Navigating the invisible web in South Korea: Self-initiated expatriates strategies and challenges in accessing informal networks

Informal networks are essential for professional and social integration in South Korea’s collectivist context, yet their exclusivity often creates significant barriers for self-initiated expatriates (SIEs). This study explores how SIEs navigate South Korea’s hierarchical and culturally embedded informal networks, such as Yongo (regional ties) and Yonjul (educational connections). Drawing on qualitative interviews with 30 self-initiated expatriates, it identifies strategies for accessing these networks and addresses gaps in understanding adaptation within the South Korean cultural context. The findings extend Social Capital Theory by highlighting the dual role of bonding and bridging capital—with bonding capital reinforcing exclusivity, and bridging capital enabling access through alternative pathways. The study also refines Berry’s Acculturation Framework by introducing a behavioral typology—Survivors, Politically Savvy Actors, Isolated Individuals, and Cultural Assimilators—which captures how relational and cultural dynamics shape adaptation. These insights demonstrate how SIEs combine strategic behaviors with cultural sensitivity to overcome exclusion and foster belonging in South Korea. The study offers actionable implications for expatriates, organizations, and policymakers seeking to support integration in Korea’s exclusive, high-context social environment. By bridging theoretical frameworks with practical strategies, this research advances our understanding of self-initiated expatriate adaptation within South Korea’s informal network systems.