도시락: A Korean Lunchbox | Teen Ink

도시락: A Korean Lunchbox

June 20, 2024
By khak BRONZE, Porter Ranch, California
khak BRONZE, Porter Ranch, California
2 articles 0 photos 0 comments

“What's that?” “Gross.” They taunted me.

The other students had 도시락s—vibrant mixes of banchan and main dishes encased in tin thermoses. My shabby sandwich was stored in America’s favorites: Kitchenaid and Ziplocs. 

I was different. 

Gross. 

All of my classmates were Korean, full Korean. My linguistic abilities and cultural upbringing meant nothing.

“You aren't really Korean.” 

A six-year-old with prominent double eyelids, upturned nose, and tan complexion—gross. 

Encased in my skin, various components blend like a 도시락: 50.1% South Korean, 49.9% European, and 100% foreign.


The author's comments:

This is a 100 word tidbit about my experience growing up as half Caucasian in a predominantly Asian community. While we often hear stories about minorities' experiences growing up in America and the relentless teasing that entails, we don't hear much of the flipside, which is what I have to offer. 


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