Yoon Tae-Il   Kim Sae-Eun   Kim Sooah  and Sohn Byung-Woo

10.18399/acta.2017.20.2.004

media narrative reality TV show global-local nexus  sinmyŏng Korean traditional performances

In an attempt to explore how local traditional narrative manifests in a globalized media format, we analyzed five aesthetic elements of Korean traditional performances in Infinite Challenge (Muhan tojŏn) in terms of the sinmyŏng narrative. In the Infinite Challenge show, the personae release pent-up energy through endless challenges, sustain positive attitudes towards life by wiping away tears through laughter, have fun with playful deception games or word play, act like childish fools (pabo) and pranksters (kŏndal) who indulge their unbound desires, and interact with participatory audiences in an open structure. Coupled with previous research confirming that traditional communication styles shape modes of expression in contemporary media content, we believe this study can provide empirical evidence to substantiate the creative potential of local traditional narrative in indigenizing global media programs.