The Ambivalence of Host and Discourse on Multiculturalism in Korean Reality TV Show

Fadhila Hasby; Lilawati Kurnia; Suma Riella Rusdiarti

doi:10.58905/athena.v4i3.492

Authors

Fadhila Hasby Department of Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Lilawati Kurnia Department of Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Suma Riella Rusdiarti Department of Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58905/athena.v4i3.492

Keywords:

Reality TV Show, Host Ambivalence, Representation, Multicultural Discourse, South Korea

Abstract

South Korea implemented multiculturalism in 2006. The implementation of this policy became the backdrop for the emergence of multicultural television programs. Among the existing genres, reality TV shows were chosen by television stations to feature more immigrants on the screens of Korean viewers. Today, television programs have become an important space for representing immigrant identities to local audiences. This study analyzes a reality TV show titled My Neighbor Charles to gain a deeper understanding of the construction of immigrant representation in this program. This study assumes that the construction of immigrant representation is greatly influenced by how host Hong Seok Cheon frames the narrative of immigrant representation. Previous studies have not considered the important role of the host in framing the multiculturalism phenomenon in Korea. This study employs textual analysis and applies Critical Discourse Analysis to examine the data. Findings show that Hong simultaneously reinforces and criticizes the values and norms of the Korean majority. Rather than weakening Korea’s cultural dominance over immigrants, Hong’s ambivalent attitude strengthens its cultural hegemony.

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