Memories of a Zainichi Korean Childhood

By Kang (2006)

 Kumamoto
 Korean people supported themselves
o Keeping pigs and making ‘moonshine’ (illicit liquor)
o Excise officers came and destroyed the moonshine brewing settlement
 His mom weeped: “Why are we forced to endure such sorrow?”

How My Parents Became ‘First-Generation Zainichi’

 His dad arrived in Japan at age 15 in response to pressures of poverty
 Blacksmith and ‘uncle’
o Figures that became a large part of childhood
o Though not blood-related, was as close as family
o Losing these adult figures was painful
 Father and ‘uncle’
o shared the unfortunate consciousness of living as ‘outsiders’ in Japan.

A Way of Living as ‘Zainichi’

 The people engraved on my memory, bound up in these complex feelings . . . When I

look back now, I see how they gave shape to my memories. It may be that my
‘homeland’ is to be found in memories like these

A Member of the Zainichi ‘Elite’, who Became a Military Policeman

 Blood uncle (father’s younger brother)

o Received Japanese university education
o Joined the military police
o Buried his past, and was able to build a successful new life in his homeland
(South Korea)
o His sacrifice: separating from family & erasing his memories
o Uncle had a pro-Japanese past

‘Uncle’ who Lived as an Exile in the Shadows

 When passed away, the father wanted ‘uncle’ to be buried under his real name

 “The two uncles who influenced me so deeply”

It felt refreshing to watch a documentary that simply told the everyday lives of real people.
Rather than making a film about the ethic Korean minority in Japan, a documentary approach
provided greater effects because it was unfiltered and captured an abundance of the raw
emotions and first-hand experiences of students’ and teachers’. The interviews invited the
audience to empathize their struggles on a deeper level and appreciate their efforts as they
overcame challenges to develop their collective Chosun identity in the Japanese society.

Since the students attend the same school for all of their elementary, middle, and high school
education, the students and teachers formed very precious and intimate relationships with
each other. Essentially, the school and teachers came to be an important part of the students’
childhood. Similarly, in Memories of a Zainichi Korean Childhood, Kang mentioned there was an
‘uncle’ and blacksmith who were significant figures in his life growing up; although they were
not blood-related, he found a sense of comfort and belonging from these adults that he
considered family. I think the fact that they are marginalized members of society strengthens a
familial-like bond within the ethnic Korean community. In the documentary, a sense of family
was notably felt when two teachers married in the cafeteria and celebrated happily with all the
staff and students.

Despite the school’s efforts in helping their students develop a sense of Chosun pride and
shielding them from marginalization, it was upsetting that the students still faced
discrimination. As they returned from North Korea, Japanese protestors crowded the dock
which led to a dramatic drop in the students’ spirits. As more young ethnic Koreans find pride in
their Chosun identity, I think the oppression they face will gradually lessen along with a
changing societal attitude from North and South Korea.

 Still faced discrimination and marginalization

o Returning on boat from North Korea: sees protestors that want to close that the
port from Japan to North Korea
o Senior boys soccer match
 Devastated that they lost against the Japanese school
 Wanted to prove their worth and demonstrate their competency as a
minority succeeding in a Japanese-dominated society
 The school helps children find pride in their roots
o Ex- previously a girl was ashamed of being Korea, she denied her ethnicity when
Japanese friends asked if she was Korean
 The school advocates for North & South Korea unification
o North Korea is the fatherland
 Demonstrates their support for ethnic Koreans in Japan; financially
supports the school
 Whereas, South Korea doesn’t really show their support and
acknowledge the ethnic Koreans
 o Interesting to learn that the North provides greater support
 The South: discriminates… one of the teacher shared that he would want
to visit South Korea, but would feel uncomfortable so, because just
visiting the South Korean embassy made him uncomfortable upon
learning he holds a Japanese citizenship and doesn’t have the intention to
give it up for Korean citizenship
 Similarly, the film Our School also depicts the intimate relationship that members of the
Chosun school have come to develop amongst each other.