Did you hear that? Did you hear the Korean culture? What is that? I have only been in a couple of relationships. I only had two girlfriends, and they are both Black. This video is about our trip to Atlanta last year around Chuseok. I know it has been a while since we came back from the trip.
But, we got to meet a lot of interesting people who shared their stories. So, I didn't want these footages to go to waste! I hope you enjoy our time in Atlanta. And let's get started! As you know, we love road trips. We love seeing things as we go.
And James is a great driver who doesn't mind driving for long. And it's much cheaper than flying. Hehehe So, we drove around 10 hours from our place in Virginia to Atlanta, GA. It was a super long drive.
Oh! It's there! The Love sign. On our way there, we stopped by to see one of the love artworks which was absolutely beautiful These love artworks are everywehre throughout Virginia I love them. After a long drive We finally arrived in Atlanta around midnight. James did all the driving So, I really thank him for that.
We spent our first night at Jjimjilbang called Jeju Sauna It's like real Jeju It was a great place for us to rest and clean ourselves after a long long trip We came to spend Chuseok in Atlanta with this meetup group called The group is for Black and Asian singles or couples or even families! To mingle and socialize with each other and support each other. What is it? Ah.. For the kids? On behalf of Red Bridge Society, We wanna welcome you guys for Chuseok to Jeju Sauna and Duluth, GA. We are gonna have a lot of fun on this trip.
Yes!! The group invited us to Atlanta and they welcomed us once we arrived there. She's the founder of the group. The food at the Jjimjilbang was on point. It was very good Korean food that I needed right at that moment.
:) And we met this cute couple and I wanted to interview them. Alright, so... Will you introduce yourself? I'm Johnny. And I am Martina.
We are together. We are engaged. We have been together for four years? Yes. Johnny works at a retail store.
And I would frequently visit the retail store and I visited for about good 4,5 years. Because I shop there all the time. But not like repetitiously and then randomly in 2011 with my...Like, I looked horrible. I was getting my hair done and I, I had to walk into his store, like, in mid-break.
So, I wasn't looking pretty at all. I looked like a hot mess. And he put his hand over the counter and he puts his hand over my hand was like, I would like to take you out on one date and I was like, "Cool!" And that was history from there. Ah..
Oh Really? OK, so now I wanna hear from your, your side, so... Well, that's exactly how we met. What made you do it, though? / Yeah. You know that.
You caught my attention. Like when? From the beginning? Oh Yeah, when I first saw her. When she did have her makeup on and stuff she caught my attention, but she didn't pay attention to me. I just kinda..
You know, I was a little shy and ask her out and stuff so, maybe after that third, four time I saw you in there I thought it would be the perfect chance I asked her grabbed her hands and said "Hey, you know, I wanna take you out." You know, I can't refuse! So, she gave me her number. That's like a movie, actually. How did you feel when he did that? OK. First, I was embarrassed.
Because I looked a hot mess. And then... That was my first one. And then second one, I was like "Oh really? OK." I was like " Oh, whatever." 'Cause I just have kind like uh....
You didn't even wanna like, date or just... Yeah, I wasn't open to relationships at that time, so... I was like, whatever, so we go out, we go out. I am giving a try kind of thing.
I was just like, "OK, I see him all the time." But, I was very persistent and consistent Yes. He was very persistent so, we started we went on a date in 2011 and then in the whole year of 2011 he would do like, random acts of kindness to let me know that he wanted me to be his lady. Yes/ so, like, I had a bad day, and I told him about it, but I didn't think he was listening because, you know guys don't pay attention, so and the next we know I went up to the front door and it was a bouquet bouquet or flowers? Flowers./ And I was like "Where did this come from?" My mom was the one who opened the door first she knows it first. We were like, who left flowers on our door? And then, uh...
I got a call from him, or did I call you? Or you called me? I called you and just said, " Did you get the flowers?" He was like, "Because I heard you had a bad day." So, it was that. He even bought gifts for my mom. See? He was like, he was trying his way in there with that. It's Korean tradition.
