Between Citizenship and Race: Ethical Reflections on ‘Black-Haired Foreigners’ and the Transnational Marginalization of Korean Americans

This paper reflects on the ethical implications of the term ‘black-haired foreigner (BHF)’ in contemporary South Korean discourse. Drawing on recent media narratives, the term is most often applied to Korean Americans in relation to perceived economic privilege and avoidance of national obligations. Its broader circulation raises concerns about generalization and stigma. This article argues that BHF functions as a moralized and racialized label that shapes perceptions of belonging and responsibility across borders. In doing so, it reflects transnational forms of marginalization influenced by nationalism, Asianization, and postcolonial hierarchies.