Jiwoo Annabel Kim
Phillips Academy
Abstract
This study investigates the distinct identity and mental health challenges of multicultural youth in South Korea, where ethnic homogeneity has defined national belonging. Although these adolescents are legally recognized as Korean, everyday encounters of exclusion complicate their sense of identity and safety. Drawing on existing scholarship and original survey data, this paper establishes and analyzes the youths’ experiences within the broader social and institutional structures that shape their belonging.
