Korean and Korean American Adolescents' Responses to Literature: IMPACT OF NARRATIVES AND INTERPRETIVE COMMUNITY

How might Korean/Korean American youth cope with everyday life as a minority or a model minority if they had early and consistent exposure to literature depicting the mirrored experiences of Korean/Korean Americans? This study employed qualitative methods and an interpretive approach which enhance understanding of the life experiences, literary experiences, interpersonal interactions, and complex socio-cultural contexts of Korean/Korean American adolescents. Data was collected through interviews, participant-observations, and response journals. The findings revealed that the participants' exposure to the literature provided opportunities to reflect on their own experiences related to the stories, expand their worldviews, increase critical awareness of social issues, enhance understanding of issues and struggles of Korean/Korean Americans, and experience personal transformation. The interpretive community created spaces to deepen literary understanding by providing chances to share their viewpoints, grapple with alternative points of view, and add layers of meaning.