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Author: Meldi Latifah Saraswati PDF
Article 3
Abstract- The South Korean cultural industry has become a significant global force through products such as K-pop, Korean dramas and films. However, there is a phenomenon that attracts attention, which is the frequent advertisement or prominence of the Church in these cultural products. In the two examples of the films The Glory and Start-Up this study aims to analyze the motives, strategies and effects of the representation of Christianity in the South Korean cultural industry. By using a qualitative approach and utilizing Semiotic Theory. The research examines various popular media such as films and dramas to understand how Christianity is used as a cultural symbol, moral value or marketing tool. It also examines its relationship with South Korea's modern history, where Christianity has played an important role in modernization and social dynamics. The results show that the Church is not only a reflection of South Korea's significant population, advertising marketing, a symbol of contradiction and revenge but also part of a cultural strategy to build a moral image and universal values that can be accepted globally. This research provides new insights into the relationship between religion, popular culture and capitalism in the context of the modern culture industry.
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Cite: Saraswati, M. L. (2025). South Korea’s capitalist industry: Why does Christianity always get the spotlight in drama? Glovento Journal of Integrated Studies (GJIS), 1, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.63665/gjis.v1.3