Jul 31 2008
Are you a Korean? Yes, but I’m Singaporean too.
I get that question a lot. And I’ve had a few people asking me that too on my blog comments.
Yes I am Korean. But I’m also half-Singaporean…
No, I’m not mixed. Both my parents are Koreans.
Yes, I’m a PR here… have been for a long time now… but that’s not why I consider myself half-Singaporean.
I’m what Koreans popularly call “the 1.5 generation” or better known as 1.5G in other countries. It’s not a term commonly used here but basically it refers to people who relocate to a new country before or during their early teens. So, 1G refers to immigrants themselves (in this case, my parents although my family’s move is not strictly immigration) and 2G refers to the first generation born in the new country. (maybe my children if they’re born here?)
I guess, depending on the age of relocation and the community you settle in, your ability to assimilate into a new culture would differ. My siblings and I have been very fortunate in that sense. I was only 5 when we first came to Singapore. I spent 10 wonderful years of my childhood in Singapore before returning to Korea, and most of my fondest memories come from Singapore. My siblings will probably echo that as well although they left Singapore early to study in the US. My parents meanwhile have been living here for over 20 years now!
Honestly I hardly remember what Singapore was like in the mid 80s. Maybe I was too young?
But I do treasure a few faint memories I have of our first home on Holland Road, my first English lesson (memories of this are like a silent movie - all I remember is my teacher talking in a language I didn’t understand and me just sitting there thinking “why does she keep pointing at the apple picture in the book?” 
) and oh!… the ice-cream uncle and his bell!!! yum~ haha
I’m truly grateful to my parents for making Singapore their and my second home. Singapore was a big part of my growing up years. I made many great friends who I still keep in touch with today AND as my Korean friends frequently point out, benefited from the perfect environment to pick up two new languages relatively easily - English and Mandarin. (If you’ve heard about the English craze in Korea, you can probably empathize with what my friends are saying.) It’s something we take for granted living here but yes indeed, we are really privileged to live in a society that exposes us to different languages, different cultures and different experiences at an early age. I guess that’s why, after being away for so long, I’m back here in Singapore today. Because I have so many memories here and I want to be with my parents too. While away, I missed my laksa and hor fun… (well, now I’m missing my kimchi hehe)… as well as my daily dose of lahs & lehs and mahs & mehs… but no no, not the durian… yet.
That’s partly how I justify myself that I’m really more Singaporean than many people think. You can disagree.
A Korean and 0.5 Singaporean… or as a “1.5er”… I recognize that I am in a unique situation. I belong to a generation straddling two countries and two cultures and am the bridge between my parent’s generation and my children in the future. Two countries, two cultures, two homes…
You know, I could have found myself sitting on the proverbial cultural fence, with one foot dangling over each side, trying to find my balance.
But I’ve been spared the difficult phase of acculturation and identification that many might have found themselves trapped in. And a big part has got to do with the environment/society I grew up in.
Because Singapore champions multi-culturalism and multi-lingualism and because she is one of the few cities which has successfully done so - she allows me to retain my cultural Korean heritage, be comfortable of who I am/where I’m from, although not a native here, and yet still makes me feel so at home. The best of two worlds indeed.
Happy Birthday Singapore in advance!… which reminds me…
Happy Birthday My Dearest Bro too in advance! - Love, Big sis in Singapore.
Dear Suzanne,
I can appreciate your sentiment and feelings towards your real home in Korea and second home here in Singapore. I, too, have similar sentiment as I grew up in HK since young when my dad took up a job there. I didn’t return to Singapore until I was enlisted. Now I am married and raising my own family here. There are times when I wish I can explain this sense of divide between being a born-Singaporean but having spent some really long and memorable times growing up in HK (more than 15 yrs). In any case, I am happy, proud and will always treasure the wonderful memories I had in HK. And I look towards my future in Singapore with equal if not more aspiration and hope.
hi suzanne,,
youre my favorite in cna ,
is jennifer alejandro a Filipino?
and is she still with cna?
