Gesture as a Projection of Feeling in a South Korean TV Series. Ways of Use

Abstract

The author analyzes one of a characteristic feature of South Korean TV series - the constant reproduction of the same so-called "cliches", including gestures, series of gestures and mises en scene, in the development of storylines concerning the romantic relationships of the characters.

After a brief outline of the cultural and historical context in which Korean TV production should be seen, the author suggests that the language of the TV-serial is influenced by traditional theatrical art, and illustrates that with examples from the serials. The article deals with the established ways gestures are displayed on screen, their typical and non-standard versions, and how the same gestures may be interpreted differently in different cases. The article also considers how the gestures and mises en scene function in the narrative structure of the narrative, their role in engaging the audience in the process of watching, the intertextual nature of the cliches, and the possibilities it offers for the creators of Korean "dorama".