Korean-Americans in Transition - Decade of Rationality, Plurality, Economic Growth, and Korean Wave -

Abstract

This article explores the radical changes that South Korea have gone through in the last decade, and how these changes, in turn, have influenced and reshaped Korean American communities in the United States of America, especially within Korean-American immigrant churches and their views, and understanding of the new generations. It examines what is needed within Korean American immigrant communities and their churches in three-fold dimensions. First in the philosophical aspect, the emphasis of rationality and postmodern plurality becomes evident and challenges irrationally-enforced Christian belief in the traditional immigrant churches. New generations educated by critical rationality and pluralistic inclusiveness will not honor the current exclusiveness. Second, the transitions of the Korea’s rapid economic developments and the upgraded economic status of Korean-American immigrants challenge the ultimate goal and meaning of people’s spiritual life. The traditional and typical message of church focusing on individual survival and prosperity needs to be transformed with the message of community service and responsibility. Third, the cultural transition of the Korean wave, called Hallyu, unexpectedly but powerfully changed the Korean-American identity, especially the view their own Korean heritage. Postmodern anti-authoritarianism requires that the traditional single, authoritative, and top-down leadership paradigm needs to be transformed into mutual, inclusive, and communal leadership. The new paradigm of digital communication accelerates and actualizes these transitions into the physical lives of Korean-Americans. The churches are required to be contextually relevant to and responsible for these powerful transitions and to claim the meaning and mission of its existence for the Korean-American immigrant community.