TY - CHAP
T1 - BTS as cultural ambassadors
T2 - K-pop and Korea in Western media
AU - Keith, Sarah
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - This chapter examines how K-pop and its artists represent “Korea” within Western media discourse, considering the diplomatic implications of their role. In particular, it addresses how BTS perform the function of “cultural ambassador” within popular music, a genre which has historically proved resistant to use by the state. Drawing on coverage of BTS in English-language news media, this discussion outlines prevailing attitudes to Korea which are revealed through features and commentaries on the group. Dominant discourses include the “othering” of Korea as a peripheral cultural producer, competition between Western and Eastern cultural spheres, and the depiction of pop music as an exploitative industry. It argues that BTS have negotiated these discourses and shifted pre-existing depictions of K-pop and of Korea itself to some extent, showing the inextricable links between culture and politics.
AB - This chapter examines how K-pop and its artists represent “Korea” within Western media discourse, considering the diplomatic implications of their role. In particular, it addresses how BTS perform the function of “cultural ambassador” within popular music, a genre which has historically proved resistant to use by the state. Drawing on coverage of BTS in English-language news media, this discussion outlines prevailing attitudes to Korea which are revealed through features and commentaries on the group. Dominant discourses include the “othering” of Korea as a peripheral cultural producer, competition between Western and Eastern cultural spheres, and the depiction of pop music as an exploitative industry. It argues that BTS have negotiated these discourses and shifted pre-existing depictions of K-pop and of Korea itself to some extent, showing the inextricable links between culture and politics.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85117244835&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:85117244835
SN - 9780367609115
SN - 9780367609122
T3 - Internationalizing Media Studies
SP - 155
EP - 167
BT - The soft power of the Korean Wave
A2 - Kim, Youna
PB - Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group
CY - London ; New York
ER -