aisha ✪

Yunjin reflected on her adjusting to Korean culture after first moving to Korea when she responded with “okay” to her dance teacher, which isn’t the correct way to acknowledge that you understand to your elders: “So, like in Korea, responding and acknowledging that you understood what the other person said is very important and it shows respect, but when I first moved here, I was not as aware of that. I remember our dance teacher at the time had said something, and I responded “Okay.” She goes, “What did you say to me?” and I was like, “What? What do you mean?” She’s like, “You do not say okay to your teacher. Am I American?” and I was like, “Oh my god, I am so sorry.” From then on it was just like, okay was super, super casual and not formal at all whatsoever. I learned that the hard way, never use “okay” to your elders.”