Diversity and multiculturalism are broad topics that are only just starting to gain conversation in South Korea. There have been many news stories and controversies, over the years, with Korean idols sampling the various arts of other cultures, most popularly the hip-hop style derived from the African-American roots in the Western world. But should all Koreans really be put to blame when education and general knowledge of other cultures have not been popularized yet? Luckily, there are many people like French-Korean actor, Julien Kang, and Korean-American singer, Park Joonhyung, in the entertainment industry who share their stories and explain their backgrounds to clear up misunderstandings Koreans have about foreigners, as well as to educate and promote a healthy multicultural lifestyle.

A Brief Look at History

Until the end of the 20th century, Korea had always been an ethnically homogenous society, the population sharing a common culture and isolating themselves from other countries. The country has a long history, its art being a prominent staple in the country’s pride. Music, art, drama, literature, food, architecture, and clothing are revered by not only Koreans but by international people as well. For a long time, Korea had rejected the idea of immigration, preferring to keep to themselves with similar physical appearances and deep historical roots. However, several problems affected the population, and the demand for foreigners introduced the first step towards multiculturalism in South Korea. With the majority of Korean children in schools and universities, there were very few who were willing to work in rural areas of the country, doing farming and other manual labour. So Korean bosses sought migrant workers who were easy to control and were cheap labor. Education also had an impact on women, who left their homes for higher education or job opportunities. The men, therefore, settled with women who came abroad, usually those from developing Asian countries. Korea is also known for its aging population, mostly due to the fact they have a low-fertility rate. With the influx of foreigners who immigrated to Korea, the country took on its role as a multicultural society. Laws and policies were created for those who wanted to live in South Korea, and systems were developed for foreigners to become accustomed to the Korean culture, with language classes and cultural programs. As of 2014, approximately 1.57 million foreigners reside in Korea, which is about three percent of the population. 

It’s been around 25 years since foreigners began coming to Korea, yet there is still a lot to say about the tolerance Korea has for people of other races and cultures. Koreans tend to judge and stereotype those who do not speak Korean, look Korean, or act Korean, and difficulties arose with the foreign population trying to mix in with the strong, traditional Korean population. Barriers needed to be broken for Korea to be recognized on an international level as a multicultural society, and entertainment is the most popular route to go. As K-Pop and K-Dramas started to grow in popularity around the world, foreign-born and mixed race Korean idols also managed to have proficient careers in the entertainment business and use their fame to promote diversity in the process.

Influence of Media on Multiculturalism

Hello Counsellor

KBS World’s reality show, Hello Counselor, is gaining popularity and reputation for guests being able to talk freely about the people living in South Korea. The show features guest stars and idols who talk and debate with the regular hosts about the stories and worries of those living in Korea. Special episodes that feature foreigners’ worries help ease the cultural barriers and stereotypes the audience and people online may have had on these individuals. Discussions on skin color, body weight, language barriers, cultures, and communication differences are explored and bring into account Koreans’ views on these issues. One episode even featured a story about an Uzbekistani woman living in Korea. Her story titled “Do I have to take it off?” talks about the discrimination she receives from Koreans for wearing the hijab. Her wish for Koreans to be more open and welcoming to multicultural families is well-received on television and the video uploaded on KBS World TV YouTube channel has well over a million views. The appearance of a Muslim woman on Hello Counselor is sure to be a gateway for many other people of different backgrounds to feel more at ease about living in Korea and will also help Koreans understand her situation and no longer discriminate against foreigners.

Globalization and the accessibility of social media have transformed the landscape and introduced diversity discourse to popular culture in South Korea. The exact percentage of ethnic Koreans is in the high-90s, so as foreigners are a minority, the discourse hasn’t gained much ground. Still, the treatment of foreigners, especially those with mixed Korean heritage, continues to be a hot topic.

At the height of the Korean and black singer Insooni’s popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, she was the only mixed-heritage Korean in popular media. Yoon Mirae (Tasha) had a similar experience in the 1990s, being arguably the only mixed-heritage R&B singer in Korea at the time. Her song “검은 행복 (Black Happiness)” deals with the raw pain and history of being half-black and half-Korean in a homogenous society. Even though many Koreans had seen foreigners on television and in Western media, it still wasn’t and isn’t that normal to encounter them on a day-to-day basis, especially for Koreans living outside of Seoul.

Since the 1990s, relations have changed and Korea’s treatment of foreigners has been pushed to the forefront. During Lee Michelle’s appearance on season one of SBS Entertainment’s K-Pop Star, producer and singer Park Jinyoung (JYP) noted that if not for her appearance and the prejudice the general public has against foreigners, she would have gone farther in the competition (Lee Michelle is of black and Korean heritage). He said: “I wonder if there’s any other country than Korea that’s so close-minded and oppressed in that manner. And I would like to applaud Lee Michelle for overcoming all the barriers and showing a new possibility with her performance today.” Like Tasha, her debut song “Without You” talks about the struggles she faced growing up bi-racial in South Korea.

Similarly, Korean-Nigerian model, Han Hyunmin, was interviewed by The Korea Times, recalling a story of when he wasn’t chosen to work with a particular designer because the designer didn’t like black people. Still, Han is considered one of Korea’s top rising male models. The same can be said for Ghanaian expat, Sam Okyere, whose fluency in Korean and spot on Non-Summit earned him widespread popularity. Though looked upon favorably, Okyere was not immune to ignorance and preconceptions, as referenced in his appearance on talk show As You Say.

Like all things, the change in mindsets and preconceptions surrounding foreigners, whether Korean or not, will take time; however, as shown by a renewed willingness to talk about diversity, the change is happening slowly but surely. As the discourse continues, more avenues will open up for education and understanding, which in turn can only better relations between communities.