.jpg/dims/resize/740/optimize) |
| Jin Zheng Shu, left, and Jin Song Gen |
By Hwang Jae-ho
The night in Dongdaemun station is no different from any other region in Seoul. The neon signs around the station are blazing, but the only difference is that the signs are in Chinese.
Most of these signs are for restaurants, especially Huo Guo, which means shabu-shabu. I've enjoyed visiting Huo Guo for quite a long time and have known the owners for almost 10 years. They are husband Jin Song Gen and wife Jin Zheng Shu. I always shared greetings with them and ordered a full table of food, but never had an opportunity to hear of their personal life; how they came to Korea, why they settled in Dongdaemun, or how they lived with their two children.
Ethnic Koreans living in China (Josunjok) settled in the three northeast provinces of China to escape the Japanese colony's military pressure in the late 19th century. They continued their lives after 1945, the year of Korea's independence, and started returning to their motherland when the ROK and China established diplomatic relations in 1992.
However, due to being away from Korea for a long time, the frustration they felt in Korea in gaps of culture, generation and wealth was beyond what we could imagine. During the challenges they went through in this country, many may have buckled to the invisible discriminations, but there also were quite a few success stories.
Here, I interview this Josunjok couple who accomplished their dream in the Huo Guo restaurant.
Q: What was your main trigger to come to Korea?
A (Husband): After being discharged from military duty, I had been doing several jobs in Longjing, but then longed to have a higher quality of life. Therefore, in 1999, I decided to come to Korea through paying 70,000 yuan to a broker. That is almost 14 million won in Korea, which is big money. Usually, these brokers swindle the desperate people, but I was the lucky one.
A (Wife): I came to Korea around the year 2000 from Tumen because I wanted a better life as well. In my case, my mom already had Korean nationality, which let me get Korean nationality relatively easier than others.
Q: How did you settle down in Korea and what were the obstacles you had to face?
A (Husband): When I entered Korea, getting a stable job was not easy. As a result, I used to work as a day laborer, such as a carpenter or in the construction field. Even after I met my wife that was my usual life. After all, in 2008, we opened this restaurant, which was about 10 years after we came to Korea, and then we married in 2010.
A (Wife): When we talk about Koreans' bias against Josunjok, it is beyond our thoughts. Regardless of how old you are, as soon as they find out that you have our accent, Koreans' way of speaking changes immediately. I used to work at restaurants as a server and could personally feel discrimination; for example, when the ingredients do not seem fresh enough, they asked me if they came from China. I've spent all my money to come to this country and the only thing I had was my ego. However, sometimes when people gave me sympathetic looks, I instinctually showed somehow an aggressive attitude. I remember one time that people asked me whether I knew what a banana was. (laugh) My answer was, "In China, even pigs do not eat them." Can you imagine how hurt I was when I was answering that negatively? It took exactly 10 years for me to overcome the complex of this bias.
Q: Is there any tips for your success? What is your ultimate goal?
A (Husband): It was never an easy success. For the first 10 years, we worked without any time off, or dared to spend money. We went through failures several times, especially when we challenged for developing this restaurant into a brand approximately seven years ago; it was one great adversity. Back then, we could not fully reflect Korea's regional sentiments or characteristics. We have changed our strategy into expanding only the few selected chain stores by distributing the recipes and ingredients with a low price.
A (Wife): We still struggle with the consulting or advertisements, but above all, "coexistence" is our major motto and that's how we currently have 10 chain stores. We know that "we can survive when they survive," therefore, we provide good quality with a lower price. When we build the contract with the chains, we see how trustful the person is. Besides the trust, another main success factor I am proud of is our own sauce recipe, but I cannot share this with anyone (laugh). The flavor is not exactly the same as in China because seasonings come from Korea, but we stick to its original taste by hiring people from the mainland. Also, one other factor is globalization. Back in 2008, there was one Korean coming out of 10 Chinese. However, nowadays it goes the opposite way because people became more familiar with Chinese food and the world is getting smaller and smaller. If our business continues in good shape like this, my ultimate dream is to possess our own house, not rent. Then my children will be able to live in more stabilized conditions, not like us.
 |
| Leg of lamb |
Q: How is the current Josunjok community in Korea?
A (Wife): Until the late '90s, there were not many ethnic Koreans living in China. Other than the first compatriot, most of them in Korea were illegally staying. As the number of migrants increased steadily, it largely grew during President Roh Moo-hyun's open policies and loosened regulations. Originally, there were about 2 million of us in Yanbian, but now there are less than 1 million in Yanbian and more than 1 million in Seoul. Nonetheless, the thing is that only a few of them were able to stably settle down in Korea. Most of them are in construction fields, just like my husband was at first. Exceptionally, there are quite a number of settlers in Garibong-dong and Daerim-dong who are in the restaurant business as we are; this is why we decided to settle down in Dongdaemun-gu.
Q: Is there any particular difference you see between Korean and Chinese education for your children?
A (Wife): Our kids are 10 years old and the other is five. I always teach them that "people come prior to the study." They learn Korean but will not start learning Chinese until they can perfectly master Korean. However, because I wish them to go to university in Korea, I let them learn English: the must-learn language. I am well aware of China's fame regarding the Tiger Mom, but personally consider Koreans are way worse. In China, the public schools give a bunch of homework so that kids do not have enough free time, while Korean kids also do not have free time because they are all sent to the private schools. In addition, the college attendance rate in Korea is extremely high that when they grow up, they only look for a better job though there is plenty of work you can do physically. Even in my restaurant, when we recruit employees, only foreigners come to apply.
Q: Do you have any other comments?
A (Wife): Korea is transparent, respectful and liberal. This is what makes Korea a very attractive country. However, Korea is soft with law execution; it really needs to be strengthened. Seeing Korean movies dealing with second convictions, it makes me concerned about our future society in which my children will live in. Personally, I expect to see that money never allows acquittal.
A (Husband): I just wish that Korea-China relations develop and stay positive. Considering how difficult it was to invite cooks from China during the THAAD period, macro-diplomatic relations always hit the petit bourgeois, just like us, who are at the very front line.
This couple now runs 10 chain stores. Though they stumbled on their way to success, they built up their maturity and skills in business. On one hand, they never let go the Korean traits of tenacity for success, investment for their children and gifted diligence. On the other, they knew how to build up the network among people through trust and expand it to their business, which is guanxi (network), the distinguishable culture the Chinese have. They were very well aware of the way to maximize both countries' advantages. I look forward to seeing their dreams turn into a small, but positive impact on Korea-China relations.
Hwang Jae-ho is director of the Global Security Cooperation Center, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul. Ko Sung-hwah, a researcher at the center, assisted Professor Hwang with the article.
![[INTERVIEW] 'Money Heist: Korea' writer feels satisfied to expand series' franchise](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e264f8d5589442489d72f9494ca3f1c7.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
