Korean transnational poetry and the negotiation of identity: Korean, English, and Konglish

Aims and objectives: This study investigates the relationships between language, power, and cultural identity in the poetry of Korean and Korean American authors Don Mee Choi, Cathy Park Hong, and Emily Jungmin Yoon. It seeks to understand how these poets use linguistic hybridity to challenge dominant cultural narratives, reflect personal and collective trauma, and negotiate transnational identities within the Korean diaspora. Methodology: The research employs an analysis of selected works from Choi, Hong, and Yoon. Through a close reading approach, the paper examines how these poets deploy multilingual and translingual techniques to convey complex experiences of identity, belonging, and resistance. Data and analysis: Data were drawn from key poems that feature prominent use of code-switching, neologisms, and cultural references. The analysis focuses on how these linguistic strategies serve to disrupt conventional forms and highlight the poets’ negotiation of their identities through Korean, Konglish, and English. Conclusions: The study finds that each of the poets effectively uses multilingualism to articulate the nuances of their transnational identities and cultural experiences. Their works reveal a deliberate interplay of languages that challenges monolingual norms and reflects the fluidity of cultural and linguistic boundaries within the Korean diaspora. Originality: This research contributes to the field of multilingualism by highlighting the unique ways in which contemporary poets use language to navigate and express their complex identities. It offers new insights into the role of multilingualism in literature and its impact on cultural representation and identity formation. Implications: The findings underscore the importance of linguistic diversity in literary studies and its potential to enrich our understanding of cultural identity and transnational experiences. The study advocates for greater recognition of multilingual practices in literary analysis and broader cultural discourse.