I sat by my computer listening to my favorite K-pop band U-Kiss. I’ve been a Korean pop fan pretty much since my birth and I discovered U-kiss the day before they debuted in 2008 ever since then I’ve had a huge crush on Shin Dongho. Soohyun and I have something in common. Both of our fathers died when we were young and we both didn’t have enough money for food. I was finally able to get a job at dairy queen at 16 so I was finally able to put food on the table. Soon my mom got a job at a Chinese restaurant because she learned Mandarin and insisted that I learn it just in case I go there for a concert when I become a k-pop idol like my mom wanted me to. Sure my mom will learn Mandarin but she’ll refuse to learn English. She speaks both Korean and Mandarin to me.

I have to wonder after almost 20 years of living in New Jersey why she doesn’t learn English. That’s the language spoken here!

“Mom!” I shouted to her.

“What?” She shouted back. (A:N: I would write in Korean but I don't really know it that well.)

“I’m going to take a walk around the block. I might go Wawa do you want anything?”

“Kimchi!” She replied.

“They don’t sell Kimchi at Wawa mom!” I told her.

“Oh well then.” She sighed. “Nothing then. Have a good walk AND SPEAK KOREAN TO STRANGERS!”

“Why?” I asked

“Because I said so! It’s how you deep yourself from bullies and bad people!” She informed.

“There are bad people who know Korean mom!” I stated.

“Just do it Jung!” She yelled.

“Okay okay Araso!” I said back walking out side to find one of my friends to hang out with. I went outside in my orange and white outfit. It was a beautiful spring day I plugged my ear phones in and played U-kiss’s new song “Alone” I love this song so much even though I don’t know Japanese. I love Dongho and Eli’s rap the most. I giggled at their adorable Japanese rapping.  I wish I knew Japanese it would be my fifth language. I knew Korean, English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

“Annyeonghaseyo Emiko.” My male friend said. “I said hello right did I?”

“Yes you did Jose.” I giggled.

“You look lovely today.” He complimented.

“Gamawo oppa.” I replied. He started Gangnam Styling but failed. “My mom was born in Gangnam.”

“Lucky. That city sounds fun.” Jose complained.

“If you expect everyone to Gangnam style everyday then it’s not. Koreans hate Gangnam style now.” I told him

“Well that . I’m happy I at least knew your country’s pop before Gangnam style.” He smiled.

“True I showed you TVXQ back in 2010 and you wished you’d known the group longer.” I reminded him.

“True. They’re still my favorite boy group and I love Girls’ Generation.” He stated.

“Lots of Koreans hate SNSD.” I told him. “Don’t ask why I really don’t know why but I’m not a big fan of them.”

“Meh.” Jose sighed. “I recently found out I’m part Thai. Now I’m Filipino, Thai and Portuguese. Great now my mom’s probably going to make me learn Thai!”

“Candy mafia is a good Thai band also 2pm’s Nichkhun is Thai-American.”

Jose and I talked mostly about Asian culture and languages we knew. He knew Flippino Portuguese and English. Maybe Thai soon if he bothers to learn. I know if I was Thai my mom would force me to study the language and culture but I’m not Thai. I’m Korean-American. Thanks to Gangnam style lots of people want to be Korean but that doesn’t bug me one bit. As long as they don’t think of Korea as perfect, racism free, violence free, K-pop everywhere country. Because it’s not it’s the same as every other country like the US. Also they must study our history and culture I would honestly hate to hear someone say: K-pop makes me love Korea! Or say they know Korean when all they know is a few sentences in Korean.