Abstract
This essay examines the resilience and resistance of Korean women in the face of colonial and neo-colonial forces, particularly the enduring impacts of Japanese Occupation and US neo-colonization on Korean culture and society. Challenging the dominant narrative of the United States as a liberator, this study delves into the nuanced and often suppressed stories of oppression and cultural erasure. Through an analysis of contemporary poetry written by Korean and Korean American authors Don Mee Choi, Cathy Park Hong, and Emily Jungmin Yoon, this essay explores how literary expressions serve as powerful tools for articulating decolonial hope and reclaiming agency. The essay highlights the multifaceted challenges faced by transnational Korean women in Western societies, from casual microaggressions to extreme forms of racism, underscoring their impacts on individual identity and community dynamics. By analysing poetry that depicts instances of discrimination, marginalization, and cultural fetishization, the essay advocates for greater awareness and inclusivity in societal narratives. Ultimately, this essay's exploration of postcolonial identity and transnational poetics showcases the resilience, cultural richness, and collective struggle for an equitable future across geographical and cultural borders.