You know, just, you know.. You gotta get the mom to like you first, right? Yeah. He was like, "Oh! Your birthday?" Here is a birthday gift. "Oh! Happy Valentine's day." Oh! Just anything Wow.
You got me mom. Yeah./ But, Me, I was like, oh...Ok. That was very sweet of you. So, I finally accepted I guess our relationship in October 10th, 2012 So, it would have been a year.
And We would have some ups and downs, whatever And, finally, I gave him a try because I noticed all the great things he would do for me You, you put in some work to date me and he came to me, and he was like "Look! I really wanna be with you." "You are the woman that I want to be with. I want even give any other girls time or date. Because I wanna be with you." And at first, I though he was lying. Guys do games.
And I was like "Yeah. Whatever." But he... Put in the work./ Telling the truth./ Yeah. He was telling the truth.
I mean, I know a lot of guys do play games, but I just... When you wanna be with somebody You just really know. Yeah./ When you wanna be with somebody yeah. He proved it, so I decided to give him a try and Here we are.
And we got really serious for 2 years and then I finally popped the question Yeah. He popped the question on December 27th, 2014? Yep. Yeah. You guys have been engaged for a long time, then.
For 2 years? / Yeah. Is there a reason why you guys have been engaged for Money./ Yeah. Finance./ Finance./ Really. Yeah.
/ OK. Because we...At first people were like "Just go ahead and get married. Do a courthouse thing or whatever what not." But, we want a traditional And we just moved into together like, when we got engaged./ Yeah. Ah..
Ok/ So, we had to just see how we are together You know, before... Because we both have really strong personalities You are more than me We both have strong personalities So, what about your family, then? My family? / What did they say? Ummm.. /Or what do they say?/ My parents are ok. Because I come from a family who is like all mixed My uncle is you know, African American.
He's been in the army and my aunt is Korean. And she has a twin sister who's Korean but she's married a Caucasian guy White guy So, all my cousins, my whole family they are like a whole mixed of babies So, I mean They are ok. They are ok with her. You speak Korean, and you know a lot of Korean culture and all that, so are you Korean American or how? I grew up in American culture.
I mean, I was born in Korean, but I came here when I was 5. OK. / So, basically, I am used to the American culture. Ah...
Ok. / So, What's a good thing being in a relaitonship with someone who's from a different background or different culture or different background? Being so different is very interesting because you know, you are not used to the same old thing like a traditional thing like everybody knowing already so, it makes it a little bit more interseting Yeah. Because you are constantly learning. Yeah.
About each other You know because.../ Because I would have never tried to learn Korean. That wouldn't even cross my mind. And I recently started learning it once we got engaged, like Our relationship was serious. I knew different command words, but other than that, I had to immerse myself.
Into his culture because when we think about it when we have kids all of our kids will know both sides. Yeah. It will be a better world if we all mix together. Oh.
Yeah. Let's talk about the first time you ate your Korean food. Oh. Yeah.
I had always eaten Chinese food. I really didn't know too much about Korean food. She thought Chinese food was like the same thing as Korean food. / I didn't! Until I introduced her to Korean food and the restaurant we first went to was Seoul Garden You know, they come out with the side dishes for all the Korean food.
So, she was like "Oh My Gosh. Are all these free? Or do we have to pay for all those side dishes?" I was like, "No, it is just a part of the meal. They give you side dishes to go with the main course." Yeah./ And you fell in love with Korean food. Korean food.
Like, I can't really.... I eat Chinese food now, but I have more love for Korean food. Do you have any cultural struggles or do you have any differences? But, you just said you grew up in American culture, so I don't know, but still you have your Korean family You know what I am saying? Do you have any Korean... Any cultural differences? No, not for me, really.
But maybe for her./ Because there were a lot of things he tried to prepare me for before I go, like when we first started dating, he was like This... Korean culture. This is this and that is that. Before I walked through the door to either greet in a certain way or do certain things.
