‘정’ (Jeong) as a Means to Explore Character Positioning in Finding Junie Kim

• In Event: Reading Otherwise: Centering Shared Selves and Collective Knowing in Asian American Youth Adult Literature

Abstract

Purpose
This study explores how the Korean concept, jeong, is used as a literary lens to understand the multifaceted nature of human feelings, behaviors, and relationships as described in Finding Junie Kim (Oh, 2021).

Theoretical Framework
Jeong refers to “a Korean way of conceiving a complex constellation of relationality of the self with the other that is deeply associated with compassion, love, vulnerability, and acceptance of heterogeneity as essential to life” (Jo, 2006, p. xxi). Thus, Jeong describes layered emotional entanglement shared among people in varied relationships (Park, 2022). We examine the use of Jeong by exploring how characters position themselves and others during several different instances. Positioning theory considers how positions are fluid and how individuals position themselves and others in fictional words and real life (Enciso, 1998; van Langenhove & Harre, 1999). Discourses of difference, related to race, class, and gender invoke a need for an individual to seek commonality with others, evoking positioning that distinguishes difference from or belonging to one group over another (Carbaugh, 1999).

Data Sources and Analysis
Finding Junie Kim weaves Junie’s struggles as an ethnic minority adolescent with her grandparents' ‘unforgotten’ stories during the Korean War. The book addresses complex human relationships between friends, neighbors, and families across ideological divides. Following content analysis principles (Krippendorff, 2019), we first identified key events, descriptions, and interactions depicting layers of emotions, interactions, and relationships. Within chosen passages, we located instances of characters’ positionings embedded with Jeong and their impacts. We coded for characters’ insider/outsider positionality and emotional reactions when Jeong occurred while considering how it might align with their actions, emotions and reactions.

Findings
Extending beyond the idea of helping family, friends, and community, Jeong encompasses a collective responsibility to assist people in need and consider those in disadvantaged positions. During a retelling about the Korean War, Junie’s grandfather described how he went to the police station to challenge the unjust capture of a neighbor-friend. Despite being positioned as a young boy without power, his courage, fueled by Jeong, led him to adjust his positioning and stand up to armed adults. This paralleled Junie's experiences. She initially isolated herself from her peers to avoid dealing with racism toward marginalized groups. Junie encountered Jeong, when her multiethnic group of friends reached out, expressing their concerns and care. Realizing she wasn’t the only one in need, Junie offered Jeong to another classmate, supporting and encouraging this classmate to leave relationships that tacitly condone and support racist acts.
Jeong, enacted by herself and others, allowed her to (re)position herself within a supportive community, which helped her to overcome challenges and stand up against her adversaries.

Significance
This study provides insights into using the historically sedimented concept for future imagining. Deeply rooted in Korea’s historical complexities, Jeong offers unique ways to frame human experiences while helping the reader recognize rich culturally transmitted practices and knowledge ingrained within students’ communities.

Authors

• Monica S. Yoo, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs

• Kwangok Song, University of Kansas