아세안

This article explores the lives of children born to Vietnamese mothers and Korean fathers, navigating post-parental separation or divorce and subsequent return to Vietnam. Through in-depth interviews with returning mothers, children, and caregivers in Southern Vietnam, the study unveils the narratives of a “second generation” straddling Korean and Vietnamese ties. Like their mothers, their children grapple with diverse forms of economic uncertainty and legal ambiguity in Vietnam, stemming from their unclear transnational status. In the absence of Korean fathers, Vietnamese mothers and caregivers play a pivotal role in shaping Korean identity, recognizing it as a crucial future capital for children. Paradoxically, aspirations for material success link measures like learning Korean, contemplating migration to Korea, and reconnecting with fathers. The article argues that the identities of second-generation children from cross-border marriages are intricately crafted through a complex interplay of factors.