Gosh..Im in love with your smile..It doesnt matter what comes out of your mouth..Just in awe lookin at you at primetimes.. :)) Yeah im checkin you out on TV! haha..anyways..keep smiling..
CHeerioss!
Dear Suzanne,
It was great reading your latest blog. I definitely can see the Singaporean side of your as you type and express yourself through the blog. Your writing and expressive style shows the distinctive Netcitizen and humane side of you. Looking forward to your frank and honest sharing!
hey Suzanne,
your latest post really reflects what I’ve been thinking about lately. I’m currently in Korea on a language exchange programme & will be there till december. The majority of people that I’ve met here are envious of Singaporeans’ ability to speak both English & Chinese fluently. I guess its really something that we take for granted since we are so used to it. It really reminded me of how fortunate we are in Singapore.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts!
~all the way from the land of kimchi
Hey!!
Haha..wonder if you’ll be the next Cheryl Fox!
Lolx…
i love watchin primetime morning due to 2 things…
1) It gives me a quick snapshot for the day
2) I love the way you present!!!
Hahax..sounds wrong..lolx..But it’s so cool..
I do admit that i’m lazy to read the news though..
Haha..
Wonder if they have an attachment programme for presenters wanna-be..lol..
Hi Suz
It’s great to have you blogging apart from the usual news casting.
I can still rem when you are reporting the news out of the studio; great to have you on the morning show.
I sincerely hope CNA can do something abt your wardrobe on the set; you DESERVED a better range of fashion for a lovely lady.
Keep up the great work and personality.
Cheers.
Dear Suz:
I’ve enjoyed your last blog comment. Regards to, I consider that actually we have not boundaries and we’re world’s citizens or should feel like that. For me, is not important where you came from, the important is how you live as human being. I born in Brazil, grow up in Chile, study at Canada, married in Taiwan and my daughter born in Peru. So, my heart and soul are divided in 5 parts… so I feel like part of our earth… after all mostly the wars are related to stupid ideas of country limits… I think that if more people feel less like a country belonged and more humankind belonged all the things will be better …. Cheers EDU.
Someone defined nationality by language. Therefore, Singapore is truly multi national, with over 40 different nations in one. Is such a broad cross section of global citizens represented by different languages or less? Nevertheless, Singapore is truly multi lingual.
Singapore is also really a successful multi cultural community, with a rich variety of world society inhabiting her. Even all the major world religions are freely practised in your tiny island state, galvanising Singapore as a truly harmonious multi religious country.
Since watching CNA, I’ve grown to respect and appreciate Singapore even more with every passing day. God bless Singapore and may her citizens, permanent residents, migrant workers and visitors, prosper with good health, wealth and wisdom!
Happy birthday Sing!! I think the greatest birth day present your founding fathers gave you, is the power and unity of the English language. Keep it up, you are a shining good example in this earth carelessly going bad. When will we see you again on PTM Suzanne.
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for telling us more about yourself. It’s great to know more about the person on TV… there’s a personal connection if you don’t mind me saying.
So do you plan to stay in Spore permanently or do you plan to move around? Now that the world is becoming more and more of a global village, it won’t be long before many of us fall into the 1.5 generation you mentioned.
Keep up the great job with your blog. You write on things that let us ponder and question. I like it.
Cheers,
Luca P.
I agree Luca, personal contact between TV personalities and viewers is great but I trust our interaction will help us stay connected rather than disconnected and I hope Suzanne will grow with CNA and that may be any where in this global village, we refer to, though PTM’s best for me at present! I wonder what other bloggers feel?
Hi Suzanne, i’m glad to see you here talking more about yourself and i think we want to know even more ..haa Hope to see you on PTM tomorrow.keep up the good works.
Andrew
Hi Suzanne Jung,
Since you are a Korean and now a PR already for a very long time indeed. What holding you back for converting into a Singaporean.
You are back to Korean when you are 17 years old. At what year you return to Singapore? Do you mind i am curious. What make you return to Singapore?
