Asian Identity in Motion: A Case Study of Korea-based Asian Music Ensemble

• In Event: Korea in Motion: Shifting Sounds and Cultural Identifications in Transnational, Multiethnic Korea

Abstract

Today, human migration from the Asian countries surrounding Korea to Korea can be observed in the music’s cultural sphere of Korea. Through this movement, new musical ensembles emerge and form part of Asian multicultural communities within Korea. In doing so, the members of a group often show a change in their view on Asian value. This paper intends to explore how Asian multicultural ensembles construct Asian identities, looking at their migration to Korea. To this end, it employs a new approach that divides the space of migration into two: imagined and physical. When migrating, immigrants traverse these two spaces. Asian music ensemble, AME, consists of young musicians from Korea and others from Vietnam and Mongolia, who play their traditional instruments. The line-up was enabled because the non-Korean members had worked together in many concerts within the frame of Asian multiculturalism, and they had been fellow students with the Koreans. Their experience was particularly significant in allowing the group to move toward something Asian rather than merely Korean, Mongolian or Vietnamese. When migrating to Korea, the non-Korean members had different-but-optimistic expectations within their imagined space. Fundamental to these expectations were 'regionally flexible affectivity' embracing the national level. Differences in their expectations were reconciled within their agreed musical roles leading to a collaboration. Individual musicians were actively involved in musical exchanges. Against this background, Asian identity has gradually been shared amongst all members. This paper argues that this common identity ultimately grew from 'regionally flexible affectivity.'

Author

• Hyunseok Kwon, Hanyang University