Lydia Ko, the accomplished professional golfer born in South Korea and raised in New Zealand, recently shared her experience of losing her Kiwi accent after spending years competing and living in the United States. During a candid moment in a friendly match with fellow New Zealand golfer Taewook Koh, Ko revealed how her cultural identity has shifted, despite her deep connections to New Zealand.
Ko’s journey reflects the complex blend of cultural influences she has encountered, from her South Korean roots to her upbringing in New Zealand and her ongoing professional career in America. These changes are evident in her speech, which has gradually adapted to an American accent, raising questions about the balance between personal identity and professional life.
Reflecting on Changing Accents and Cultural Identity
In a lighthearted video posted by Taco Golf, Lydia Ko played a friendly round with Taewook Koh, a golf content creator and fellow New Zealander. The discussion quickly turned to Ko’s evolving accent, which Koh pointed out with gentle teasing.
You know what’s sad, though? Your New Zealand accent is gone.
—Taewook Koh, Professional Golfer
Ko laughed off the comment but admitted the truth behind it. She humorously recounted a recent trip to New Zealand with her husband, Chung Jun, where she noticed he had adopted a stronger Kiwi accent than she had.
I’m so American. Yeah, that’s so bad. You know, it was really funny. We went to New Zealand on our honeymoon, and my husband was starting to sound more Kiwi than me. I was like, What the hell is going on? I was like, Why do you sound like that?
—Lydia Ko, LPGA Professional Golfer
Chung Jun, originally from South Korea, adopting a Kiwi accent rather than the other way around highlights the cultural interplay present in their relationship. Ko moved to New Zealand at age six but relocated to Orlando, Florida at 15 to further her golf career, making the United States her primary residence for nearly a decade. This extended stay in America has influenced her speech, making the Kiwi accent less natural to her.
The video also captured a moment when the cameraman noted,
You just sound full American sometimes.
—Cameraman
To this, Ko responded quietly, I do. Yeah. I’m ashamed. The exchange underlines her complex feelings about losing a part of her cultural individuality. When asked to speak in a Kiwi accent for New Zealand fans, she confessed,
I can’t. I’m so embarrassed. I can’t, I can’t.
—Lydia Ko, LPGA Professional Golfer
Committed to New Zealand Despite Cultural Shifts
Although Lydia Ko has noticed the gradual loss of her accent and some aspects of her cultural identity, her commitment to New Zealand remains firm. She has consistently represented the country impressively on the international golf stage, including winning three Olympic medals with one of them being gold, proving her dedication beyond speech alone.
Her love for New Zealand is also demonstrated through her involvement in community campaigns, such as the effort to protect Takapuna Golf Course in Auckland. In July, plans by the Auckland Council to repurpose half of the golf course for flood storage sparked considerable public opposition. Over 10,000 locals signed petitions to save the course, but the issue gained renewed momentum when Ko publicly voiced her support for preserving this valuable community space.
Ko explained her passion for the cause, highlighting the role of the golf course as a place where people of all ages can learn and enjoy the sport.
Takapuna Golf Course is a wonderful place where friends and families can enjoy and learn golf together. As a golfer, I believe we must preserve this precious asset we are fortunate to have today, so that future generations can enjoy it as well.
—Lydia Ko, LPGA Professional Golfer
Having spent much of her youth in Auckland, Ko cherishes her memories at Takapuna and sees the preservation of the space as integral to the city’s sporting culture. Her advocacy helped shift discussions towards finding a solution that would avoid damaging the course while addressing the council’s flood concerns. This reflects her enduring bond with New Zealand even amid personal changes.
Balancing Personal Change with National Loyalty
Lydia Ko’s story captures the challenges faced by athletes who build careers far from their homelands, balancing cultural transformations alongside professional success. Despite her Americanized accent and lifestyle, Ko’s actions underline a profound loyalty to New Zealand’s people and communities.
The golfer’s support for initiatives like the Takapuna Golf Course campaign serves as a reminder that cultural identity extends beyond speech patterns, rooted also in values and commitments to one’s homeland. Ko’s active participation in local causes showcases her ongoing role as an ambassador for New Zealand, bridging the gap between personal change and national pride.
Ko’s experience also prompts reflection on the ways prolonged immersion in a different culture can reshape language and identity while maintaining emotional ties to one’s origins. As she continues competing on the world stage from her base in Orlando and representing New Zealand, her story highlights the evolving nature of cultural expression among global athletes.
With Lydia Ko’s career still progressing, it remains to be seen how she will reconcile her changed accent with her deep-rooted connections, but her recent actions suggest her bond with New Zealand will remain strong regardless of external transformations.