Korean Adoptees and Transnational Adoption: Embodiment and Emotion

This book explores the experiences of South Koreans adopted into Western families and the complexity of identity beyond official adoption files. It examines identity as an embodied process of making that which is unknown into something that can be meaningfully grasped and felt. It also analyzes the racial and cultural negotiations of whiteness and Korean-ness in the lives of adoptees and the blurriness that results in-between.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2019
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc

This captivating book delves into the profound and intricate experiences of South Koreans who have been adopted into Western families, shedding light on the complex tapestry of identity that extends beyond the confines of official adoption files. Through extensive ethnographic fieldwork in South Korea and in-depth interviews with adult Korean adoptees hailing from diverse countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Sweden, the author aims to delve beneath the surface of what is commonly known and explore identity as an embodied and dynamic process.

Drawing upon their own unique perspective as a transnational, transracial Korean adoptee, the author employs a personal lens to analyze the intricate racial and cultural negotiations that shape the lives of adoptees. They examine the blurred boundaries that arise between whiteness and Koreanness, highlighting the role of memory and the body in the formation of these identities. This book offers valuable insights to students and scholars of Korean Studies, Ethnicity Studies, Anthropology, as well as those interested in Asian culture and society at large.

The author's meticulous research and thoughtful analysis provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the complexities of transnational adoption, challenging preconceived notions and illuminating the diverse ways in which individuals navigate and shape their identities in the context of cross-cultural encounters. By exploring the experiences of South Korean adoptees, this book contributes to our broader understanding of identity, belonging, and the complexities of transnationalism, offering valuable insights into the lives of individuals who have traversed cultural boundaries.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815354628