This is Part 1 of a special edition of What's Up in Dramaland where we discuss why representation matters, and cover depictions of race and identity specifically.

We called for your input, and you responded spectacularly! We're really excited to bring you this two-part series on why representation matters, how it often presents itself in K-drama, and what it means for our fandom experience.

TIMESTAMPS:

Part 1: RACE REPRESENTATION

00:01:32 Introduction

00:05:45 Why does representation matter?

00:12:14 Contemporary cultural context and the migrant demographic shift

00:16:55 History of blackface

00:28:05 History of blackface in Korea, and the history of American imperialism

00:39:32 Marcia's voice note: Man to Man, Father I'll Take Care of You, Backstreet Rookie, and how we deal with bad rep as members of marginalised groups

01:03:55 Indian representation: Strong Woman Do Bong-soon's fake yogi; Park Hae-jin in Kkondae Intern; Axone as good rep of Indians from NE states

01:17:53 How white people are represented in K-drama and English as a marker of social status (Dramas: Search WWW; CLOY; A moment At Eighteen)

01:24:33 Itaewon Class and Chris Lyon

Part 2: LGBTQ+ REPRESENTATION

01:30:34 Itaewon Class and trans rep with Lee Joo-young

01:35:12 Graceful Family, Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, and trans villainy

01:40:11 Personal Taste and "gayface"

01:43:23 Accessing private spaces and gender-bending dramas

01:46:12 Coffee Prince and the "gay for you" trope

01:51:29 Secret Boutique

01:54:28 My Unfamiliar Family

01:57:28 Reply 1997

01:59:08 Her Private Life and obligatory tragedy

02:03:34 Where Your Eyes Linger

02:04:42 Her Private Life, again. HELLO RYAN GOLD

02:06:29 Conclusion

Find us on Twitter @dramasoverflow and Instagram @dramasoverflowers_podcast. Email us at [email protected]

Our Amazing Patrons are:

Egads, Steven Blackmore, Lia W., Kimbap Noona, Hades, Gracefulegg, Divina, Jenmole, Saoirse10, Hamda, MCG, Humbledaisy, Eunice Choi, Jojo, A.K., k8ekol, mindy, Liliana, Edyth, and Marcia. Thank you! ❤︎

Support us at www.patreon.com/dramasoverflowers and by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply telling your friends.

In our extended show notes, you can find links to the articles we reference in the episode, quotes we didn't have time to read out, and additional points from us that we forgot to mention during the recording. Read them here: https://dramasoverflowers.net/2020/08/02/representation-in-dramaland-race-and-lgbtq-identity/