The Social Distance between Two Different Groups of Ethnic Koreans in the United States

• In Event: 4365 - Asians and Asian Americans

Abstract

This study illustrates the ethnic in-group dynamics between Korean Chinese (Joseonjok) and Korean immigrants living in the United States. In particular, this study highlights perceptions of Korean Chinese by Korean immigrants from South Korea. By content analyzing anonymous online posts and comments from two popular Korean-language websites in the U.S. (MissyUSA.com and HeyKoreans.com), it captures two distinctive discourses formed by Korean immigrants regarding Korean Chinese. On one hand, some Korean immigrants actively distance themselves from Korean Chinese by stressing subgroup differences in terms of language, identity, and mindset. They refuse to see Korean Chinese as “real” Koreans, and thus, they do not perceive them as being their equals. On the other hand, other Korean immigrants emphasize similarities they find between Korean and Korean Chinese immigrants and express sympathy and solidarity. It is noteworthy that a recurring discourse among these positive perspectives was the emphasis placed on their shared marginalized social status in the U.S. society, which may contribute to blurring the boundary between the two groups of Koreans, and ultimately expand the scope of “Koreanness” among ethnic Koreans abroad.

Author

• Sejung Sage Yim, City University of New York-The Graduate Center