Daughter proudly films dad's 'blue-collar job' years after stranger told son not to 'end up like him'

In a world of chasing high-paying white collar jobs, we often look down upon blue-collar roles, despite them being essential to everyday life. These people doing physical labor, building, repairing, and sustaining the world around us, are often undervalued or dismissed. As RedBalloon CEO Andrew Crapuchettes told New York Post, younger generations are increasingly reluctant to join these trades due to both a generational mindset passed down from baby boomers and the influence of social media, which glamorizes white-collar careers. Sarah Ahn, (@ahnestkitchen), whose father was also a blue-collar worker, grew up watching this dynamic unfold in real time.

She was just a child when she overheard a stranger demean her father’s work. She recalled, "My dad shared with my mom that a mom and son passed by him while he was working, "And the mom told the son, 'This is why you need to get an education, so you don’t end up like him.'" She said, "I can distinctly remember how heavy the silence felt. I felt confused because I didn’t understand what could be so wrong with my dad’s job." As an exterior painter, her father worked outdoors, sometimes in the heat, and Ahn didn’t know it then.

She continued, "In Korean culture, celebrating this profession is unheard of. And it’s unfortunately looked down upon to not have an office job." Even relatives who visited from Korea sometimes made comments that made her feel like their life in America "didn’t quite measure up." But as she grew older, her perspective shifted completely. "Now I think that people who work in blue-collar jobs deserve to be celebrated just as much as the next CEO or whatever prestigious title," she said, starting to see not just the value of the work, but the integrity and sacrifice behind it. "Because it’s these people who are the quiet backbone — everything functional, beautiful, and real in this world. Your worth isn’t measured by status or your title. It’s found in the way you show up for your family, your work, and your life," she said.

Sarah has made sure to honour her dad’s story in her own work. In her cookbook Umma, she wrote an essay titled "Once We Ran" dedicated to him, and his presence is felt throughout. "I am so proud to be the daughter of an exterior painter. And will always be," she said in the caption. Viewers were touched by Ahn's heartfelt appreciation of her father and his job. @thekoreanvegan wrote, "Those heavy silences, the ones we take into our hearts. You are a strong woman and your parents are a part of that strength." @jeanelleteves said, "This is a really beautiful tribute to your father and a peek into the complexities of growing up as a child of immigrants. Thank you for sharing these stories with us." @alicepark added, "In tears. Such beautiful words of a proud daughter. Thank you for sharing your family’s beautiful story, Umma." @charlottejcho said, "Quiet backbone. Love this story. He must be so proud of you."

You can follow Sarah Ahn (@ahnestkitchen) on Instagram to know more about her cookbook.