open access
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ISSN : 1229-0688
This study utilized narrative inquiry to explore the cultural identities of two young adults born in China to North Korean defector mothers and Korean-Chinese fathers. It scrutinized the transformation of their identity narratives before and after their move to Korea, following their acquisition of Korean citizenship, and throughout their university education. The findings indicated that, while in China, both individuals identified ethnically as Korean-Chinese and nationally as Chinese due to parental and environmental influences. They showed similar cognitive and physical identity aspects, but varied emotionally. Upon acquiring Korean citizenship, one participant experienced an identity crisis but later considered themselves both Chinese and Korean. The other initially viewed their new nationality as a ‘prized item,’ yet ultimately felt ‘Korean on the surface, Chinese at heart.’ Neither participant formed any cultural identity related to North Korea. The study discussed the personal, practical, and social justifications for their cultural identity formation.
