoo.co.jp, and just start talking to people. I know Koreans are uber-internet users, so they must have literally millions of websites that may help you, I bet they will have a site up for connecting Korean-americans to people in Korea.

Good luck, and more importantly, have fun! on your rediscovery of your korean culture and heritage!!

First of all, I'd like to congratulate. You know, in France, where I live, for most of the second generation of Asian living in France, they just don't know how to speak their own language and are not aware at all of their cultures. But you, you realized it and as the others said, better late than never.

In my case, my parents don't speak French, so they've been talking to me in Cantonese and Teochew since ever and they pushed me to take Mandarin classes from elementary school to high school every Sunday morning. I was so pissed at that time but today I know how important it's for me to be able to speak, read and write Chinese. I kept taking Chinese classes in Business School as a 3rd foreign language (1st foreign language was English and 2nd Spanish). About the culture, I had the opportunity to study in China as an exchange student and to do my final internship of 6 months in Beijing. I think I learnt a lot about my ancestors country but still not enough lol. I think that if I'd ever have kids, I will make take Chinese classes too. Anyway, you sill have the opportunity learn more about your culture and language since you're still alive! And you'll see but you will also learn more about yourself, who you are. You have my support too.

It's never really too late to learn , people go to school to learn languages all the time It also helps when you hear people talking or singing in that language (in your case korean).