12 People in 1 Apartment - Where I Grew Up & Why I Was Ashamed

12 People in 1 Apartment - Where I Grew Up & Why I Was Ashamed - Asian American Immigrant Story

Рет қаралды 23,972

Жыл бұрын

I've always wanted to share this part of my life but never thought I would be able to until now. SUBSCRIBE now for MORE Videos: goo.gl/tMnTmX
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About Me: I'm Kyle Le and these are the places I've been, the people I've met, the foods I've eaten, and the many things that I've seen...Originally from Southern California, I moved to Saigon, Vietnam after university and lived there for many years. Then, I traveled the world finding and documenting stories of Vietnamese people living outside of the homeland. Then I finished my master's at USC and now... well... you're going to have to follow and watch to find out!
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Пікірлер: 154

@georgepetrin1334 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video. You are one of many children in the U.S. who grew up in "tough" neighborhoods who went on to rise up above their surroundings. You and the others did so because your parents did not give up on themselves and their children and wanted a better lives for them. Your parents deserve more credit because they had to make it happen in a culture different from their own. My hats off to them and you. You are already 90% of the way there.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching.

@vce.john1734 Жыл бұрын

I was too but ended in a 3 bed 1 bath house now I’m about to work soon to get rental properties so I can be financially stable and just don’t care about buying stuff as much right now.

@sweatynachos1422 Жыл бұрын

When you said that you were embarrassed or ashamed to bring friends over when you were younger because you didn't live in a house, I felt that. I too experienced that as well. But at the end of the day, we just gotta be thankful for those times to appreciate what we have now and how far we've come!

@saylor22 Жыл бұрын

the raw emotion and sheer vulnerability in this just… wow. thank you for sharing with us, kyle.

@vlogswithleo8467 Жыл бұрын

I know the feeling Kyle I have the same feeling too because for the first 10 years or 11 years I lived in Santa Ana then my parents save enough money to buy a house in Hacienda Heights. Much love and respect you always my little brother//peace with you always KYLE//Leo From VN//hcmc

@alextrinh7708 Жыл бұрын

In my opinion, this is interesting story that should be made into a book. It's inspiring that you grew up in these sorts of neighborhoods and still came out on top.

@cynnguyen13 Жыл бұрын

This video has such a tight grip on my heart because your self-reflections are exactly how I feel whenever my mom gets the chance to visit me, and I always make sure I do something for my parents. Without their resilience when dealing with life struggles (from family conflict, to financial struggles) I could never find exposure and knowledge of the many industries that shape our world.

@aquaviii Жыл бұрын

Kyle you came a long way !!! On the path to greatness 😎👍

@paulh3347 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Kyle for sharing your humble background. No matter where we come from we are ready to be blessed. Keep doing what you do Kyle.

@anthonyanguyen Жыл бұрын

Thank you Kyle for sharing your story. Looking forward to your new adventures.

@readme7121 Жыл бұрын

I was also ashamed of my upbringing financially. But man, look at you now. You can talk to anyone and everyone. Confident. Keep up the faith.

@Marsha210 Жыл бұрын

Love your videos Kyle. We visited Vietnam recently and loved it so much. Wishing you all the best. Love from South Africa 🇿🇦

@deshr8541 Жыл бұрын

Something personal and something different. Great content Kyle. Enjoyed this little story👍👍👍

@J-J-TL Жыл бұрын

Thanks Kyle for the photos. Brought me back in the late 90s days.

@feliiiik 2 ай бұрын

im so glad i found your channel. i had a similar upbringing and your story about not bringing friends over because you were ashamed was exactly how i felt as a child. thank you for sharing!

@ramishrambarran3998 Жыл бұрын

You know Kyle, I always say " Good times do not last forever, nor do bad times". Make good use of your good times. Too, when times are bad, hold in there. They also will pass. I do understand how you felt then. Thankfully, children are very resilient. Thanks for the little insight. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

@aquaviii Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video Kyle 😃 good to see your upbringing and childhood memories both good and painful 😅

@vlogswithleo8467 Жыл бұрын

I can tell you had a good childhood for you to take us through your childhood memories. That’s wonderful I commend your parents for raising such a good kid.

@sunbun148 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing kyle

@jaykeen7163 Жыл бұрын

this video is it bro. You inspire me!

