UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT Florida International University University Graduate School Master s Thesis Defense Abstract Images and Perceptions of Muslims and Arabs in Korean Popular Culture and Society by Maria Magdaline Jamass Interest in Muslim and Arab societies has been on the rise in Korea, especially since 2001, with many books and various documentaries being published on the subject. Since 2005 there have been a number of television shows and documentaries that include Muslim, and sometimes Arab characters. This study will examine how images of Muslims and Arabs are presented in Korean popular culture through the analysis of various dramas and variety shows, as well as how these images fit into the context of Korean ethno-nationalism and the history of Islam in East Asia. In addition to this analysis this study will also be exploring how these images have been changing from negative to a more sympathetic or realistic depiction of Muslims and Arabs, as well as explore which groups are responsible for this change. Date: March 26, 2014 Time: 3:00 p.m. Place: University Park, SIPA 504 Department: Asian Studies Major Professor: Dr. Maria del Mar Logroño
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida IMAGES AND PERCEPTIONS OF MUSLIMS AND ARABS IN KOREAN POPULAR CULTURE AND SOCIETY A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in ASIAN STUDIES by Maria Magdaline Jamass 2014
To: Dean Kenneth G. Furton College of Arts and Sciences This thesis, written by Maria Magdaline Jamass, and entitled Images and Perceptions of Muslims and Arabs in Korean Popular Culture and Society, having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment. We have read this thesis and recommend that it be approved. Steven Heine Matthew Marr Maria del Mar Logroño, Major Professor Date of Defense: March 26, 2014 The thesis of Maria Magdaline Jamass is approved. Dean Kenneth G. Furton College of Arts and Sciences Dean Lakshmi N. Reddi University Graduate School Florida International University, 2014
DEDICATION I dedicate this work to my family, who have always encouraged me and have always supported me when I needed it most.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this work would not have been possible with the support of my committee members, who guided and supported me through the rough patches of writing and researching. I would like to thank my major advisor, Dr. Maria del Mar Logroño whose knowledge, guidance, advice, and patience has helped me greatly. I would also like to thank Dr. Steven Heine for his support and understanding, which kept me from my wits end, as well as for his insight. My gratitude also goes to Dr. Marr whose feedback was significantly helpful in making sure my research was going in the right direction. Lastly, I would like to thank the Asian Studies staff, my family, friends, and loved ones, whose encouragement and moral support made this experience that much easier. Thank you.
ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS IMAGES AND PERCEPTIONS OF MUSLIMS AND ARABS IN KOREAN POPULAR CULTURE AND SOCIETY by Maria Magdaline Jamass Florida International University, 2014 Miami, Florida Professor Steven Heine, Major Professor Interest in Muslim and Arab societies has been on the rise in Korea, especially since 2001, with many books and various documentaries being published on the subject. Since 2005 there have been a number of television shows and documentaries that include Muslim, and sometimes Arab characters. This study will examine how images of Muslims and Arabs are presented in Korean popular culture through the analysis of various dramas and variety shows, as well as how these images fit into the context of Korean ethno-nationalism and the history of Islam in East Asia. In addition to this analysis this study will also be exploring how these images have been changing from negative to a more sympathetic or realistic depiction of Muslims and Arabs, as well as explore which groups are responsible for this change.
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTION A. Significance of Study...1 B. Research Purpose and Significance of Study...2 C. Research Questions and Hypothesis...3 D. Background and Theory...4 E. Methodology...5 F. Chapter Outline...6 II. KOREAN ETHNO-NATIONALISM: A LITERATURE REVIEW...7 III. A Brief History of Islam in East Asia...25 A. China...25 B. Japan...29 C. Korea...34 D. Comparison...39 IV. IMAGES AND PERCEPTIONS OF MUSLIMS AND ARABS...41 A. The Images in Korean Popular Culture...42 B. Why are These Images so prevalent?...53 C. Are Images Changing? Who is Changing Those Images?...56 V. CONCLUSION...62 A. How the study can be expanded...62 B. How do Korean Images Compare to Japanese Images?...64 C. The Images of Muslims and Arabs in South Korea...66 LIST OF REFERENCES...73