When I go to Korea and someone asks where in the U.S. I live, I say I live in Kansas City, and the atmosphere always becomes a bit awkward. 

Some people light up when they hear about living in New York, LA, or Chicago, but when I say I live in Kansas City, their expressions become uncertain. Every time that happens, I chuckle to myself. It shows how little people know about Kansas City.

In fact, the city of Kansas City occupies a rather ambiguous position even among Americans. It's not quite a big city, yet it's too large to be called rural.

It plays a central role in the Midwest, but many people struggle to locate it on a map, and many still think it's in Kansas because of its name. "Oh, isn't that in Kansas?" This question is no longer surprising. When I say, "No, it's in Missouri," they nod, but their expressions still show they don't quite understand.

As a result, when I say I live in Kansas City, there's naturally a vibe of "Why do you live there?" that follows.

Even without words, it's all in their eyes. Cities like LA, New York, and Seattle automatically carry images of success and opportunity, but those words don't attach to Kansas City. So, when I say I live in Kansas City, I sometimes feel like I've stepped down a notch.

However, living here is entirely different. The more I live here, the clearer the advantages of Kansas City become. Housing prices, rent, and the cost of living are all much more stable compared to other big cities, and commuting is convenient without traffic jams. I rarely feel stressed driving around, and everything I need for daily life is available.

Still, among Koreans, the image of Kansas City is curiously low. Perhaps due to a culture that views America as a stage for success, there's a vibe that the bigger, more expensive, and more famous a city is, the better life is perceived to be. By that standard, Kansas City is ambiguous.

So, when I say I live here, I find myself adding explanations. "Life is really comfortable," "Housing prices are reasonable," "The city is bigger than you think"—these phrases come out automatically.

Ironically, many people living in such cities often report higher satisfaction with their quality of life, and I definitely feel that way too.

In big cities, you're always chasing time, money, and competition, but in Kansas City, that burden is much lighter. A short drive on the weekend leads to nature, and in the city center, there are constantly sports events, performances, great restaurants, and festivals. It may seem monotonous on the surface, but living here is far from boring.

Still, the strange atmosphere that comes with saying "I live in Kansas City" doesn't easily go away. This isn't just a city issue; it's a perception issue. It's a viewpoint that judges a person's life based on a city name, a feeling of a hierarchy structured around big cities. Sometimes, I feel like I've become an ambassador for Kansas City.

But living here has taught me that even if it doesn't seem glamorous to others, what matters more is that I feel comfortable and secure. Kansas City quietly plays its part as a city.

So nowadays, when someone reacts with, "You live in Kansas City?" I don't really care. I just smile and say, "It's better than you think once you live here."