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Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of experiences with Korean culture during ado-lescence on the learners’ identity formation process and their motivation to continue learning the Korean language. Methods The participants in the study were men and women in their mid-20s to mid-30s who, during their ado-lescence, encountered the Korean Wave through various media sources. Additionally, they have been learning Korean for over 10 years, and have an advanced level of proficiency. Their nationalities include France, Taiwan, Vietnam, and India, and they are also currently engaged in industries related to Korea. The research, conducted through narrative inquiry with intensive interviews conducted from February 2023 to early January 2024. Results As a result of exploring the identity formation and transformation process of the research participants dis-played in their sustained motivation to learn the Korean language and their Korean language-learning process, it was found that the participants received exposure to the Korean language and culture prior to adolescence, con-sidered majoring in the Korean language when contemplating their career paths during adolescence, actively sought out interactions with Koreans following matriculation, then established themselves as professionals with expertise in the Korean language and culture. It was evident that the research participants were able to broaden their identity as consumers of the Korean Wave to learners of the Korean language and culture, then eventually to individual members of society with expertise in the Korean language and culture. Conclusions It was found that positive cross-cultural experiences during adolescence helped learners establish their identities and played a decisive role in the learners' career choices.
Young Mi Cho (Mon,) studied this question.