Character Sketch/ Ethnography Essay

Claire Kim’s Ethnography

Oh Jeong Ok— My Grandmother

*Conversation had to be translated from Korean to English

What was your childhood like?

You can almost say that my core childhood was split in halves. I spent about 9 years (third grade) in North Korea, Pyongyang, and the rest of my life until now, let’s see..how old am I now? (counting and mumbling in Korean) 69 years years in South Korea. (pauses suddenly) It’s going to be a long talk, do you have time? My family was quite wealthy in the north. However, the Korean War forced me and my immediate family members to flee down to the South. I didn’t had the chance to see any major terror, but I remember especially the charismatic American soldiers (mi-goon) walking with heavy-looking gears.

How did you cope with the sudden change in lifestyle (North Korea vs South Korea)?

Thankfully in the southern part of Korea, Seoul, was where my aunt was at. With no given time at all, we had to live under the same roof as my aunt’s family. Also since the northern and southern Korean currency was differentiated by the time we settled, financially we had to start from the bottom. I recall my mother going to the market selling vegetables. I was with her at the market often but school interfered. At that time, there was no dramatic change in lifestyle; I was a typical child in uniform.

What was the most difficult (thing / event) you had (to do / go through) in life?

Probably leaving my grandmother in Pyongyang. She was too old and fragile to flee with us. I remember crying my eyes out and grabbing her hand in urge to be together. When we arrived in the south, I kept having nightmares of her being sick.

What is your greatest (achievement / accomplishment) in life?

With hard work, I proudly attended Yonsei University in South Korea (one of the most prestigious schools) and studied nursing. I tell you, everything is possible with dedication and hard work!

What life advice would you want to pass along to your grandchildren?

Live diligently, help others, go to church regularly (God will remember and bless you), pray often..be polite.

What is the most memorable moment you have had with me?

As the first grandchild, you were loved more than anyone else. I’m serious. I particularly remember our stroll in our apartment complex in the summertime. You were on the stroller, (yoo-mo-cha), and we stopped by purple flowers. I can’t recall what the kind of flower it was..(pause) but anyway, I asked you “aren’t the flowers pretty?” you would reply me with that high pitched “ahhh” almost like someone who extremely appreciates beauty. That was so cute of you.