@kenn3899 Жыл бұрын

Nothing to be ashamed Kyle. You have to think you are lucky you’ve been through poverty, so you understand what the happiness like. I think you were better than me. I came here when I was 17, barely can’t speak English to looking for a job. The first job I had was a dishwasher helper at one Chinese restaurant. Within 3 days the owner let me bus the table but only for few hours he told me to go back to help the dishwasher and I found out later thru an interpreter because I just knocked my head or smiled when customers asked for something. The first five years I had to move around because no money to pay rent and I remember one time my friend and I don’t even have money to buy fish sauce so we mixed salt and water as replacement. My life was rough just inches to be living on the street. You are lucky as a child and you don’t have to worry about that. I’m sure your parents were struggling during that time, so you are right you should always appreciate your parents they had to sacrifice a lot for their children

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing your story.

@kenn3899 Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet NP I’m a fan who was living in Pulau Bidong and Galang Island in 81. Living with the memories through your videos

@user-ub8uc8gq7r Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet love you bro! God bless

@WingChunBoyz Жыл бұрын

Awesome story, thanks for sharing! 👍🏽

@InfinityPets Жыл бұрын

I don’t know why but I’ve always wondered about your upbringing, it nice to see you open up about it. But hey even when you say, you still have a long way to go look at you being a USC grad, and traveling the world! I don’t live in a nicest area (National City) I have been fortunate to be brought in this world in the 2000s. I honestly could not imagine growing up where I live now in the 90s/80s hearing all the crazy stories like the drive-bys that would happen at my highschool back in the day.

@princessmarjoleinb Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video Kyle!

@mr.seanster Жыл бұрын

Similar to your upbriniging, I went through similar experience in the early 90s. I think these experiences help shape our life. It makes us stronger and humble and more appreciative of what we have in lfie. It didn't feel so bad at the time to be honest. There were many happy memories. Sometimes we go through life and get lost and forgot about where we came from. Your video really helps bring back some of the old memories and old feelings I once had. Never forget where you came from. Our parents shape us and made us who we are. Now with two young boys, I always think how could I possibly help bring these types of experiences to them. It's not easy to simulate the difficult, tough childhood for them. I just hope sharing these kind of stories to my kids will help give them a sense of what we went through as kids. In a way we have an advantage going through a tough journey and make us stronger as an adult. Thanks Kyle for sharing. I hope to meet you and have a good chat with you some day. I'm also in SoCal.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for the comment.

@Mike_61610 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video Kyle. I’ve been going through a rough time these past few weeks and you reminded me that the tough times are temporary. Thanks for the encouraging words. Hope to see you back in Germany. I am in Stuttgart if you ever want to check it out.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Hey Mike. Thank you. I have actually been to Stuttgart, but never really filmed anything. I will definitely be back in the future.

@Mike_61610 Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet there is nothing special here besides the Mercedes binz museum. So it’s probably worth saving your video storage for something more exciting.

@Petertran16 Жыл бұрын

Good to do that, I'm so glad to watched it your video clip has bring back to me a lot of memorials as well, and you know what? All can tell your are so emotionally and you're a good person then have a great ❤️. You guys have a wonderful times.

@isainbautista9159 Жыл бұрын

Stay up homie your blessed. Ur stronger now. UPN 13 ❤️

@andytang04 Жыл бұрын

All of our families started out like this, it's always nice to look back and reflect

@xeemnpisyuslis2089 Жыл бұрын

Great story Kyle. Same thing with me in Seattle though.

@hhputube 2 ай бұрын

Your story hits deep, yes, I know exactly how you felt! Although our family were living in an apartment building, drugs, pissed smell, bullet holes, all too familiar and that's many childhood of many Vietnamese immigrant kids... in many countries not just America!

@HaiTran-eg2dz Жыл бұрын

Hi Kyle, thanks for sharing 🤓

@maximpestsolutions3696 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Kyle 😇. God 🙏 Bless ✝️💛.