Something you told me. I can't remember now but normally when you come to our house or something you know you have to like, I told you to bring a.../ Yeah. A gift./ Kind of uh... You know.
Not a major gift. It's like uh... There were others that you told me you have to bow your head. Yeah.
But Yeah... Which is....It's like a really minor thing. He would let me know before I go in and certain things. Oh..
This is this.. And sometimes when when you have an older person yeah./ Just certain respectful things that would be more respectful in their culture you know, Americans are whatever But,/ Hey, buddy. Hey! Yeah. So you know just...
Of to ...... Everything about age just be more respectful. Just respect your elders / Even if they are a couple of months older. So../ Yeah.
So, she had more of a cultural issue than I have./ YEah. Now, we have been together for so long, I, I never notice anything now. You know, the whole difference between difference between. Not really cultures.
I have been learning about your cultures, so.../ Skin colors Yeah. The whole skin color thing. Because it's more like an American thing. At first, when we first started dating I noticed it.
I felt like everybody was watching. Everybody was like Uh... Asian? Uh? What is she doing? I did feel awkward. I kind of...
Like. I felt the same way, too. We went to like a premier... Was it the Christmas thing and...
I felt weird because a lot of people were giving us looks. But, now I don't really care. We are like whatever. We are so used to each other.
It doesn't really bother me anymore, but before... So, people still... People still do that. / They still do that.
And they will look at us like "That's a weird match." And you know, just... Just a side eye thing. Kind like the.. That look people give I mean.
People don't wanna believe it. Races it's still like a big issue for some people. And the traditional thing and background.. You know, you shouldn't, you know...
But and we just scratch all that and we just make it work! Yeah. Because... Love is stronger, you know. Yeah.
That is, actually. Of course we love each other. Why would we be here? Yeah. People still give us kind of that and I got this comment like, "Really? Asian?" And I am like Yeah.
He's human. He's still human, so I mean, people don't think about it when they interbreed dogs It's ok, but humans are not allowed to do that. We are all mammals. We really don't care what they are all saying.
We don't think about it when they have a Maltipoo. (Matiese + Poodle) YEah. So... Any word of advice that you want to give to anybody who I don't know...
Interested in... I think if you are interested in dating somebody outside of your race you should just go for it. I mean. Everybody is gonna have something to say.
So, just have an open mind... Don't just feel like I wanna date outside of my race because Hey, I have never tried something new. It's more like, you need to learn the person's culture and background because in order to love someone you have to know everything about them. And accept everything about them.
Like I did with you. Yeah. I deal with your craziness. So...
Yeah.... So, yeah. That's what you have to do. 'Cause...
Um... You might be missing out on your life partner. Yeah. Anything you wanna say? Thank you.
/Thank you for you time. And your family is wonderful. YEah. The beautiful kids.
Yeah. Your daughters are adorable. Thank you so much./ You are welcome. We woke up and having some breakfast.
After nice food nice breakfast this is what you do so, once you are here. You don't wanna go anywhere. Super.... Super warm.
Especially you know.. It's all It's very very warm. You just... You just want to lie down and rest.
It's just best feeling. Somi, what is that? Wow. Turn around. This is Yangmori.
And you need to do this when you come to Jjimjilbang. I'll show you how to do this. Fold like this. And then fold like this.
And then you fold this. Like you are folding a sleeve. Usually one, two, maybe three depends on how big your head is So, three times, right?And then what you do open this and it goes on... On my head.
Perfect. And here we all are come on. Get in. Get in.
Get in get in what did you just get, honey? I just got me a brand new iphone 7. I lost my phone my iphone 6. Two days ago./ Two days ago. It's good.
I am back online, guys. You can call me even though I don't have your number. And then we had lunch. The food was amazing.
We had Tteokbokki and Kimbap. Nice to meet you. It's crazy I can see you guys in person. No really.
