Daily Busan
[My Busan Story] Busan is GOOD for living!
"My Busan Story" is a special series by Busan's English-language newspaper, inviting foreign residents to share their unique perspectives on life in the city. From unforgettable experiences and travel episodes to small everyday joys, these stories highlight the diverse voices that make Busan feel like home. This month, we introduce the story of Law Tin Man(Leanna) from Hong Kong
Busan is GOOD for living!
I am Leanna, from Hong Kong. After several years of long-distance relationship and experiencing separation due to COVID-19, I and my Korean husband finally got married and we came to live in Busan in October 2022. I adapted to life here faster than I thought. I think it is because I had lived in Seoul before, and my husband takes good care of me. Moreover, I think the Multicultural Family Support Center is a great help because it provides different kinds of support. As a married immigrant, I am able to attend not only free Korean language classes, but also various programs related to Korean culture and daily life, so I can get used to living in a short period of time without much difficulties. Besides, Busan is somewhat similar to Hong Kong. The scenery of Haeundae, Marine City, with its seaside and tall buildings, is similar to Hong Kong. There are mountains and the sea, so the living environment is very pleasant. Nevertheless, Busan is not as crowded or complicated as Hong Kong, so I think it is more livable than my hometown.
However, I sometimes get confused. I can understand Korean to some extent, but why do I have trouble understanding what the store owners are saying when I go to a traditional market to shop? I am sure you have had similar experiences. The reason is not because we do not know Korean, but because of the Busan dialect. My husband's family is from Daegu, so when the Busan dialect and the Daegu dialect appear at the same time, my head fills with question marks. Therefore, I even have a thought that “Should I take the challenge… learning Busan dialect and being a true Busan ajumma?”