“Identity through difference”: Liminal Diasporism and Generational Change Among the Koryo Saram in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

This article examines the case of Koryo saram, ethnic Koreans living in Central Asian republic Kyrgyzstan, to reflect on how notions diasporas, community, and identity have changed since collapse Soviet Union. It contends that saram are best understood through lenses diasporic conditions rather than as bounded communities, such an approach allows for greater recognition heterogeneity within these communities. While many continue claim some form Korean-ness, they relate issues homeland-orientation boundary maintenance evidences internal variation growing in-betweenness. The community’s hybridity (“hyphenization”) liminality (“identity difference”) stand out when examining generational differences especially evident among local Korean youth.