@garymorrow9324 Жыл бұрын

Amazing story. I have several Viet friends...including my best lifetime bro. The stories they share make me cry. I look forward to going to VN this year. Your vids are inspirational.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing and have fun

@kynj17 Ай бұрын

I grew up in a similar situation. Immigrant parents. We also lived in a not so good neighbourhood. My parents and I lived in a single bedroom in a share house that had spiders and cockroaches with 7 other people. My parents struggled for the first 10 years of my life. They worked their butts off and to put me in a better situation and I'll always be very grateful. I remember us shopping for chicken legs, there was a deal, 1kg for $10 and that is what we ate every day every meal. My only treat were on wednesdays and sundays when McDonalds had a deal for cheeseburgers/hamburgers for 39 cents and 69 cents. It's tough and it's sad but it is our turn to make the best of the life they gave to us. We can appreciate hard work, we can appreciate where we are now. Let's go out and get it. Let's show our parents that because of their sacrifices, we were able to rise up and create a better future for ourselves and our future generations. It's really sad when I think about the past, but I'm proud. I'm proud of the strength and resilience that my parents showed. They didn't allow their situation to define who they are, and I'm so glad they also instilled that on to me.

@dennisbrooks6988 Жыл бұрын

You're a good guy and it's not where you come from its where you're going... and you're going places!

@VieTRaVeR Жыл бұрын

Word homie, from humble beginnings, hope you end up going to Japan. Peace..

@elizabethphillips1791 Жыл бұрын

Hi I do understand where you're coming and yes it does take time to heal as you take one day of your time you'll get stronger as you go on 🙏🙏🇭🇲

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@vincentnnyc Жыл бұрын

A lot of first generation Vietnamese immigrants can relate to this story. My family came to nyc when i was 9. Before we went to nyc, we were in Hong Kong in a refugee camp for a few years. Then stay in the Philippine for 6 months before coming to the states. We lived in the rough section of the Bronx in a 1 bedroom apt. with 5 ppl because that’s all we can afford. We moved out othe Bronx when i attended college. Now I’m married with 2 young kids and own a condo in a nice neighborhood in Brooklyn.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

@ellevee5345 Жыл бұрын

Humble beginnings ❤

@Cutie-Paw Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing one part of your childhood,you were living in not good environments and good things u are not gangster of that poor place 😜 look at u now very successful with career and good person , more important you don’t lose your root you speak Vietnamese so well now thumbs uppp ❤️❤️👍👍

@yvonnenguyen9329 9 ай бұрын

Thank You for sharing 🙏

@peterkelly1406 Жыл бұрын

My experience of life was the reverse to yours. The area where I came from in western Sydney , Australia was care free and sensational with lots of friends all playing in the street and just having fun. Now the area I came from has become dangerous. Gangs and drugs have come in and it is no longer safe. We used to fight with our fists now they use knives or at worst guns. I moved out over 40 years ago to the bush about 400 km south ... best thing we ever did. And so it goes ... Thanks for sharing ... it was very emotional for me also watching you relate

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

@jamessexton6 Жыл бұрын

thank you for sharing your story

@worldtran5511 Жыл бұрын

Thx for telling r story. As a boat people in America 1980 most of us in the same boat like you (your fimaly). For the first 5-7 years in America 90est% of my cloths come from the thrift store. Today most of the boat people are in good side of the living. Due to working hard and education.

@vce.john1734 8 ай бұрын

Yup same here even though Im 23 I still tell my mom get shorts and shirts for me at Ross mostly when I’m a multi millionaire no expensive clothes for me.

@ladygrays6387 Жыл бұрын

I’m from Westminster, what area was this? Growing up in OC in the 90s was tough, very nostalgic standing in your old neighborhood. I love this content.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks. This is near Trask and Harbor.

@gerberlee3170 Жыл бұрын

Look younger then the past years.. love your video brotha..

@damianmartinez7225 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your transparency. Very inspiring. Looks familiar, what city is this?

@datlam2903 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful documentary of Kyle

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thank you Dat.

@datlam2903 Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet go way back when we were at hongkong in Houston Texas

@sandiego22tnt Жыл бұрын

Thank you, Kyle. I hope to see you again at Lexus Westminster for car service!

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Lol, that was a one time thing, I can't afford their services...

@sleepyguy2011 Жыл бұрын

I think most of us came in the early years had to go through the same. We came a long way.

@aquaviii Жыл бұрын

10:54 Inspiration ! 💖

@larrytron1992 Жыл бұрын

That was a touching video. Viet Kieus came to other countries with nothing and never complained because they were laser focused on providing for their family I’d love for you to make a video about British Viet Kieus, my family and I have a lot of stories to tell

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

I would love that too. Maybe one day when I move to Europe.

@weebinside1502 Жыл бұрын

Man I can relate to the milk carton-thing my dad did the same 😳

@Banh__Bao Жыл бұрын

Great video Kyle. You look just like your Father.

