Mediating the South Korean Other: Representations and Discourses of Difference in the Post/Neocolonial Nation-State

Korea's multiculturalism is shaped by its neoliberal, global aspirations, postcolonial legacy with Japan, and subordinated neocolonial relationship with the United States. The Korean ethnoscape and mediascape produce a complex understanding of difference that cannot be reduced to racism or ethnocentrism. This collection examines mediated constructions of the "other" in Korean media culture, considering the nation's postcolonial and neocolonial relationships and its mediated construction of self. "Anthrocategorism" is offered as a new framework for understanding difference that is locally meaningful in a society and media system where racial or even ethnic differences are not the most salient.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2022
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Multiculturalism in Korea has a rich and complex history, shaped by a combination of neoliberal global aspirations, its postcolonial legacy with Japan, and its subordinate neocolonial relationship with the United States. The Korean ethnoscape and mediascape create a nuanced understanding of difference that defies simple categorizations of racism or ethnocentrism. In the Korean language, the term "injongchabyeol," often translated as racism, encompasses discrimination based on any kind of "human category." This multifaceted perspective requires new language and nuance in English-language scholarship to fully explore Korea's relationship to difference and its practices of othering, particularly in the realm of media culture.

This collection of essays, brought together by leading and emerging scholars in the field, aims to examine mediated constructions of the "other" in Korean media culture. It takes into account the nation's postcolonial and neocolonial relationships, as well as its mediated construction of self. A key concept introduced in the collection is "anthrocategorism," a more nuanced translation of "injongchabyeol." This framework seeks to understand difference in locally meaningful ways, recognizing that racial or even ethnic differences may not be the most salient factors in a society and media system.

The collection highlights several key aspects of multiculturalism in Korea. It explores the construction of racial others that elevate, tolerate, and incorporate difference. It also examines the construction of valued and devalued ethnic others, as well as the ambivalent construction of co-ethnic others as sympathetic victims or marginalized threats. By examining these constructions, the collection sheds light on the complex dynamics of identity, power, and representation in Korean media culture.

One of the key themes in the collection is the role of media in shaping perceptions and attitudes toward difference. The media plays a crucial role in perpetuating stereotypes, marginalizing certain groups, and promoting dominant narratives. However, the collection also highlights the potential for media to challenge these narratives and promote greater inclusivity and diversity.

The essays in this collection offer a wealth of insights into the multifaceted nature of multiculturalism in Korea. They draw on a range of theoretical frameworks, including cultural studies, media studies, and postcolonialism, to analyze the complex interplay between culture, identity, and power in Korean media culture. The authors employ a variety of methodologies, including qualitative analysis, content analysis, and critical discourse analysis, to examine the ways in which media representations shape public perceptions and attitudes toward difference.

In conclusion, this collection of essays provides a valuable contribution to the study of multiculturalism in Korean media culture. It offers a nuanced understanding of difference that challenges traditional categorizations and highlights the complex dynamics of identity, power, and representation in Korean society. By examining mediated constructions of the "other" in the context of Korea's postcolonial and neocolonial relationships, the collection sheds light on the ways in which media shapes public perceptions and attitudes toward difference. It also provides a framework for understanding difference in locally meaningful ways, recognizing that racial or even ethnic differences may not be the most salient factors in a society and media system.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472055456