Do you find yourself another-half, your husband here in Singapore or is a Korean?
So your sister are here too and your parent are here for nearly 2 decade.
Are they Singaporean or PR?
Your sister has a very cute child. Your niece very cute.
I am hoping to get marry and have my own child someday later. How about you?
I am from Malaysia and had been stay in Singapore for the past 10 plus year. Only recently that I get my Singapore Citizenship. And have the unique sense of similarity as your experience.
I love to watch you hosting the Prime Time morning show.
You are pretty and enchanting.
And attract people like me.
You can send me an email if you are free and willing to. I will feel really excited if you reply to my email.
Suzanne,
I enjoy your show on CNA, I am happy to know that you are living here happily.
Wish you happy and healthy.
Suzanne,
i love your show on CNA….enjoy yr stay here, stay cool..
and i agreed with Gerry,
“I sincerely hope CNA can do something abt your wardrobe on the set; you DESERVED a better range of fashion for a lovely lady.”
Happy 5th anniversary PTM, hope you get promoted Suzanne. Trust you wont need a new wardrobe then, as much as when you are a CNA viewers front liner. Yet you look gorgeous made up for the studio, with Jenni and Steven too. Great team the three of you make and that’s a very pleasant help for us to start each week day.
Hey Suzanne,
I am in love with your million dollar smile and I try not to miss your show.
Keep on smiling and giving us good news.
Interesting to know about you. Being in a foreign country you need to do a lot of sacrifices. Afterall success is a fruit of hardwork, dedication and adjustments.
Wish you all the best of career and health.
What you say is primary for success no doubt PrithViraj but what’s your strategy for Suzannes career advancement? We all love Suzannes smile and want the best for Suzannes good health and prosperity too!
Hi Suz:
Yes Yes N Yes… you surely need a BRAND NEW wardrobe!
Cheers
Jenny
I’m looking forward to viewing CNAs coverage of Singapores 43rd birthday party when I get my TV from the repair shop this week and yes, seeing Suzanne in her brand new wardrobe too, will be a great treat.
Hi Suzan,
I like you the most in CNA, i think you are very inspiring.
This is the first time i visited this blog and yes, i am surprised that you are korean.
Anyway, keep up the good work and see you every morning!
Your smile is indeed awesome..comparable to Korean actress Kim Tae Hee…Just wondering, have you ever consider to become an actress?
I would love to see you act in a Korean drama..
hi suzanne, its interesting to find out that you spent your childhood in singapore! maybe you can share your interesting cross-cultural experiences from back then!
and its already been 5 years, wow! kudos for doing such a fantastic job everyday!
Hi Suzanne you look great on tv and I love to see you first thing in the morning. When I first heard you speak english, I was really surprised, its quite rare for koreans to speak that well.
Keep up the good work, your smile makes my mornings.
Yes Nightwing, I failed set the alarm last night and skipped one hour of PTM today and missed Suzannes USA interviews. What did you think of NDP ‘08? Did you watch it live or attend the ceramony?
Congratulations Singapore on a splendid birthday celebration, pausing to remember the founding ideals of your nations birth and depicting the future trend of your democray. Singapores action was not overshadowed by Chinas opening ceramony of the Beijing Olympics, as while China still has to ‘walk the talk’, Singapore only had to reinforce the beliefs on which the Singapore community was created and Spirit lives on. May the government of Singapore continue to create an enviorenment coducive for Singaporeans to achieve the legitimate aims and aspirations of all races and ethnic groups. We wish your founding farthers a long and healthy life.
hi suzanne! i really love to see you on PTM! you really look great on the show and it’s nice to read something about yourself. it sort of gives a personal touch to your personal life. love to hear you talk more about yourself! take care. looking forward to seeing you on tv!
Hi Suz,
It’s always a joy to see you every morning on CNA! I’ve always told my husband (he’s a Korean) that there’s this Korean lady who speaks fabulous English anchoring for our English news, and I’m proud that you’re the one!
Keep up the good work on the set!
