한국에서 중국 유학생들의 소셜미디어 소비와 정체성 구축: 소비자 문화변용의 관점에서

초록

This study aims to analyze the diverse social media usage patterns of Chinese international students residing in Korea and to explore how the symbolic significance associated with this usage relates to their identity formation in Korea. To achieve this goal, four research questions were established, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 Chinese students. The results indicate that these students continue to engage with Chinese social media platforms, while concurrently adopting global platforms such as KakaoTalk, Instagram, and YouTube. Their strategic utilization of these platforms extends beyond communication, encompassing information acquisition, self-expression, and entertainment. The use of these platforms carries multiple symbolic representations - from maintaining connections with the Chinese community to expressing personal tastes and adopting global values, all within the context of life in Korea. These symbolisms contribute to the preservation of their Chinese identity and the development of a new Korean identity. This study underscores the instrumental role of social media in facilitating consumer cultural acculturation. The results invites a reappraisal of concepts such as assimilation and separation in the context of consumer acculturation, as social media may concurrently strengthen immigrants' ties with their homeland and facilitate their integration into the host society. The findings call for an extension of future research into the impact of technological innovations, including social media, on immigrant acculturation processes.

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