Decentered identity negotiation and dilemmas among Korean-Chinese immigrants in South Korea

Abstract

Drawing upon in-depth interviews with 58 Korean-Chinese immigrants in South Korea, this study examines how ethnic return migrants negotiate their ethnic and national identities after relocating to the ancestral homeland. Findings reveal that migrants’ identity negotiations reflect the ethno-racial contexts of both pre- and post-migration societies. Most participants have one of three identity orientations: ethnic-identity (Korean), national-identity (Chinese), and in-between. Those who are oriented exclusively toward either Chinese or Korean identity struggle to claim full belonging in the society with which they primarily identify. Furthermore, having an in-between orientation does not provide flexible identity options but only results in a sense of being unable to belong anywhere. Findings suggest that the ethnic return migrants’ perceived minority status in both home and host societies play a crucial role in shaping their identity negotiations.