Rice Cakes and Churches: A Look Into Korean-American Culture and Community Dynamics in Baltimore

Did you know that at a certain point in time, Koreans were the second-largest population of people of color in Baltimore? However, known as ‘the silent community,’ their history seems almost forgotten. This project shines a light on the stories of the Korean-American community: the struggles they have been through, the culture they embody, and the individual stories that all contribute to Baltimore as a whole. As a second-generation Korean-American, I have always been interested in the role Koreans play in contributing to the overall cultural dynamics and race relations of their communities.

These stories will be shared through recorded conversation in an interview form. My grandmother and aunts have always been charismatic storytellers. Listening to their stories of what they went through as Korean immigrants has shaped who I am; I will translate this impressionable experience into my project through interviews!

There are three aspects of the Korean community that I will address: small businesses, senior citizens, and race relations of Koreans with other communities. A majority of first-generation Korean immigrants opened up small businesses when coming to the US. For example, Seoul Rice Cake owner, Jae Won Kim, owns a shop that sells traditional Korean rice cakes, called dduk. More than his local stardom, Kim’s story of immigrating from Korea 38 years ago and opening up a small business resonates with many first-generation Korean immigrants. Older church members at Lovely Lane church and members of the Historic Korean Senior Day center bring insight into the changes they have seen since first immigrating to Baltimore. Moreover, stories about aspects of their culture that they had to change or preserve provide important insight into the cultural history of the community. I will also interview those involved in MICA’s project, Bmore Seoul to Soul, which used music and dance performance to bridge the gap between Korean and African American communities. Since many small businesses are owned by Korean Americans and are impacted by the uprisings caused by generational inequity amongst African American communities, there is tension between the two ethnic groups. However, interviewing artists who are learning about and trying to heal these inter-communal relationships will show an important aspect of the Korean community’s exchange with Baltimore as a whole. (370 words)

Sources:

Seoul Rice Cake - Short documentary on the Seoul Rice Cake business

Lovely Lane church - Article discussing the preservation of Korean culture 

Historic Korean Senior Day - History of the Greater Baltimore Asian Community

Bmore Seoul to Soul - Video footage of MICA Project Bmore Seoul to Soul

Artists - Collection of MICA artists who shed light on the Korean American community in Baltimore through art