The Journal of Culture Contents ISSN:2287-2256(Print) 2671-7026(Online) 문화콘텐츠연구

In this study, the identity of ‘K-drama’ is discussed by examining the conceptualization of ‘K-drama’ as an object of cultural research and analysis against the backdrop of the phenomenon of global acceptance of Korean Wave content. Firstly, the classification of K-drama’s nationality is examined from the viewpoint of the industrial context according to the content IP and main production role, secondly from the viewpoint of the content and narrative context, and those limitations are also pointed out. In the third place, the view point based on the experience and perception of the audience also examined and adopted as a flexible position in judging K-drama’s identity. In addition, this study examines the possibility that K-drama will become a ‘Genre’ through accumulated customs and styles that raise certain expectations for audiences, just as K-pop has already been categorized into a framework of genre through style and custom. A genre is a system that evokes certain expectations from the audience as repeated habits and styles. In this paper, the genreization of K-drama is understood as a system in which the global attributes of Korean content with hybridity are categorized through style. K-drama is based on an integrated audience experience that occurs with a certain expectation horizon that the audience felt in the text. In conclusion, K-drama is a mixed culture centered on audiences, and the “K-” prefix can be conceptualized as a style that reminds Korea beyond nationality, that is, Korean Style. In the end, K-drama is becoming a style and a genre at the same time.