Leiden University Student Repository

Maas, Natascha (2021)

Non-Asians in South Korean dramas: Research on the racial and gender stereotyping of non-Asian foreigners in South Korean romantic comedy dramas from 2000 until 2020

Bachelor thesis | Koreanstudies (BA)

People tend to have stereotypes and thoughts about people with different racial backgrounds. This paper looks into the stereotypes that can be found in Korean romantic comedy dramas. The research looks specifically into non-Asian characters played by non-Koreans, drawing on analyses of thirty dramas aired between 2000 and 2020. It focuses on the differences between Black and White characters’ portrayal, but also between male and female characters. Assuming that the media influences people’s opinions, the analyses focus on giving insights into the opinions of Koreans on foreigners. The results show that Black characters tend to have more prominent roles in dramas than White characters. In terms of gender, men’s characters have professions more often than women’s. Finally, concerning stereotypes, such as White people’s arrogance was partly supported, while most other stereotypes, such as women’s sex-typing and Black people’s negativity, are rejected.

K-dramas

foreigners

multiculturalism

stereotyping

Author

Maas, Natascha

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Choi, N.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en