It is estimated that there were 2.5 million Koreans living in Japan at the end of World War II. Although many returned home after the war, there are still approximately 600,000 "Zainichi" Koreans, as these migrants and descendants are called, living and working in Japan. They make up the nation's "largest ethnic minority."
Prohibited from entering more prestigious occupations, Zainichi energetically filled in the cracks and established a thriving but marginal community. As successful as the third generation has become, they remain outsiders, strong but invisible.
Their marginal position in Japanese society has pushed them in two opposing directions: They must assimilate to be successful but they must preserve their Korean heritage to maintain their identity. Thus, they became adept in constructing multiple roles. So-Mi Young-Ja, for example, went through university with three identities. "In most Japanese company, I'd be Japanese. At home I'd be Korean. With my close friends, I'd be Zainichi Korean."