Foreigners in Korea Foreigners in Korea Over the past few decades, especially since the onset of the Hallyu Wave, the Republic’s primarily homogeneous ethnic landscape has seen a slight shift with the influx of migrant workers, extended-stay tourists, and immigrants. This has contributed to a small but growing percentage of minority individuals within the nation navigating life’s challenges in an intricate culture far different than their own. As of 2019, the number of foreigners in South Korea has topped upwards of two million individuals {about 4% of the nation’s population}. Although 60% of foreign residents live in around the Seoul Metropolitan Area, the number of those relocating outside of Gyeonggi Province is steadily growing. As a global leader in the entertainment, technology, and manufacturing sectors, the region is highly attractive for foreign industry workers, content creators, teachers, and spouses. The accompanying video, 2020, “My Neighbor, Charles” features a Korean man and his Thai wife, who moved to the peninsula after getting married. Beginning in 2015, the show is centered around foreigners who have left their home country for various personal reasons and follows them as they survive in Korean society. A Homogenous Nation? Traditionally, the Korean Peninsula has been an ethnically homogenous region. Even after the separation of the North and South Korea, many individuals in South Korea pride themselves on maintaining “pure” familial lineage. Much of this sentiment is shifting, however, greatly due in part to the critically low birthrates suffered in the recent decade. Deciphering & Defining Although school children around the globe are exposed from an early age to the concept of “homogenous” cultures, can this concept truthfully be applied to South Korea? This article details some of the pitfalls in classifying the country as such, and why such labels may be making it harder to integrate newcomers into society. 한글 기사 (click) Wongok Multicultural Village In efforts to attract foreign workers to the country in response to the low birth rates, the government created a special zone in Ansan-si in 2009, about an hour outside of Seoul. Wongok-dong has since been designated as the first multicultural village in the area. Residents and workers of Wongok-dong promote diversity in local schools, festivals, and the microcosm of restaurants, shops, and museums on “Multicultural Street”. Incentivizing Immigration According to a 2015 study, if birth rates remained as low as the measured level 8.6 babies per 1,000 Koreans, South Koreans could be “extinct” by the year 2750. Another solution to this worrisome statistic included providing scholarships to foreign individuals with an agreement to work within the country after fulfilling degree requirements. The following video features Sam Okyere, arguably the “most famous Black man in Korea”, and his journey to living thousands of miles away from his home country of Ghana. Native Reactions Of course, higher levels of inbound immigration can help stimulate any economy or diversify a culture, but these changes are met differently in various nations around the globe. The native population’s reaction to immigrants is often a major consideration that governments tend to take into account when determining new policy, but what is the general Korean reaction to the influx of new residents? North Korean Refugees One of the most complicated and multifaceted immigration issues facing South Korea is that of North Korean defectors. Although ethnically the same, tensions among the two nations have been high for nearly a century. In order to accommodate the unofficial refugees, the South’s government facilitates an adjustment program aimed to help naturally transition the escapees into modern society. Some say that the provisions are not nearly up to standard, and with increased hostility between the two nations, defectors have often felt this sentiment translate into their daily experiences. The following video shows an interview with North Korean defectors and their struggles acclimating to a new life in the South. Ethnic Replacement? North Korean defectors are one particular group of “international” migrants to increasingly take up residence in South Korea, but what about individuals of varying ethnic backgrounds? Following the arrival of several hundred Yemeni refugees to Jeju Island in the summer of 2018, a series of anti-refugee protests and petitions came about. Although attitudes are gradually becoming more progressive, the following video summarizes the general civilian concern surrounding refugees and migrant workers, citing cultural differences and increased costs as undesirable side-effects of population growth. Concerns Over Job Security In recent years, news cycles around the world have featured how the highly competitive job market in South Korea, particularly for those college educated citizens, has contributed to severe anxiety and increased rates of suicide. According to a 2017 profile report from the Migration Policy Institute, a greater number of Korean nationals live abroad than there are international migrants residing in Korea. This fact, however, does not seem to completely deter the belief that temporary workers and permanent residents are “taking” jobs from domestic workers in sectors such as manufacturing and service industries. 