Fighting!
In Spore, young Singaporeans are also in a whole Korean craze over Korean TV and film dramas in Spore. Korean romanticism & creativity certainly draws me like a magnet especially ever since my touch on Korean music.
Yiruma, DBSK/TVXQ, CSJH - The Grace are my favorite musicians and singers. Hmm…I should start to learn composing music with a korean touch.
hi suzanne,
i’m really curious,how tall exactly are you?
Dear Suzanne,
You have a photogenic looking. Anyway, are you consider converting to Singaporean or stay as PR?
Hi Suzanne,
I live in Saigon. My family is Chinese…
I really like your Tv show very much…..you and Steven look like a nice partner….I really like you and Steven hosting the show…..
You’re so lovely….you’re a rose of CNA…you’re a reason to watch CNA
Have a nice day……good luck to you all day…..
My blog,
http://360.yahoo.com/ying_huicn2002
Your appearance on CNA PTM has somehow become part of my daily work diet, partly because worldly news part of my job.
I do appreciate your smiles does brighten up the day; and does makes me wonder if I should return to Korea. Nevertheless Singapore is much of my home, and I wonder I truly can get adapted to Korea. Korea has caused a great impact on my life nevertheless, but I am much of a Singaporean
Hi Suzanne,
I like watching your program at the CNA Prime time morning. You have a very sweet smile. I catch 10 minutes of your program everyday before I go to work. Glad to see many more things in your blog. Keep it up!
You are definitely one of the best looking newscasters I have even seen anywhere. Of course, there are several really sweet faces on CNA. I am even thinking of dedicating a website to you guys. Will you contribute to it with your pictures and stuff if I do?
http://singaporeboysg.blogspot.com/
Visit my blog for my personal opinions on current events and some exclusive on Andrea Chow. Another gem.
Hi Suzanne…u have quite a bit of a fan club !
Just one question, on one hand, u said u had your most wonderful childhood years in Singapore..but yet u don’t recall what was Singapore like in the 80s.
Hi, It sounds to me that you know Mandarin. Do you ? Ni hao ma ?
Hi Suzanne,
You are the main reason why i watched PTM. Even my mother who don’t understand english commented that you are very pretty, especially your smiles and pair of eyes.
All along i thought you grew up in U.S and came to SG to work, keep up the good work. Would certainly like to see you presenting/hosting other prorammes besides PTM.
Doesn’t matter, sweetie. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re 100% Korean or 50% Singaporean, so long as you enjoy living and working in Singapore! (Now, don’t go anywhere else, seeing how so many people love you!)
The Thais would say it doesn’t matter where you come from or came from, so long as you act and speak like a Thai, you are Thai; in the same vein, I wish we could have something similar in Singapore too– doesn’t matter if you’re born or bred here, or “imported” here, so long as you think you love Singapore and Singapore lifestyles, you are Singaporean.
But keep it up girl!
Same here, I had a relatively fortunate childhood to others I know but I can’t remember all the details! Curious can you recall them?
Glad you like it here in SG.
Suzzane,
I love you so much… you are simply great. I never get tired watching you on CNA.
I hate it when someone else relieve you when you are not around.
Alas.. too bad I got a girlfriend now..
But i think my girlfriend looks a bit like you
Keep up the smile! You look gorgeous smiling.
Cheers! (to all the SJ fans too!)
Hello Suzanne,
This is my first or second time when to your blog.When ever I exercise, I on television and I saw you at channelnewasia. You looked great when you speak. I must say the channelnewasia is great and improved in our english. We can gain knowledge.
Hope you enjoyed staying in Singapore and make new friends. By the way, I enjoyed reading your blog as well as your picture.
Debbie Wee
Hi Suz
Used to watch alot of morning prime time news when you anchored. But I have missed watching you on primetime news on the bus route from my home to work since I bought a car.
I recently had a meeting with my board and my company is working on a project on global e-learning for driving training.
We brain stormed many ideas and one idea is to have video footages as visual aids to other drivers who drive overseas and want to learn more about driving when going abroad of any particular country.