@phuongvo3051 Жыл бұрын

We all went through a rough time , thx for sharing your childhood story , where was it ?it does looks like Oxnard ocean ?

@anthonydao3897 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for telling your story. As boat people i think most of us has been there and it is from this experience that made us more resilient.

@chubun6631 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, most of us were in the same boat. We gotta appreciate the opportunities available in this great land and the culture that we inherit from our parents.

@clippertalk Жыл бұрын

I lived in a similar place and had the same experiences

@hohunghau Жыл бұрын

Is that a Lexus you're driving? Nice!

@the92r Жыл бұрын

yep he drives an IS

@sousaechao5216 Жыл бұрын

I went through similar experiences.

@vce.john1734 Жыл бұрын

This reminds me I use to live in crime central neighborhood in Garden grove because last 15 year when my family and I first move it was peaceful once few years went by everything constantly take wrong turn it either shooting, people was shot dead, cops busting wanted criminals. I remember chilling with my neighbor friends and my sister too then shots were fired so we all ran inside to take cover because we don’t know if they were shooting blindly and could be hit us.

@user-mh9hb6sb1w Ай бұрын

Just got into your videos and watched this. Almost everyplace you were at is familiar to me. Have to say, everything you described, I wish I had it that good, really do. You were raised poor but by good parents doing their best, which is much better than poor not-good parents barely trying. At the same time I knew kids that had it worse than me. Saying this not to dimish your experiences, but to encourage you get over it and think more stoicly. There will always be people who wish they had it as good as you did, or as good as I did for that matter. Focus on your great parents and get over it. Just sayin'

@relaxingtube6632 Жыл бұрын

Kyle, the same here. My family has 9 people live in 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom apartment. We used to live in the ghetto. Back in the 80s and 90s, there were a lot of gangsters. I grew up in Boston. A lot of Vietnamese and Chinese gangs over there. My story is a little bit tougher than yours. My parents used to own a shop in Chinatown, that is where you saw gangsters standing in every corner of the street. They have tried many times to rob my parent little shop. Gangsters have killed each other in the restaurants near I used to help my parents. I kept hearing people got shot and died all the times. There was 1 time this guy hold the meat chopping knife and chased another guy on the street lol. My older brother's friend families were shot and executed at home. Long story man, however, life is only a test. Therefore, everyone goes through a different experience. It is all about your karma and your previous life karma, that's all. Peace

@phobowl Жыл бұрын

Hey bro I lived in a 2 bedroom apt w 9 people when we first came to the US. We all had to do what it took to survive. Now even when we’re successful we like being crammed in. When the fellas go to Vegas we like sharing 4-6 guys to a room otherwise we feel lonely 😂😂. Be proud of your past bro. It make you who you are today.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story.

@moniqueeebite Жыл бұрын

It's unfortunate how poor Vietnamese immigrants had to cope back in the day. :/ The system failed them, and those youth. I'm glad times are improving, and we're looking out for each other more in that area. I hope that you find peace in your heart to work through that trauma that place must have given you.

@andyfoto620 Жыл бұрын

Wow is this by trask street between harbor and fairview on Laurel st?

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Yes near Trask and Harbor

@vlogswithleo8467 Жыл бұрын

My first 11 yearso I grew up in Santa Anna off of Borchard Street//

@khangtruong4515 Жыл бұрын

Ur childhood stories similar to me except the drive by shooting parts. I think when I was five years old living in Waikiki Oahu Hawaii. I pick up condom thinking it's balloon 😆

@kelvinlam220 Жыл бұрын

thanks Kyle

@sebtan12 Жыл бұрын

Your life will get better and better because of good karma. Your helping many families reunited is one of the greatest deeds a person could do in his life. Thank you,.

@ChuaOiConDay Жыл бұрын

In the 1990s, most Vietnamese American like myself live in an apartment with people of eight or nine... Looking back, I didn't know how I made it through ... But there was no privacy.. kids nowadays have that privacy.. but our generation, we didn't have that.

@BrianMax Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your early years on your channel. It's more intimate than your travel to Vietnam videos. I also felt shame at school too, growing up poor. You've come a long way. You're very un-pretentious and you have more charisma than you realize. Never forget the sacrifices your parents made, and never stop being your genuine, lovable self.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. And yes, it's more intimate because it's more about me and the Viet experience rather than just my travels. Thanks for the comment too.

