Fieldwork Study on Youth Culture and Identity in East Asia

This study presents a comprehensive fieldwork investigation into youth culture and identity formation in East Asia, focusing on the dynamic interplay between local traditions and global influences. Through multi-sited ethnographic research conducted in Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai, it examines how young people engage in diverse cultural practices---including subcultural participation, digital media use, consumption patterns, and spatial strategies---to negotiate their identities. The findings reveal both shared regional trends and distinct national variations shaped by factors such as gender, class, ethnicity, and nationalism. By integrating theoretical frameworks on cultural hybridity, identity construction, and globalization, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of East Asian youth cultures within a rapidly changing social landscape. Limitations and future directions, including longitudinal studies and broader geographic scope, are discussed to inform ongoing scholarly inquiry.