I was also implicitly supposed to be a good assistant to her for domestic labours.
Umm, it was when I was 14 yrs old, and my little brother was 13. My parents were working during the daytime, so simple cooking and washing dishes were all of our shares. One day she left an empty large bowl in the sink before she went out for work. She asked me to wash it while she's not at home. I went to the sink for washing (it was like 14-15ish pm). But then I found there were many more dishes to be cleaned since we had meals after school. I suddenly found me doing this alone so unfair, despite I was accustomed to it. Although I could have just done it as I used to do, I asked my brother to wash them (for the first time). He said he couldn't. I asked him why he couldn't. Then again he said he just couldn't, because he had never tried. My brain went into a cold because I was honestly shocked that could be a reason that he couldn't. Eventually, I washed all dishes except for the big bowl. Perhaps it was like my last self-respect, leaving at least one thing undone. When my mom came back home she asked me why I didn't wash the bowl. I sincerely asked her : 'why does it have to be me who's washing dishes and pushing a button of a laundry machine?' She was speechless. She silently wore rubber gloves to complete the job.
(From Living as the eldest girl in Korea)
when I was 12 years old and my brother was 11, both of my parents worked. So, I prepared a meal for me and my brother and washed the dishes. It was normal in my family.
(From Episodes as a k-eldest girl K-eldest girls by Nami)
Even so, I had to prepare my brother’s dinner, while parents were away. Especially when I was little, I made ramen or fried eggs… now, I make him cook haha. I should care for my little brother, while I was little too. I felt uncomfortable when my brother still didn’t know how to cook, when he grew up…
(From Episodes as a k-eldest girl K-eldest girls by Ollo)
I couldn’t help doing housework again and again. I think, most of K-eldest girls have similar experiences.
(From Episodes as a k-eldest girl K-eldest girls by Seungjin)