@bendover-uf9st Жыл бұрын

Hard life for first generation Asian immigrants. Just be thankful 🙏.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Apologies for the delay in video uploads, I was in Canada working on something! Thank you for hearing my story, please tell me your immigrant stories: And Here's my previous video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oZ2Dqdl7nbzSoWw.html And here's the next video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e76nlKd5nZaZoqM.html

@UrMothersLoverr Жыл бұрын

nice didn't know you were from orange county

@cafe21483 Жыл бұрын

I use to live in Orange County in a bad neighborhood just like that I got chase couple different time walking home from school gang banger is everywhere in CA back 1990.

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing and for watching.

@robotcarnivalxyz Жыл бұрын

Good man.

@khaitran8836 Жыл бұрын

Where do your parents live now? Have you made a video of them and your siblings showing what's going on with them today?

@remhk6672 Жыл бұрын

Oh lordy lord kyle... from about 6:30, that was disgusting, funny, and awkward.🤣🤣🤣

@sammiimartin Жыл бұрын

It’s the condom gloves for me 😂 thanks for showing us a glimpse of where you grew up. ❤

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Spends 6 days with me and suddenly starts watching my videos? HMMMMM? HAHAHAHA

@sammiimartin Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet we’re eating dinner needed back ground noise. You simply posted at the perfect time!

@herewego9939 Жыл бұрын

@@sammiimartin backhanded compliment lol

@sammiimartin Жыл бұрын

It’s all family joking around type of love for Kyle

@elevenbravo9742 Жыл бұрын

Don’t be ashamed of your childhood Kyle.

@vincentnnyc Жыл бұрын

What neighborhood is this in cali?

@VietBuffet Жыл бұрын

Wow, you were a cute little boy... our first generation here was mostly poor, not much money, lack of English, but we worked hard ...

@TomSGao 8 ай бұрын

That’s clearly Rosemead around the 10 fwy

@kennynguyen951 Жыл бұрын

@5:15 The girl followed you everywhere. She went to Greece with you, followed you back to Vietnam, even came to USA to see you and you still tell people she's your friend Kyle?

@skygrey7237 Жыл бұрын

Man. You had it good. Compared to a lot of us. Or you could have been stuck in Vietnam.

@d15z1sux Жыл бұрын

The old woman is savage 😂

@MsNam86 Жыл бұрын

Doesn’t seem too bad compare to what could happen if u still live in Vietnam (except the gun shot part)

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Well, in Vietnam, my cousins were poor but they didn’t have to worry about crime, racial discrimination, and struggles of living in another culture.

@MsNam86 Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet that's right!

@danvidz Жыл бұрын

@@kyleledotnet Well I guess one would trade that for the right to have fundamental human rights, like freedom of speech, movement, and press? Or steal your land/assets while they imprison you. ?

@lIlIlIlIlIIIlIllIIllIII Жыл бұрын

@@danvidz Yes, but either is far more preferable to living in a stateless society where violence, abuse, and death is the norm, right?

@danvidz Жыл бұрын

@@lIlIlIlIlIIIlIllIIllIII ummm.. I think you're missing the point here. I guess all I'm saying is, one would prefer to be in control of their own life rather than being dictate by someone else. But then again who knows, to each his/her own, I guess.

@Pixlanta Жыл бұрын

❤

@xdgs567z Жыл бұрын

“I just stepped on poop and I came from here” 😂😂😂

@dorf213 Жыл бұрын

Is this Santa Ana?

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Garden Grove

@noflexzone6170 Жыл бұрын

Here’s a tip. Handsome people rarely wear baseball hats. Show off you’re not bald and full head of hair. Your dad was handsome from photos and he didn’t wear hats 🥱

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

The hat is what keeps me young, protecting my face from the sun. I have worn it less and less in real life, but for video purposes, it's just easier to put it on and not have to worry about my hair when there's 20 other things to worry about when shooting.

@ChuaOiConDay Жыл бұрын

So is she staying with you now ?

@AshTrizey Жыл бұрын

Long Beach

@kyleledotnet Жыл бұрын

Yup, at the end...

@aquaviii Жыл бұрын

LBC

@firstnamelastname9661 Жыл бұрын

Don't worry man. Everyone has a humble past. It matters most where we came from then where we become Now an din the Future !!!! Keep up the good job man