“Not Sri Lankan, Not Bangladeshi, Not Ghanaian—So Where Am I From?”

 

Why Koreans Always Think I’m From Somewhere Else

Living in Korea as a Polynesian boy is an adventure—especially when it comes to how people guess my nationality. I’ve been asked if I’m from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Mongolia, Fiji, Hawaii, Brazil, even Ghana… basically everywhere except where I’m actually from.

At first, it used to surprise me. However, after living here, I have come to understand. Korea is a very homogeneous country, and most people don’t meet many Polynesian people. So when they see me, they try their best to connect me to the countries they are familiar with. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes confusing, but most of the time it becomes a great conversation starter.

When I explain that I’m Polynesian, people usually pause and then say, “Oh… where is that?” And that’s when the fun begins. I tell them about Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, and all the islands scattered across the Pacific. I talk about beaches, warm weather, big families, and a culture that’s very different from Korea’s fast-paced lifestyle. Their reactions are always the same—wide eyes, big smiles, and a surprised “Wow!”

Being mistaken for different nationalities used to feel strange, but now I see it as a bridge. Every time someone guesses wrong, it opens a door for me to share my culture, my identity, and my stories. And little by little, Koreans learn that the Pacific is much bigger—and more diverse—than they ever imagined.