Kim H3/05/20212/05/2021Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work Review, 2021, 33 (1), pp. 29 - 43 (14)0113-7662https://hdl.handle.net/10179/16369INTRODUCTION: While citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand are granted full participation regardless of racial and cultural background, Asian immigrants appear exempt from the benefits of inclusion. For many, immigration is a stress-inducing journey with resultant socio-economic marginalisation adversely impacting on their participation in society. METHODS: Theoretically underpinned by symbolic interactionism, this Straussian-grounded theoretical study explored how nine South Koreans re-constructed life after immigration. Semi- structured interviews were analysed using open, axial and selective coding. FINDINGS: To re-establish their lives, participants gradually “knock on the door to integration” while retaining a sense of safety in their ethnic community. This process continues until they find a place where they are recognised as a member of society. In this sense, “seeking membership” is what participants try to achieve in the host society. CONCLUSION: If we want to be at the forefront of efforts to address ethnic minority groups’ life-challenges, social work practice must include specific competencies in assisting Asian immigrants, helping them to master their new surroundings and endorse their equal membership in society.29 - 43 (14)Korean immigrantsmembershipparticipationsocial interactionStraussian-grounded theorysymbolic interactionismJournal article10.11157/anzswj-vol33iss1id821444776Massey_Dark1607 Social Work