The Kwangju Democratic Uprising, variously referred to as the Kwangju democratization movement, the Kwangju people's uprising, 5.18, and 5.18 Democratic uprising, is considered a pivotal moment in Korean history. Once framed as a communist disturbance by the ruling military regime, the uprising served a central role in Korea's transition from dictatorship to democracy. In addition to playing a role in shaping Korea's modern politics, the uprising also had a critical impact on the identity formation of those who participated, as well as bystanders. While previous studies of the Kwangju uprising have largely focused on the national and international political dimensions of the uprising, as well as the immediate impact of the uprising on the citizens of Kwangju, this study focuses on the development of the generation of people affected by the uprising. Specifically, by examining the stories of bystanders who witnessed the uprising as children or young adults, this study considers how the uprising has played a role in processes of identity formation at both the regional and individual levels. After providing background into the uprising, this article explains the author's theoretical frameworks and methodology, and then presents interviews with the bystanders. This article also discusses how the impact of the uprising can be understood in the context of identity formation.