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Navigating Everyday Otherness: Multicultural Experiences of Indonesian Migrant Women in South Korea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2025

Nur Aisyah Kotarumalos Open the ORCID record for Nur Aisyah Kotarumalos [Opens in a new window]
Nur Aisyah Kotarumalos*
Affiliation:
Asia Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
*
Email: nakotarumalos@u.nus.edu
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Abstract

This article examines the lived experiences of multiculturalism among the Indonesian migrant women living in South Korea through the lens of ‘everyday otherness’. The process experienced in this context is seen as part of a broader development of Korean multiculturalism. The article investigates how cultural encounters are perceived, interpreted, and negotiated by Indonesian migrant women. Drawing from qualitative research that dealt with migration narratives, the study aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on Korean multiculturalism and identify areas for improvement. It argues that everyday otherness practices in Korea have become subtler, more nuanced, and multi-layered. It reveals that while everyday multicultural practices in Korea have become more welcoming the presence of foreigners, the daily experience of racism and otherness continues, and is even more confounding.

Keywords

cultural encounterseveryday othernessIndonesian migrant womenintersectionalitymulticulturalismSouth Korea

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Type
Original Article
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TRaNS: Trans-Regional and -National Studies of Southeast Asia , First View , pp. 1 - 14
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Institute for East Asian Studies.

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