South Korean dramas use Africa as a tool to project national soft power

A film and media scholar analyzed how South Korean television series portray Africa as a site of primitive danger or a place requiring charity to define South Korea's own national identity.

The scholar examined three specific dramas: Shooting Stars (2022), Marry My Husband (2024), and Queen of Tears (2024). In these shows, Africa appears as a place for characters to build character through volunteer work, a location for punishment, or a wild land devoid of law.

For example, in Marry My Husband, a character named Oh Yu-ra is sent to an African volunteer foundation as a consequence for her actions. In Shooting Stars, the protagonist performs volunteer work in Africa to improve his public image in South Korea. The scholar argues that these portrayals allow South Korea to position itself as a leading global power by contrasting its development against a stereotyped Africa.

By depicting Africa as a place in need of a Korean savior, the shows help South Korea build its soft power. This mirrors historical patterns where European nations defined themselves against Africa. The study suggests that as eastern powers like China and South Korea grow, these old stereotypes are being reused to reinforce the image of the emerging economies.

While African immigrants live in South Korea and appear on variety shows, they often face racist backlash when they challenge local narratives. The scholar concludes that while K-dramas are popular across Africa, the continent is often reduced to a symbol of lack in these stories. This representation serves South Korea's pursuit of global influence by relying on a colonial gaze that ignores Africa's own modern urban life and innovation.