Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on New Trends in Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI:
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The Cultural Influence of Film and Streaming Media in the United States and South Korea: An Analysis of “Squid Game” and “Parasite”
Heewoo Jung
ABSTRACT:
This paper explores the recent success of the streaming show “Squid Game” as a reflection of the growing cultural influence between South Korea and the United States in film and media content creation. This influence is closely tied to the global reach of American streaming platforms, notably Netflix, which extended the show’s geographic impact far beyond South Korea.
Additionally, this paper conducts a comparative analysis of “Squid Game” and the 2019 South Korean film “Parasite,” both resonating with American audiences by narrating stories of economic hardships and shared societal struggles.
The essay’s opening section attributes the commercial success of these shows to newfound creative freedom for South Korean directors and producers following Netflix’s entry into the South Korean market, enabling more authentic expression and contributing to global popularity. The second section examines how “Squid Game” leveraged transnational platforms like Netflix to elevate existing concepts globally, despite previous iterations of the show. The paper’s third section highlights how “Squid Game’s” thematic focus on the pursuit of wealth resonates with a global audience striving for economic success, transcending national boundaries. The final section discusses how “Squid Game” mirrors social issues in South Korea that stem from growing capitalism.
Overall, “Squid Game” offers a lens for understanding South Korea’s cultural influence on US entertainment through platforms like Netflix. This is reinforced by shared themes, shedding light on transnational societal struggles. Understanding this exchange provides insights into the evolving global media landscape and cross-cultural understanding.
keywords: Film, Media, Cultural Influence, Transnational Platforms, Capitalism, Global Media Landscape