How Korean Series Portray Africa to Boost South Korea’s Image
South Korean television dramas frequently portray Africa as a place of danger, rebellion, or need for charity, serving as a contrasting backdrop to highlight South Korea's economic development and emerging soft power. This trend reflects South Korea's historical transformation from poverty to global influence, using Africa as a reference point in popular culture.
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South Korean dramas often depict Africa in a negative light—as a continent needing charity, a place of rebellion and savagery, or a site of punishment for troubled characters. This portrayal appears in popular series such as Shooting Stars (2022), Marry My Husband (2024), and Queen of Tears (2024), which was the most-watched Korean drama on Netflix in 2024.
According to a recent study by a media and cinema researcher specializing in global Black art, these representations are not merely stereotypes but serve to position South Korea’s own development. Having risen from one of the poorest countries after the Korean War to a major economic and cultural power, South Korea uses Africa as a contrasting backdrop in its dramas to underscore its progress and soft power.
The depiction of Africa as “wild” or in need of Korean intervention helps to reinforce South Korea’s international image, especially its role in providing aid to African countries. This dynamic reflects broader cultural narratives where South Korea defines its modern identity in opposition to Africa, using popular media as a barometer of national development.