Leiden University Student Repository

Verstraete, Anke (2023)

Sagŭk Dramas: Observing South Korean society through Korean historical television series

Bachelor thesis | Koreastudies (BA)

This thesis will examine South Korean society through sagŭk dramas, focussing on the question: “How is history represented in sagŭk dramas and what can the changes over time tell us about the targeted society?”. To answer this question, a macro-perspective approach is combined with a case study. The macro-perspective analysis involves a comprehensive examination of the development of sagŭk dramas over time, aiming to identify overarching trends and shifts in the genre. The case study is structured as a comparison of three sagŭk dramas (The King of Chudong Palace (MBC, 1983), Jeong Do-jeon (KBS1, 2014), and My Country: The New Age (JTBC, 2019)) each depicting the same period, events, and historical characters. Specific examples of each of the dramas’ use of narration, on-screen text, language, costume design, music, and cinematography are used to point out changes in Korean society over time.

historical drama

South Korean television

periodisation

The King of Chudong Palace

Jeong Do-Jeon

My Country: The New Age

Author

Verstraete, Anke

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Choi, W.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en