Week 3 - K-dramas and TV (August 16th)

[KeaneJerrica]

The breakdown of gender norms in article 2 was fascinating. In particular the analysis of K-drama's that feature "Dad's taking care of their children for 48 hours". The existance of such shows, along with their popularity, highlight the fact that Dad's taking an essential role in childbearing is "outland-ish" enough to warrant (not one, but multiple) television programs is startling. I was shocked to read about the declining birth rates coupled with high death-by-suicide rates in Korea and how the author linked these two occurances to the rigid gender norms present in Korean society. There was a lot of discussion of hetero-couples and heteronormativity and it makes me wonder what are the perceptions, prevelance and attitudes towards same-sex partnerships in Korean society? Throughout the article, the author makes a strong point that gender norms and social constructions around child-rearing and sexual relationships need to be reshaped, reimagined and/or overhauled completely, but I wonder how does that change start? I often think of our youth and how powerful their voices are. I truly believe that the younger generations bring about the most expansive change and so I wonder, again, are the youth in Korea more gender & sexually fluid than older generations just as they are in California? 

[KeaneJerrica]

Interesting point ! My colleague and I were just discussing the WHY behind how some k-pop/k-dramas break through transnationally in some areas and not in others? 

[KeaneJerrica]

Agreed - I had the same thoughts. Women should not have to choose between being a "mother OR a....." it should be "I am a mother AND I....". 

[SaenzSotoElizabeth]

As class member Courtney Caldwell mentioned, I too was not initially intrigued to view Squid Games, but since my some of my students were mentioning it I decide to give it a try. I agree that it was slow-paced at first but once you start viewing the reasons behind each characters motiviation(s) to be the sole winner of the $4.56 million (?) jackpot - I was sucked in. Reading over the 10 reasons given in the article, I agree with each of the points made. The sets, basic costumes, childhood games gone bad, "ordinary" finanacially struggling characters (in a time in which many had lost her or his job due to COVID), etc. I see how and why many people sat and watched this very short series and are awaiting season two.

In Grace Jung's article, "Aspirational Paternity and the Female Gaze on Korean Reality-Variety TV," I was astounded to see how many of these networks are connected with a governmental agenda whether it be politically, economically, and/or the want to increase birth rates (Do I hear misogynistic propaganda?). To see that KBS and MBC along with others tended (and still do) to follow/work with the government to raise awareness is completely interesting. Fighting for ones freedom of speech in another country seems to be very daunting.

In Professor Jung Kim's video I was interested to see how dramas like "Winter Sonata" became hugely popular within many countries and are still being viewed to this day. My a-ha moment on this section is how the the couple in Iran who watch KDramas, people regardless of ones language barrier, ethnic, cultural identity, etc. tend to look and feel for commonalities that may connect them with what the characters are going through as if they were "real" people. 

[BurkotEmily]

I was ready to talk about Squid Game and then read the article on "Aspirational Paternity".  I think this is actually something that could be really useful with students, especially when incorporating media literacy into classes.  What messages are being sent by "reality TV"?  That is, if what is presented in a "reality" tv show is assumed to be based in the "real world", what is being promoted?  What is being excused or not excused?  Television shows like The Bachelor or Real Housewives may not be airing govermnent messages, but they are certainly saying something to their audience.  What is it?  Comparing shows like that to "Dad! Where are we going?" and "The Return of Superman" could be an interesting exercise in critically comparing and contrasting two similar shows. 

The idea of "asperational paternity" and the messaging being sent through these Korean shows reminds me of a video I saw a few weeks ago on Instagram.  A young man tells his father that he "has to babysit the kids this weekend" and the older man replies "That isn't 'babysitting', that's parenting.  That is literally the least you can do."  What the article talked about that I found most interesting was the sometimes muddled messaging found within the show.  The shows attempt to show men that they can be involved fathers by highlighting celebrity fathers, but celebrities will have a much different experience parenting than a regular person.  They may often be traveling away from their families, and have less opportunity to spend time with their kids.  The article mentions that from the women's perspective, they know that the fathers responsibility for the children may fade after the mother returns, and then she will have full-time responsibility again.  Additionally, if the shows are attempting to show that fathers can be more involved in their children's lives, showing footage of them "bumbling" would probably not instill confidence in their abilities.  The article suggests that this is supposed to be endearing, and perhaps this comes across as more funny in the actual show, but as a piece of propaganda, it seems to lack clear messaging.  

