Chun, J. My experience doing urbanministry.org/youth-group" class="" title="Youth Resources">youth ministry with Korean-American kids. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for urbanministry.org/youth-group" class="" title="Youth Resources">Youth Studies.

BACKGROUND

I worked as the college pastor for a year; then I began to work with urbanministry.org/youth-group" class="" title="Youth Resources">youth. The first year in youth ministry was turbulent, because I did not know much about youth culture. After a year in youth ministry, I am better understanding young people. My youth group consists of about 25 junior high and high school students. Most of the junior high school students are second generation Koreans, and most of the high school students are recent Korean immigrants. The high school students prefer speaking Korean. Since I came to the U.S. when I was fourteen, I can identify with their experiences as Korean immigrant kids.

MY JOURNEY INTO YOUTH MINISTRY

I thought that youth ministry would be easier than dealing with sharp-minded, probing college students. But I quickly realized that youth ministry is difficult; one sophomore student ran away from home, stole a car, and was found by the police. It shocked the parents and students of my church. Suddenly, I felt a deeper responsibility for young people. I also became concerned about a freshman girl who had recently arrived from Korea. Her face was often sad; as I learned more about her, I found out that she hated being in the U.S. and leaving her Koreans friends in Korea. In fact, she was contemplating suicide. I told her to write me letters about how she felt-every letter mentioned her bitterness, discouragement, low self-esteem, and suicidal thoughts. I did not know what to do. I had hoped that by writing her thoughts, she could release some of her negative emotions. But as she continued to write suicidal letters, I became alarmed. I began asking myself, "What's wrong with these kids?" Another sophomore boy had serious attitude problems. A second generation Korean, he rejected the Korean culture, especially the practices and values that his parents espoused. He was filled with anger, and he sometimes spoke profanities to his youth leader. I thought that he might be isolating himself from those in our Korean youth group, but to my surprise, he regularly spoke (in Korean) with the youth who were more comfortable with Korean customs. I had assumed that he would not want to speak Korean because the kids might laugh at him (since he had rejected Korean ways, his Korean speaking was noticeably imperfect), but he spoke it anyway. These kids intrigue me.

I have recently realized that the kids in my youth group-regardless of their language preference and years in the U.S.-all enjoy Korean pop music. I was surprised, because some of the more Americanized kids did not understand the lyrics; yet, they loved to listen to the songs and wanted to talk about, sing and dance with, and dress like the groups. With this revelation, I understood that I had to learn about their youth culture in order to effectively reach them. Just teaching them lessons was boring for them, since they had repeatedly heard the same messages for years, both in Korea and in America.

In Korea, there is a famous saying : "If you truly know your enemy and yourself, you will win the battle." As a youth leader, I want to know who or what I should be battling. Through great thought and research, I believe that pop music is an "enemy." Music is powerful. It is spiritual and greatly influences its listeners. In this study, I tried to understand the Korean pop culture so that I could understand the young minds in my youth group. To further investigate the Korean pop culture, I present several categories of Korean immigrant youth, discuss their primary issues, and offer ways to reach them.

WHO ARE THE KOREAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS?

A Korean-American is one who is Korean and lives in the U.S. There are three major categories of Korean-Americans: first, 1.5, and second generation. Generally, those who came to the U.S. after age twenty are considered as first generation; those who came to the U.S. after elementary school are classified as 1.5 generation; those who were born in the U.S. are categorized as second generation Korean-Americans. However, Bob Oh, a Los-Angeles based ordained pastor and expert on Korean-Americans, theorizes that there are additional, more specific categories. His groupings are aimed at those at or below the college level. In his definition, the first generation is comprised of those who came to the U.S. during their late high school years. They are more comfortable with the Korean language, and they strongly adhere to the Korean culture. The 1.2 generation consists of those who came to America during junior high; their language preference is Korean, but their English speaking skills are much better than the first generation. Those in the 1.2 generation appreciate both Korean and U.S. culture, but they tend to follow the Korean culture. The 1.5 generation are bilingual and bicultural; they came to U.S. during their late elementary school years. The 1.7 generation are those who came to U.S. between the ages of 6 and 10. They are more comfortable with English than Korean and they prefer the American culture. Lastly, the second generation are those who were either born in America or came to the U.S. under age 5. They do not remember the Korean culture or its language.

Most of the kids in my youth group are either 1.2 or second generation Korean-Americans. Because they have many Korean-speaking friends in their schools, they generally prefer to speak Korean. Within the Korean-American youth culture, they create sub-cultures ranging from those who are completely Americanized to those who remain completely Koreanized. The kids who are moderate tend to be social and desire both "Americanized" and "Koreanized" friends.

HOW ARE THEY BEING INFLUENCED?

Upon my arrival to the U.S.-as a high school sophomore-I experienced an identity crisis. I wondered who and what I was. I attended an Americanized Korean church. Most of the church youth spoke English well, and their style were different from mine. I wanted to fit into that group, so I tried my best to speak English well. I became somewhat ashamed of my identity. I did not want to be called an "F.O.B." (fresh off the boat). I tried to get rid of my "Koreanness." I rejected the Korean language, style, and music. I wanted to be like the more Americanized kids. However, today, I have noticed an intriguing phenomenon with Korean-American youth throughout the Los Angeles area: more Americanized Korean youth are listening to Korean pop, hip hop, and gangsta rap music.