We have been sourcing for a narrator and also a personality for the entire e-learning visual footages. And your name cropped up umpteen times-you have that exotic poise yet possess a global and petit femine demeanour.
Above that, you have that morning sunshine smile that brightens many viewers and hey, I posed the question to the board-how much are they ready to pay for a potentially excellent video host?
I believe you have the quality, the quinessential ability to make any visual show a sure draw. But your personality and your character that depict the CNA’s regional image is priceless.
Is wonderful and amicable to note that CNA has a group of fantastic world beaters in their global news broadcast regime.
Comfort Zone!
very very glad to find such kind of blog. I hv been in SG just one year and I really do interesting at you as I’m introduced with you via PTM. I google you such long. I really happy with this. This post made me happy as well as to know you’re acutally a korean. No wonder and tht’s why u’re too pretty and catching my eye. kwi kwi
I’d love to see you more. Hope to get yr auto on some day.
Hi Suzanne,
You are so attractive with your fluent speech and beautiful smile, which makes it a MUST for me to watch the PTM before i goes to work every morning. You are really awesome!
Hi Suzanne,
You are really excellent. You are my model, i really hope that i can speak fluent English like you.
I need get a Lanka Business Network cable tv CNAI connection and not rely on ETV only. This is on top of my mind, since Saudi tv’s taken CNAI basic slot. Ideally I want achieve this, before the World Knowledge Forum.
Hey Suzanne, Thanks for introduceing yourself to us. I’ve wondered about your personality in the past but now I know more about you. Your an Singaporean in my eyes. The first time I saw you in Primetimemorning, I thought you were an native Singaporean but then I got to know more that your Korean in your blood. I agree with you that your more Singaporean.
I like this sentence too:
“You know, I could have found myself sitting on the proverbial cultural fence, with one foot dangling over each side, trying to find my balance.”
Have a nice week, my idol. I’ve written for you sometime before but never got a reply. I think I would never get LOl. Never mind, sis. Anyway remember I’m always your fan,and smile everytime i see you on TV screen.
HI,
I’m learning Korean and find it most difficult to speak it. Since you are effectively trilingual and a newscaster, any tips on the key difference(s) when pronouncing in English versus Korean ?
Hi Suzzanne
I having watching CNA since its launch and happen to watch u on CNA first time 5 yrs back as a reporter who reports on the Siamese Conjoin Twins.. Then few months later that year, u r promoted to anchor chair with Timothy to host PTM. A very refreshing and beautiful Korean girl best for Breakfast TV until now. Too bad, i have lesson in the morning, don’t have the chance to watch PTM.. If its holiday or on the bus, i can catch you. I can say 5 yrs on, u stil waking up early with smiles all over the morning.. Let’s hope a another great 5 yrs seeing u on PTM & CNA..
Regards
Hi, Suzi, I love you and your programme very much!
Hi Suz
i am a big fan of you.
it is just great to start the day with you and your sweet smile.
Keep it up
Luv
Praveen
hi!!! Im so delighted to hear your story and i was wondering whether you are half-singaporean(before i read this post)..hehehe…… i have been living in singapore ard 2 years and im overseas student …. im 15 years old and currently studying in local secondary school… i have been studying here since sec 1 and now next year im sec 3.. i was wondering how you improved your english and writing composition??. . i have been trying to improve my english by taking tuition three times per week but i havent been able to improve it and still sucks at it.. im so impressed by your english and proper english dailect(since im overseas, my conversation english is not so clear).. im afriad that i might not able to promo to sec4 express later(next year im sec3 express)… so i hpoe that you will give me advices …….. pls.. reply me on this email add ichka1993@yahoo.com.sg and im gladly waiting for your reply……. even though i know that you are very busy, im sure that you will reply me… thanks and see ya!! btw, i really got into kpop esp-DBSK
Do you know how to speak Chinese?Is your Chinese good?I am also very impressed or your fluent Engils
Of your fluent English*.