[Jeanine Alexander]

Hello everyone! So....I started watching Squid Game this past spring and got through two episodes...couldn't handle the brutality and the inner message- at least how I see it- as class conflict, desperation, and greed. I wanted to keep watching since the visuals and acting are so superb (maybe I will try again) but honestly I think it makes us all, deep down inside, wonder if we would participate if we were so desperate. Article 1 touches on how good Squid Game is for all these reasons I mentioned.

K-dramas overall and Korean Reality TV: Familial relationships and love are such an important theme in many of the K-dramas, I feel they are doing this better than American dramas. Reality TV is so completely overdone now...I have a really hard time watching any American Reality TV, except the Masked Singer- a dumb guilty pleasure! However, when you showed us Infinite Challenge, Running Man, and Superman I became curious and will definitely check these out. They look much better than American Reality TV!

[Jeanine Alexander]

Hello Emily! Thank you for the comment about parenting (not 'babysitting'), you are right about the bumbling of parenting for the men lacking a clear message. I think it may just be about the humor? However, I think what you mentioned is a problem throughout many societies and cultures? "Traditionally" the view is women do most of the parenting while the men stumble along with it- prepetuating this stereotype at least.

[Daniel Moon]

It was interesting to notice the connection of Western imperialism/capitalism in both the CBR top ten reasons list and the article, "Aspirational paternity and the female gaze on Korean reality–variety TV." Squid Game is a social commentary on how the harms of capitalism create desperate competition in order to survive. In Jung's article, she discusses how the "orientalist self-perception" of dads is "emotionally unvailable". From observations in culture and my own experience, I have seen South Korea's radical adoption of western interests, tastes, and ideals to the point where it has gone to the extreme--people want the lifestyle of a westerner, they alter their physical features to appeal to western tastes, and more. The belief that western, white culture is better than the indigenous culture's is not new and not surprising. The U.S.'s continued occupation as well as economic and military influence in the country (with the help of Korea's own government) have pushed citizens to think that they are less than... that they should adopt capitalism, western tastes, and features in order to succed 

[DupuyRoger]

Ok, I'm asking for ideas....

I have been thinking these past few weeks since the course started about how I will be able to improve my teaching because of what I learned in this course. Even among friends, there is the discussion revolving around different learning populations-notably Koreans coming to the US VS. Korean immigrants (and I understand that even within these groups there is SO much variation). I teach ESL and TEFL at UC Irvine. My international student Koreans' perspectives are often VERY different from local Korean immigrant populations too. I have Korean students in my classes, but I also have Chinese, Taiwanese, South Americans, Europeans and Middle Eastern students as well. I am open to thoughts on how I can make my class better other than better sensitivity to their experiences. If I am to single out one culture as a topic of discussion, would I need to do that for the 4-5 other culures? 

[DupuyRoger]

Ok, I'm asking for ideas....

I have been thinking these past few weeks since the course started about how I will be able to improve my teaching because of what I learned in this course. Even among friends, there is the discussion revolving around different learning populations-notably Koreans coming to the US VS. Korean immigrants (and I understand that even within these groups there is SO much variation). I teach ESL and TEFL at UC Irvine. My international student Koreans' perspectives are often VERY different from local Korean immigrant populations too. I have Korean students in my classes, but I also have Chinese, Taiwanese, South Americans, Europeans and Middle Eastern students as well. I am open to thoughts on how I can make my class better other than better sensitivity to their experiences. If I am to single out one culture as a topic of discussion, would I need to do that for the 4-5 other culures? 

[DupuyRoger]

Ok, I'm asking for ideas....

I have been thinking these past few weeks since the course started about how I will be able to improve my teaching because of what I learned in this course. Even among friends, there is the discussion revolving around different learning populations-notably Koreans coming to the US VS. Korean immigrants (and I understand that even within these groups there is SO much variation). I teach ESL and TEFL at UC Irvine. My international student Koreans' perspectives are often VERY different from local Korean immigrant populations too. I have Korean students in my classes, but I also have Chinese, Taiwanese, South Americans, Europeans and Middle Eastern students as well. I am open to thoughts on how I can make my class better other than better sensitivity to their experiences. If I am to single out one culture as a topic of discussion, would I need to do that for the 4-5 other culures? 