외국인 노동자 지원 센터 (click). MBC NEWS 외국인 고용자 (click) Foreigners in Television As much of the world is captivated by the allure of Korean trends brought about with the Hallyu Wave, one of the easiest methods of cultural dissemination is through Television networking. Over the past decade, many popular shows have incorporated foreigners as means of providing exposure to the native population, while also giving representation to newcomers to the country and fans on a global scale. However, not everyone feels that this trend is in the best interest of viewers, as demonstrated in this article (click) and this study (click). The following examples are just a few of the most popular TV programming showcasing foreigners to date. Welcome, First Time in Korea? 어서와 한국은 처음이지 is a travel focused television show that is fairly new, but has garnered a lot of attention quickly. Each episode features a foreigner living in Korea who invites three people from their home country to visit South Korea for the first time. The guests typically spend a few days alone before reuniting with the host for a special tour. Seoul Mate Although only a few seasons, 서울메이트 had quite a following within the country and among a global audience while it aired. For the show, non-Koreans who were interested in visiting applied for the exchange program. If selected, they were able to stay with a celebrity host for a few days and experience their lifestyle. Return of Superman Over the years, 슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다 has skyrocketed into abundant popularity for nearly a decade. While not necessarily a foreigner-centric show, the premise is to showcase celebrity father’s taking care of their children alone {or sometimes with the help of other cast members}. Sam Hammington, hailing from Australia, and his family have become one of the most loved staple cast since their debut in 2016. Spotlights So, it has become highly evident that the native reaction to increased foreigner presence in South Korea is a mixed bag, dependent on numerous factors and proximity. Although society is becoming generally more progressive and accepting, it is difficult to gauge the nuances of life in Korea from an outsider’s perspective. The following videos provide a bit of insight into the daily lives of some foreign residents, and how they adapt to a new lifestyle. Interracial Family Earlier, it was acknowledged that foreign spouses taking residence in Korea has become more commonplace than in previous decades. With this, interracial families have been learning to navigate in society amid stigma. Videos like the following show their audience how they live a happy and productive life despite the odds. African Student On the popular reality show “Hello Counselor”, a number of hosts invite people with varying stories to discuss pressing matters in their lives. In this episode, a Nigerian graduate student discusses the poor public appearance people have of those of African descent, and how it impacts every aspect of his life; from dating to shopping. Internet Influencer Although certainly not the “typical” immigrant experience if there is to be a definition, internet influencers, bloggers, and YouTubers have become a major source of cultural translation about life in Korea. Among a plethora of popular vloggers currently sharing their day-to-day lives, the following video is an example of what these videos usually showcase; food and travel. In any context, immigration is a multi-faceted matter that affects the lives of both the native population as well as those relocating to said country. In South Korea, the recent influx of foreigners within the nation has catalyzed a new era of coexistence. As we have explored throughout this chapter, the effects that increased inbound immigration has had on the economy, cultural landscape, and society at large are numerous and still being explored. From a local perspective, the presence of “outsiders” jeopardizes the native heritage and traditional Korean values. This also impacts the perceived availability of work opportunities in an already competitive job market. Lack of knowledge about other cultures may also lead to unsatisfactory experiences on behalf of the new residents, who often times may face discrimination due to their differences. On the other hand, ignorance may not always be a bad thing. As Korean society becomes more progressive and begins to recognize changing values and alternate lifestyle adaptations, it is possible that curiosity about foreign individuals may speed up the process of assimilation for their new neighbors. Even various marketing agencies in the ROK have enlisted the help of foreigners to promote the Korean image and bolster tourism. Acceptance of the aforementioned individuals has already been seen to help bolster the low birth rate, and global fascination with the Hallyu Wave will ensure continued cultural transmission for decades to come.