WHY ARE THEY INTO KOREAN MUSIC?

Korean-American youth today-regardless of when they arrived in the U.S.-are proud of their Korean identity. Korea was very poor when their parents lived there. Many Korean parents claim that they came to America for their children's education, yet more and more Korean parents are now returning to Korea. The reason? Korea's education, social, and moral conditions are no longer inferior to the U.S.; it may even better there.
When I was a teenager ten years ago, many of my peers did not like anything that was Korean. Its food, language, culture, music, and their parents were all rejected. The goal for both the immigrant parents and children were to quickly assimilate into the American culture. Some of my teen peers did not want to let others notice his or her Korean identity. However, that's not the case today. Korean kids are proud of being who they are. They are thrilled to see Korean actors or actresses on T.V. When they visit Korea, they find that it is quite similar to the American culture; they suddenly realize that there are many exciting, entertaining places to visit in Korea. And the quality and beat of the music are very similar to that performed by American pop artists.
As a teenager, I could easily distinguish the difference between Korean and American music. Now, American and Korean pop music styles are similar in beat, style, and dance motions. Korean kids who live in the U.S. now find it acceptable to secure their identities in Korean music. Since it is similar to American music, it is "safer" to enjoy. They appreciate the music, and it helps bond Korean kids together. Music facilitates the bonding of the Korean-American culture.

MY RESEARCH

I have tried to learn about the Korean singers influencing U.S. Korean youth. Who are they? What is their music about? How do they attract youth in Korea and in America? I sought answers to my questions through my own students. I borrowed from them a few CDs and tapes of currently popular Korean songs; read magazines that discuss top singers, actors, and actresses; watched a Korean TV music video program; and administered a questionnaire to Korean immigrant youth surveying their favorite singers, songs, actors, and actresses.

WHAT I FOUND IN MY INVESTIGATION

In my research, three trends emerged among the popular Korean artists:

• Most have English names (i.e., H.O.T., The Cool, JuJu Club).
• Most are not soloists, but dancing groups.
• Most are very young.

There are important possible implications from these trends.

• The U.S. is influencing the Koreans in Korea. These Koreans then influence the Koreans in U.S.
• Groups offer more visual interest than does a solo artist. The more visually interesting the artist(s), the more likely they will attract attention from youth.
• Since the groups are young, young fans can identify with them. In fact, the most popular dream among Korean youth is to become a singer, actor, or actress.

CONCLUSIONS

• Korean immigrant youth culture has changed. Perhaps it is a good sign that Korean immigrant youth are appreciating their identity as "Korean." However, this phenomenon can isolate Korean youth by creating additional subcultures within the many cultures that already exist in the U.S. Korean youth workers should teach the kids that they need to define themselves beyond "Korean."
• United States is the influence factory of the world. Most of the new young Korean singing groups have been influenced by U.S. artists; the world is shaped by American culture. What is seen in the U.S. will likely be seen by most of the world. It is also true that American spirituality greatly influences the world's spirituality. Christians throughout the world are keenly interested in the American Christian culture. Interestingly, the Korean churches in Korea are more in tune with what the American churches are doing than the Korean churches in America are. When Korean churches in Korea respond to American Christian movements, then those Korean churches influence the Korean churches in America. Korean-Americans look to Koreans for their influence; Koreans are studying the U.S. for cues. This also appears to be the case for Korean-American youth workers. Korean youth leaders, also isolated, generally do not network well with other youth leaders in America.
• Korean-American youth need dedicated youth workers who understand their youth group's culture. Understanding the Korean-American culture helps workers better communicate with, accept, and love Korean youth in America.
  

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. In your working with Korean-American youth, do you find them to be part of a Korean subculture, or are they "mainstreamed" into the general teen culture? How does this help or hinder your outreach to Korean-American adolescents?
2. Can you distinguish differences between the hypothesized 1st, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, and 2nd generation Korean-American youth? How is your youth group composed? How does this affect your work with them?
3. Do you agree that Korea-and most of the world-is influenced by American culture? How do you reject or support that claim?
4. How can you specifically learn more about Korean-American youth?

IMPLICATIONS

1. The best way to understand the Korean-American youth culture is by researching their favorite music, movies, magazines, and TV shows. While the media may negatively affect these kids, the media also hold the answers to positively influencing them.
2. It is important to help Korean-American youth find the balance between appreciating and identifying with their Korean heritage and isolating themselves from the American culture in which they live.
3. Since much of popular Korean culture is currently influenced by American culture, Korean-American youth may falsely believe that the Korean popular culture they embrace is truly Korean; in reality it is equally, if not more, American. Teach Korean-American youth more about Korean history, ideals, and values so that they truly understand their heritage.

James Chun and Kathryn Q. Powers cCYS

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