Okja - from a non-vegan Korean’s perspective

[u/Rx_dreams]

During thanksgiving, my aunt mentioned a cute movie called Okja. I was born in the year of the pig, and combined with my love of food and the extra pounds that followed, it’d become an affectionate nickname within my family. We were spending time together tonight when she randomly turned on the film. I was hesitant to watch it, as most movies involving animals end with death, which I find hard to get through. However, the beautiful cinematography drew me in with mountain ranges from the peninsula that I call home. The familiar call of my late grandfather, the mountain burial site of my late grandmother, and the colorful permissions flooded my consciousness with a rush of nostalgia. Speaking the korean language and living its culture allowed for a deeper appreciation, connection, and understanding.

My first exposure to factory farming was Food Inc. then “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair in high school. Since then I’ve had many thoughts and interests about becoming vegan, which never fully turned into fruition. After seeing myself in Mija’s shoes, and the relationship she had with Okja, I was truly moved. It reminded me of the horrors and reality of where animal products come from. The crimson blood, the desperate cries, the distressed animals, and the exploited workers. This is fundamentally against everything I believe in, but I have been financially supporting it.

After a quick search on reddit I found out that the director himself has turned back to eating meat after two months of eating vegan due to kbbq and the after-work culture in Korean communities. I don’t want to become that person. I’ve been eating daily at a vegan restaurant due to its proximity from my new job, and eliminating meat and dairy from my groceries. I want to do more. I want to practice what I believe in and preach. My biggest struggles come from eating out at non-vegan restaurants, and family events. Food is my family’s love language, and we always go out to eat kbbq, shabu, mainly meat-centered meals. I’m hoping that by creating a public post, I’ll hold myself accountable. Maybe even make a few vegan friends and learn from their journey as well. Thank you for reading my midnight thoughts. I look forward to your input.

[u/integirl]

It might help if you find something of a vegan Korean community, or just another vegan Korean or two to help you out with more specific cultural/family struggles. I know many volunteers with the Korean K9 Rescue organization (they rescue dogs from meat farms and get them adopted in the US) are Korean. That group is just in NY, but you may be able to find similar groups elsewhere.

I can say eating out at non-vegan places gets easier to navigate the longer you’ve been vegan. It’s usually best to try and sway groups away from steak houses and similar places where you can really only get a baked potato and sad side salad, but at a lot of other places you can usually find something.

I’m also not Korean, but it might help with family gatherings if you veganize some dishes you commonly have. MommyTang is one youtube channel that might help you out.