An Autoethnographic Quest1: Searching for “Peace” in Seoul, South Korea

This autoethnographic narrative explores the cultural contours of “Peace” in Seoul, South Korea, bringing together elements of cultural criticism, narrative travelogue, and cultural anthropology. Written as an exemplar for a “Quest Autoethnography,” it seeks to explore the multiple, layered nature of the question of “Peace” through local vocabularies for identity, including media, language, consumption, community, and above all, culture. The essay draws on the field of Korean Studies (across cultural anthropology, media studies, sociology, and political science) in its theoretical embedding—referenced in footnotes.