“I’m an American.” Ten shades of ten Koreans. The journey of how they struggled, settled, and succeeded in the United States. The third episode, the story of Lee Jong-hwi, a tailor.
It’s been 35 years since Lee left South Korea and began his life in the U.S. Lee seems at ease now after having settled down in American, the land unfamiliar to him at first.
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“When I was living in South Korea, my wife and I used to work at an office. With what we earned, we were barely able to support ourselves and save what we could. It seemed not enough to get by. My schoolmates were in America, and I thought I should also go to America.”
Lee was looking for a better life and chose America. But he must have felt afraid to start a new job in a foreign land.
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“I wasn’t scared. I was a skilled tailor and thought I could earn as much as I worked.”
Lee began his life in America with a thousand dollars. In the beginning, he worked as a department store clerk to support himself and his family. And suddenly an opportunity came to him.”
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“An associate told me I should take over this store. I said, ‘I wasn’t prepared.’ But he encouraged me to go ahead saying, ‘Mr. Lee, you can do it.’ That got me to began this store.”
“What's the hardest part of your life here?”
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“From the start, I faced a language problem. But after some time, I learned to speak what was needed to run my business, although it wasn’t perfect. If I spoke English more fluently, I could have expanded my business.”
Joy and hardship accompanied Lee through the process of preparing, beginning, and maintaining his business in a new place he settled down.
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“I used to bring work home. After dinner, I used to work until midnight at home. I started making little profit working hard, and that brought me joy.”
The fruit of his hard work paid off in three years when he was able to buy a home. And, also his children - Lee is always very thankful they grew up well.
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“I feel my hard work is worth the effort when I see my children all grown up healthy without any problems. That brings me joy.”
To Lee, America is a land that grows what you sow. It is a country where he feels his labor and time are fairly rewarded.
Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor and Shop Owner)
“This is such a good country. It pays back the hard labor you pour into it.”
Негізгі бет [I’m an American] Lee Jong-hwi (Tailor)
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