Shaping, Masking, and Unmasking of a Stigmatized Identity: The Case of Japan-Residing Koreans

Through a case-study approach, this study explores Japan-residing Koreans' identity management and its underlying dynamics from the privacy boundary management perspective. The “closetability” of Koreanness and the role of self-efficacy/agency are highlighted. Analysis of two autobiographical essays suggested that (a) ethnic minority identity is constructed upon the notion of “otherness,” which leads individuals to passing; (b) passing is emotionally consequential and potentially fatal; (c) enacting Koreanness involves not only psychological dissonance but enhanced perceptions of coping-efficacy; and (d) management of stigmatized identities is an ever-ongoing process. Other findings and limitations, as well as directions for future research, are also discussed.