K-dramas como espelhos culturais : representações da cultura sul-coreana em produções populares no Brasil

Abstract

This study, situated within the context of the global expansion of Hallyu, seeks to reflect on the representations of South Korean culture present in three K-drama productions popular in Brazil: Beijo Explosivo, Beleza Verdadeira, and Uma Advogada Extraordinária. This research is of a basic nature, with a qualitative approach and, regarding its objectives, has an exploratory and descriptive character. As for the procedures, it is a documentary study, articulating the content analysis of scenes and dialogues. Therefore, we aim to identify, through discussions and results, which cultural elements present in these narratives act as mediators in the process of intercultural rapprochement. For this purpose, we used as a theoretical framework the studies of Nye (2004) and Byram (1997), among others. The results pointed to three central themes: meritocratic hierarchy, family centrality, and the construction of personal identity. These narratives, by combining universal themes with Korean values, act as vectors of intercultural mediation. Thus, the K-dramas under study articulate soft power, expanding the cultural repertoire of Brazilians and building symbolic bonds.