"We have exotic pieces of South American handiwork, so they attract many customers in the street. But, whenever we have some customers, Korean stall keepers curse us and sometimes destroy our shop. When threatened by them, we move to other places," Christian complained.

Christian visited Korea five years ago for the first time. The original plan was to visit her sister living in Fukuoka, Japan but she couldn't enter Japan without visa. So, her destination changed to Korea; however this time she came back to Korea intentionally to make her Korean Dream come true.

After her father became an alcoholic, her life in Peru became miserable. Christian dropped out of the university because she couldn't pay the tuition. Although she went to work to support her family in daytime, she continued her education by attending a private IT institute at night. Whenever she was depressed by hardships, her mother gave her constant support. "You are a proud daughter of the Incas. You can change your future by your own efforts," her mother always said to her.

A picture of a young Korean man burning an American flag gave her first image of Korea. After seen this picture, she began to see Korea as a country of pride. Numerous factories in Incheon harbor gave her great sensation. "If Peru had as many factories, we would be rich," She said.

Christian is not an illegal immigrant yet and this gives her hope. "I want to come true my dream by only legal activity. Someday Korean people will understand my hard effort. I would sell beautiful cultures of South America while learning Korea's cutting edged technology," she continued.

She is living in a small rented room in Malli-dong. "I feel very lonely whenever I stay in my room alone. I miss my hometown in Peru very much."

(Kim Yoon-deok, sion@chosun.com )