What's in a Name?
My Chinese, specifically Cantonese, name is 鍾茹金 (鍾[jung1]茹[yu4]金[gam1]). It’s translated from Vietnamese, Chung Như Kim, because my mom, who is Vietnamese, did most of the thinking. If my dad had it his way, my name would have been Chau Heung (秋月 or “autumn fragrance”), inspired by the beautiful maid that scholar Tong Pak Foo courts in Flirting Scholar.
My mom was very thoughtful about picking my name because she wanted it to translate across Vietnamese, Cantonese, and English. As someone who has recently immigrated to the U.S. and was learning English, she quickly learned that her foreign name was very hard for her teachers and peers to pronounce. Therefore, she kept my name short and simple. Như Kim means “like gold” - my mom tells me that I am very precious and dear to her as gold is a precious metal. My last name Chung, inherited from my dad, is associated with fidelity and togetherness.
When I was little, I LOVED Twinkies. My dad would make fun of me and say that I had eaten so many that I was becoming like one-"yellow on the outside, white on the inside." Although my exterior features reflected my Asian heritage, mentally, I craved to assimilate with my American peers. I spent years of my pre-college education denying fuzzy pork floss sandwiches and worm-like lo mein noodles for lunch, only to grow up and realize that my cuisine has suddenly become sensationalized and trendy. Yes, this is my "lunchbox moment."
As a Chinese Vietnamese American, I’ve always neglected a part of my identity. For most of my childhood, I wanted to be American. It wasn’t until college that I reclaimed my Vietnamese identity through the local Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). And now, through participating in Miss Chinese Chicago, I’ll have the opportunity to delve into my Chinese roots, engage in community projects, meet other extraordinary ladies, and expand my horizons. I’m excited to find a sense of belonging and truly accept my whole identity. I hope you’ll join me on my journey!
My name is Kim Chung and by day, I design products for the health and wellness industry. By night, I strength train to grow massive quads. I’m currently a UX Designer at Daxko, and when I’m not behind a computer screen, you can probably find me hogging a squat rack at the gym, playing Stardew Valley, or baking macarons.