Forums » Smalltalk » AMA: The Mixed Heritage

Hi everyone! I finally have confident and brave enough to write this kind of getting to know me book.

The title says so. I'm half Indonesian and half Korean. I was born in Indonesia and grew up here so I have more knowledge on my ID side. I apologize in advance if my grammar isn't really perfect too but hey, ask me anything? ^^ i'd be glad to answer.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm mixed too (black and white).

Do people treat you any type of strangely? The best way I can describe it is by using my example: (I'm too white to be black, and too black to be white)

Hi Verse! Thank you for asking!^^

In Indonesia? No. Everyone has been so nice to me. Also Indonesia is known to have so many races. Multiple races lives here since the country itself has a vast land and we have countless (if I can't count it myself) races, mother tongue languages, cultures and many more. So, the treatment hasn't really affect me in strange ways, probably because I grew up in multi-cultural bloods too. Both generic and in papers, there aren't really any difficulties in my life.

I hope this make sense on answering you. It's actually interesting to know that you are mixed race too and I hope nothing strange went on your life! ^^

I have a second question.

I assume since you've lived in Indonesia, you'd know cuisine. I used to work for an Indonesian guy named Hadi. He would almost always bring lunch for us and he brought rendang (assuming it wasn't Ramadan for him and Lent for me), but forgive my autism, but what is your absolute favorite Indonesian dish?

Ohh!!! You know rendang? Thats cool!!! Need so much time to make it. Hahah

My fav food there are tons to list. Basically I love spicy food! Anything that come with some spicy taste on it I will like it!!!^^

Also noodles! Ramyeon/ramen/lamion, Chicken noodles, kwetiau, glass noodles, any kind of noodles, I love them! But! I don't really have preference on pasta/spaghetti. HehehXD

Do you feel you got a lot of exposure to your Korean side through your parents? Did you have to seek it out another way? Or maybe it's still not as clear to you as you would like?

I'm sorry of my very late reply! Well, yes. My father did tell me a story about his korean family. Although I'm more close to my ID root than my KR side but since my father is the first born in the family, there is this "culture" to his siblings to actually reach out to him as he is in the first line of the status. Either way, I know about his family tree and it was clear, although I'm not really close with them.

I hope my explanation give you a clear view about my answer, Kim!

I am so sorry for blowing this AMA up, but between Jakarta and Bali, where do you suggest I go for vacation? The boss I told you about (Hadi B***yono) is from Bali, and I'm kinda torn as to where I wanna go when I finally decide to travel.

A little backstory about me: I'm kinda quiet and reserved in new places, and it takes me a bit to get acclimated. I like small towns and I love visiting churches and Mosques.

I was going to ask about Bali as well since it’s a popular place for Australians to go. I’d like to tick Indonesia 🇮🇩 off my bucket list of countries I want to visit. I also want to go to Phuket and Bangkok Thailand as well.

There is this saying, If you want to go for business, go to Jakarta. But if you want to go for some nature healing, go to Bali.

Jakarta is the metropolitan city. there are some of outdoor activities but mostly, we lean on indoor activities more. There are so much big malls here also buildings, skyscrapers, indoor theme park, sea world, clubs and yeah... mostly indoor activities. But the transportation here is the most convenient for abroad travelers if you like some walking/sightseeing activities. There are KRL commuter lines, LRT, MRT, BRT/TransJakarta. Also if you like some adrenaline, you can try our Gojek or JakLingko.

As for Bali, I admit, even I haven't been there as well. (LOL) so I just got some of the story telling about the city that it's good to attract travelers around the world.

BUT.

Honestly, since Indonesia have a vast land, I can list some of another city than Bali that you guys can go:
1. Yogyakarta: They have Borobudur as The Wonders of the Ancient Heritage
2. Bengkulu: They have Rafflesia Arnoldi here. And it was the rare flower.
3. Labuan Bajo: The Port to Paradise
4. Raja Ampat: It's known as Indonesia's Maldives. It's the paradise for divers.
5. Komodo Island: Obviously, Komodo dragon! the world's largest living lizard

A man after my own heart. Cheers!

Hi Jenn! I have some questions...
• Is there anything in your Indonesian culture and your Korean culture that tend to clash (seemingly opposed to each other)?
• If you packed up this week and went to Korea to live and work, would it be a huge cultural change to you?

Also, thanks for the list of places to visit in Indonesia! Don't know if I'll ever make it there, but who knows?

Ohh!! Dawn eonnie thank you for asking!!

Well, ID and KR don't really have those huge cultural difference. I think most of the part, we share something in common. Example like the honorrific. Its the same. The only different things I could say is the food.

As for working there, also I don't think it would be any big changed on my behaviour (thanks to my dad influence!) The cultural/habit/manner isn't really differ too much for anyhing that could even change myself if I have to choose between the two identities.