A study on the Korean Value System in Korean Dramas: Focusing on “Cheese in the Trap”

This research focuses on ‘Cheese in the Trap” drama which depicts Korean value system (Authoritarianism, Collectivism, Familism), male-oriented society, filial duty, role of women in the society, sacrifice, nunchi (sense), face-saving, education fever, lookism, student life, modern college life, relationship between junior-senior, chaebol (a large family-owned business conglomerate of South Korean)-son, father-daughter, mother-daughter, father-son, mother-son, brother-sister. The material used for presenting value system is drama scenes or dialogues, which shows Korean society is highly patriarchal, and the influence of authoritarianism, emphasize face-saving, nunchi (sense), education fever, patriarchy, lookism. Authoritarianism includes the authority of parents, bosses, elders, and distinguished names and titles. In authoritarianism, the behavioral norm emphasizes, dominating male consciousness and the authority in the hierarchical relationship. On the other hand, social norms emphasize the expression of 'uri (us)' does not appear in the South Korean society, which depicts the individualism. Moreover, it does not respect equal rights and does not improve the status of women. The influence of materialism emphasizes money, power, success, and appearance. The transformation of familism from traditional to modern and amoral attitude is visible in contemporary Korean society while the filial duty is still visible in the present Korean society. This study has introduced a new theoretical framework that value system, culture, and language are related, or interlinked to each other.