[ParkLisa]

Just like Jeanine, I couldn't watch Squid Game, but many of my students were totally into it.  I liked that students who were not into K-dramas were watching; however, I was conflicted about the fact that they were watching a drama about such a brutal world. As a viewer, I understood that Squid Game was a drama that was exceedingly well made.  As a teacher, I was disturbed that students were watching at such an early age.  One of my students said that they were thinking about doing their version of Squid Game which showed how students are imitating what they watch and in the process, taking in the themes subconsciously.  I feel like a lot of the Kdramas that are coming out now are more and more about vengence and less and less about hopeful themes.  I remember the old dramas like Daejangeum where characters faced obstacles but still tried to do the right thing by helping others, not cheating others, even sometimes at a cost to themselves.   To change to another thread, I also agree with Courntney when she said that Squid Game caused her to NEED to know what happens.  I think Kdramas do a good job with causing people to binge watch.  I remember long time ago watching to 3 or 4 am on a week day because I could not stop.  I had work the next day, but I just HAD to know what happened next.  I haven't felt that way about a lot of the dramas recently. It seems like Squid Game was able to do that.  What has changed is that a lot of the dramas now LOOK amazing.  Cinemantography has improved drastically.  Some older dramas don't age well in that if I watch it now, it's all talky and not as visually arresting. 

[LeeYoonJu]

I honestly was very shocked after I finished reading Grace Jung's article, Aspirational Paternity and the Female Gaze on Korean Reality-variety TV. I was never a regular viewer of Dad! or Superman, but I enjoyed watching clips here and there and adored the kids on the show. Though the article pointed out a lot of things that I've never thought of before, I felt like the article was written with somewhat bitterness. When these shows first aired, I thought it could be a great example that can make a shift in traditional gender and family roles. The author talks about the elements in the show (like subtitles, sound effects, etc), saying that they that assume female gaze and ultimately reaffirming traditional gender role of women as caretaker, but I disagree. While I agree that these elements are used in the shows to assume female gaze, I think it is inevitable since women traditioanlly have been the main caretaker of the household, and therefore would be the ones to approve/disapprove the clumsy fathers in the show. Regardless of the gaze, I think these shows make great lessons for fathers of younger generation who desire to break the cycle: away from the stoic, strict father to an approachable father who is just as knowledgeable about the housework as their wives. It's never easy to make a change, let alone the whole society. 

[GianellaSandy]

I found the show "Squid Game" interesting at first due to the "shock" of what happens during the first game and then as the story progressed, I found it very relatable to how certain groups of people are treated.  Here we do not execute someone once they lose a game or make a poor choice however it is palatable the disdain with which the "poor contestants" are judged.  As for the guards, whose only identifying mark is simple shape are treated as disposable robots.  Then there is the privileged group who are entertained by the interaction of contestants with eachother as well as with the guards.  

As for the color schemes, I felt that was due to the "child-like" presentation of the games.  It all just made me feel that the priviledged class looked down on the contestants like children while they could enjoy themselves.  It was also interesting to me that the other notes many of the contestants are in a poor financial state due to gambling and the priviledged observes bet on the performance of various contestants.

[GianellaSandy]

I loved the show about Jeju Island! I had students years ago who were going to Jeju Island for a vacation and they were so excited.  That was the first I learned of it.  I also did a Korean children's literature program with NCTA and one of the books we used was The Ocean Calls: A Haenyeo Mermaid Story.  I love this book and use it with me "community helpers" unit when we talk about different professions.

As for "Squid Games" - the part that struck me was the very plainness of the famous international model...could this be a step towards moving away from body shaming? I hope so...young people have so much on their plates right now and that is a stress they do not need to have.

I do like Steph Curry and it was fun seeing the Curry's try to score against the giant balloon player!  I know basketball is very popular in China - is it also popular in South Korea?

Do any of the Korean dramas, reality shows, etc. every make it to North Korean audiences?  I think so much in the USA we think of "Korea" as what is really South Korea and don't also consider the North Korean population.

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