The Cultural Identity Experienced by the Main Character in David Yoon's Frankly in Love

Abstract

This study examines the cultural identity crisis experienced by the second generation of Korean immigrants as demonstrated by Frank Li in David Yoon’s Frankly in Love. Frank Li struggles with his parent’s conflicting values, resulting in cultural clashes and gaps. This article utilizes Stuart Hall’s cultural identity theory to identify how Frank Li navigates cultural clashes and gaps to establish his identity amidst social rejection from both sides. David Yoon, the author of the novel, urges readers to empathize and comprehend the experiences of second-generation Korean immigrant families. This study has significant relevance as it provides deep insights into the cultural identity struggles of second-generation Korean immigrants. Moreover, it highlights the challenges faced by second-generation immigrants in their pursuit of cultural identity.