I watch your videos and stuff. Yeah. We went to have dinner with the group members. They arranged this welcome dinner for us.
And many people came and had a great time with us. Thanks, everyone who showed us that night. I'm going to Korea. You are going to Korea! / In 2 weeks! Yeah.
I'm excited. What do you wanna do? What do you wanna do? All types... Shopping. Go see palace.
Go buy hanbok. What's your name? / Joseph Are you going to Korean festival tomorrow? I have to work. I work seven days a week. I have to make money.
Yeah. You know how it works. Typical Korean... You know...
So, yeah. Let my wife stay home. She takes all my money. I work hard.
That's Korean culture, right? / Korean culture Honey, honey. Did you hear that? Did you hear the Korean culture? What is that? Yeah. Yeah. It's the correct culture.
Yes. Correct culture./ No. Hahahahahahha Not for men. No.
No. No. No. Wife takes all the money, right? That's Korean culture.
Thanks for confirming. It's Chinese culture, too. Yes. She takes all my money, too.
Is it chinese culture, too? Yeah. This is my second time attending this kind of event. The first time I came to know this group was through the loving... The loving day event.
Now, I am a part of the family! Yay!!! My name is Doug. My last name, my family name is Szeto. They pronounce it as Zetoo. It's apparently such an old chinese last name that most chinese mainlanders do not recognise.
They don't believe that's Chinese. You know, it makes it seem worse because I don't speak Chinese. So, they think that I am just bluffing. Apparently, I look very Asian.
They didn't teach me squad. Teach me nothing They didn't teach you nothing! Nothing. / Why not? Now, I don't blame. Because now I can learn it, but Do you ever ask? They never gave me a good answer.
According to my mom, she says that they said, I think the reason I think is they didn't want me to have a funny accent when I speak english being one of those... Or... They didn't think that was practical which is kinda of dumb because you know, it's only the most spoken language in the world But, I used to be a preschool teacher So, I love kids. What brought you this...
/ To the united states? No. To this group./ This group? / Yeah. Ummm... Are you interested in Black women? Yes, that's true.
I wouldn't deny that. I have been in... I have only been in a...A couple of relationships. I only had two girlfriends.
And they are both Black. I grew up in Alabama. I was born in Canada. We move to...
A small town in the northeast Alabama and I grew up around only white or black people essentially handful of hispanic people I didn't grow up around any Asian except my brother, so Honestly, I have just made my first Asian friend in Atlanta. His name is Peng. Give a shoutout to my boy, Peng. But, I grew up around mostly white or Black people so, that's what I grew accustomed to growing up.
So... I guess I probably had a little bit of self identity issue, because my brother and I were one of the few Asian people in our home town. We are the only Szetos, so anybody knows who we are. In a small town in Alabama, so I didn't used to have that kind of attraction but I guess I started to respect how Black women have been able to overcome their struggles I am very pro natural hair for Black women.
I am very pro natural beauty of Black women. Especially my first relationship with a Black woman She's a good person. Even though we broke up. We actually got engaged back in May of 2012 when we graduated from college.
But it didn't happen for a personal reasons But otherwise. My life is very complicated my personality is very complicated I love this group. And this is awesome to be able to meet with you. That's awesome.
You.. You helped us. And I remember when I got this camera I cried. We were not able to afford that thing.
You know. He was a student and... I really appreciate what you guys do. Like..
It's pretty cool... There is not too many Black Asian culture places in general? I guess or I don't think the conversation is really had as far as Asian Black relations True, true./ So Ah! That looks interesting. You know what I mean? So yeah... I am grateful that people appreciate my work and see my channel as an effort to help people come together and unite! And understand different cultures and love others more.
We James, Lily, Yuri and Dasomi appreciate your support and love from the bottom of our hearts!!! Thank you!!! We just found out that James is gone. Annyeonghaseyo! I didn't go to school until 15 years old because I had been isolated through the... You know... The people Really?/ Yeah..
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