Studies of the Korean Wave in Taiwan have construed the genesis of the Wave as either accidental, evitable, or taken it for granted. Problematising the genesis of the Korean Wave in Taiwan, the paper proposes to see i...Studies of the Korean Wave in Taiwan have construed the genesis of the Wave as either accidental, evitable, or taken it for granted. Problematising the genesis of the Korean Wave in Taiwan, the paper proposes to see it as the product of social and political forces pertaining to a specific moment of history of Taiwan. Other than deeming the genesis categorically as a cultural instance, it argues that the Wave is in effect the production manufactured at the convergence of social political changes at a historical moment unprecedented in Taiwan history. To respond to the new social and political conditions, the Korean Wave is deliberately appropriated as the extension of social institution and political control for the purpose of prolonging class interests of the traditional rulers. By means of mammoth circulation and transmission of print media and television broadcast, the Wave is immediately called into being and captivates a throng of Taiwan Residents audience. In return, the overwhelming popularity of Korean TV dramas is capitalized on politically besides socially and culturally in order to meet new needs. Resiting the Korean Wave in Taiwan in the social and political processes at the specific moment of Taiwan history, its genesis is thereby complicated and overdetermined on top of the advanced and promised drama qualities and productions. Inevitably a limited view, however, the paper is hoped to provide an alternative aspect to the studies of the Korean Wave either in Taiwan or other regions.展开更多
文摘Studies of the Korean Wave in Taiwan have construed the genesis of the Wave as either accidental, evitable, or taken it for granted. Problematising the genesis of the Korean Wave in Taiwan, the paper proposes to see it as the product of social and political forces pertaining to a specific moment of history of Taiwan. Other than deeming the genesis categorically as a cultural instance, it argues that the Wave is in effect the production manufactured at the convergence of social political changes at a historical moment unprecedented in Taiwan history. To respond to the new social and political conditions, the Korean Wave is deliberately appropriated as the extension of social institution and political control for the purpose of prolonging class interests of the traditional rulers. By means of mammoth circulation and transmission of print media and television broadcast, the Wave is immediately called into being and captivates a throng of Taiwan Residents audience. In return, the overwhelming popularity of Korean TV dramas is capitalized on politically besides socially and culturally in order to meet new needs. Resiting the Korean Wave in Taiwan in the social and political processes at the specific moment of Taiwan history, its genesis is thereby complicated and overdetermined on top of the advanced and promised drama qualities and productions. Inevitably a limited view, however, the paper is hoped to provide an alternative aspect to the studies of the Korean Wave either in Taiwan or other regions.
