As I mentioned last week, my parents are a first generation Koreans and came in France in 1975. With a group of fellow immigrants, they started to gather in each other's houses to sudy the Bible and pray and, since my father was a TaeKwonDo professor, held Sunday services at the gym. There are now about 12 Korean churches in Paris.
I have very fond memories of going to church. But growing up in the Korean community was not always easy. Yes, all mothers could not help talking about grades and expensive private schools. And it was especially hard to balance what was completely accepted in France but would have been highly controversed in Korea. Having a boyfriend at 14 for example, or wearing makeup at 16. But I have also learned a lot about the Korean culture at church and I believe it has helped me define and accept my true identity.
Our family goes to a Korean church every Sunday. Young mothers still gather to compare their babies' weight and milestones and I still feel slightly uncomfortable at times. But it also gives me a deep sense of connection with who I am. And I hope that interacting with other Korean kids, learning Korean songs and immersing in the Korean culture every week will help Sean and Will not only understand where their parents come from but also fully appreciate and embrace who they are.
—Irène
