NEW IDENTITY

The title “New Identity” was inspired by a Korean government identification number composition protocol.

The Korean government determines the seventh-to-last digit of a citizen's ID number according to their gender designated at birth; the seventh-to-last digit of the ID number of citizens born before 2000 is 1 for those designated as males and 2 for those designated as females. This system instructs individuals on how to assimilate into the conventional governmentally mandated social gender construction rather than make them feel as if they belong in this country regardless of their perception of their own gender.  According to a survey conducted by Dawoon in 2021, 33.6% of LGBTQIA+ Korean citizens aged 19 to 34 have experienced gender discrimination, and almost 40% of non-binary/trans citizens have considered committing suicide as a result of this discrimination. Thus, the project serves as an important beacon to any LGBTQIA+ citizens struggling with objectification and social categorization in Korea.