There are approximately 7.3 million Koreans around the world, including both descendants of early immigrants from the Korean Peninsula and new immigrants in recent years.
The Korean diaspora is a large family of people from many countries, with footprints all over the world, especially in the United States, China, Japan, Canada and Uzbekistan, where Koreans live and develop overseas. Main places. Many people have established their roots, culture and social networks here, allowing the world to better understand Korea’s history and values.
For Koreans, immigration is not a new phenomenon. Korea's history includes many stories of immigration, dating back to the Japanese invasion between 1592 and 1598. This period of history not only took away hundreds of thousands of Koreans, but also left a profound cultural mark on them. During the Japanese rule from the late 18th century to the early 19th century, Koreans were forced or chose to emigrate overseas in various forms.
During the Japanese invasion, many Koreans were sent as slaves to Japanese or Portuguese colonies, and these early immigrants laid a foundation for the later diaspora culture. Some of them even became witnesses of history because of their social status, such as the fate of Korean warriors who were separated from their homeland.
After entering the 20th century, as Korea gained independence and its economy grew rapidly, the trend of immigration rose again. Koreans immigrate to the United States, China, and South American countries for various reasons. The Korean community in the United States, especially in Los Angeles and New York, has become the representative of Korean culture and has an influence on local society that cannot be underestimated.
Korean culture began to demonstrate its versatility and adaptability. From the culinary delights of Korean BBQ and bibimbap to the global impact of K-pop, the Korean diaspora has played a vital role in promoting and popularizing Korean culture worldwide.
The "Korean food walk of fame" refers to Broad Avenue in New Jersey, USA, which has the highest density of Korean restaurants in the United States and has become a food paradise for many tourists and community residents.
However, Korean immigrants also face many challenges living abroad. Whether it is getting through the difficult adaptation period or interacting with the local society, they need to overcome difficulties such as language and cultural differences. As time went by, many Koreans slowly found their foothold and gradually integrated into the local society.
In recent years, along with economic development, there has been a return of Koreans. With international media coverage and the development of social networks, South Korea's image to the world has become increasingly clear, attracting overseas Koreans to return to their homeland, bringing new vitality and creativity to their hometown.
Even though Koreans are now scattered around the world, their stories continue and become more exciting with the waves of immigration. In this era of globalization, how will the inheritance and development of Korean culture affect the next generation of Koreans?