• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2023

This study explores aspects of Vietnamese students' acculturation and acceptance behavior of K-fashion, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). In-depth interviews were conducted with 8 Vietnamese international students in Korea. The results of the study firstly indicate that K-fashion acceptance behavior of Vietnamese students reflected eight values of K-fashion, two motives of behavior, and two types of K-fashion acceptance behavior. Vietnamese students generally displayed a favorable attitude toward K-fashion. They all switched to K-fashion styles and actively showed their styles through SNS. Second, there was a difference in K-fashion behavior depending on whether the motivation for acculturation was of an active or inactive nature. The distinction between these two groups was determined by applying behavioral reasoning theory (BRT). Students whose motivation for learning Korean was an interest in Korean culture were characterized by active behavior in adapting to Korean culture, while those whose motivation for learning Korean was for strategic reasons, such as finding a good job, exhibited inactive K-fashion acceptance. This study has academic significance in that it enhances the understanding of Vietnamese consumers through the K-fashion acceptance behavior of Vietnamese students in Korea. Vietnamese students who actively embrace K-fashion play an important role in spreading K-fashion, so it could be beneficial to establish a strategy for promoting K-fashion in collaboration with them.