Perception of Korean TV Drama Reality among Jordanian Youth

KHALAF TAHAT, BASHAR MUTAHAR & ALI NEJADAT
Yarmouk University, Jordan

Abstract
Based on questionnaire responses from a purposive sample of 400 Jordanian young viewers, this study attempts to examine reality perceptions of the events portrayals on Korean TV drama among them, and to explore how they relate to this drama such as realism perceptions, utility, and identity. The results revealed that viewers’ gender has a significant impact on their intensity of Korean TV drama viewing, their perception of its reality and their attitudes towards it. Our findings also indicated that intensity of this drama viewing influences the attitudes towards it; however, there is no significant effect for this intensity on perceived reality rate of this drama.

Keywords: Korean TV drama, Jordanian youth, perceived reality, agic window, utility, identity

References

Anderson, C. S., Balica, E., Balmain, C., Iadevito, P., Kida, P., Mazaná, V. and Yoon, S. (2014), The Global Impact of South Korean Popular Culture: Hallyu Unbound. Lexington books.
Bahk, C. M. (2010), ‘Environmental education through narrative films: Impact of medicine man on attitudes toward forest preservation’, The Journal of Environmental Education, 42:1, pp. 1-13.
Busselle, R. W. and Greenberg, B. S. (2000), ‘The nature of television realism judgments: A reevaluation of their conceptualization and measurement’, Mass Communication & Society, 3:2-3, pp.249-268.
Calzo, J. P. and Ward, L. M. (2009), ‘Media exposure and viewers’ attitudes toward homosexuality: evidence for mainstreaming or resonance? ’, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 53:2, pp. 280-299.
Cho, H., Shen, L. and Wilson, K. (2014), ‘Perceived realism: Dimensions and roles in narrative persuasion’, Communication Research, 41:6, 828 –851.
Correa, M.C. (2012), ‘Strong women in the eyes of Filipinas: A reception study of Korean TV dramas’, Paper presented at the 6th World Congress of Korean Studies, Seoul, South Korea, September 2012, retrieved 22.12.2016 from: http://congress.aks.ac.kr/korean/files/2_1357266442.pdf Dominick, J. R. (1974), ‘ Children’s viewing of crime shows and attitudes on law enforcement’, Journalism Quarterly, 51:1, pp. 5-12.
Elliott, W. R. and Slater, D. (1980) , ‘Exposure, experience and perceived TV reality for adolescents’, Journalism Quarterly, 57:3, pp. 409-431.
Eyal, K. and Kunkel, D. (2008), ‘The effects of sex in television drama shows on emerging adults’ sexual attitudes and moral judgments’, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 52:2, pp.161-181.
Gerbner, G. and Gross, M. (1976), ‘Living with television: The violence profile’, Journal of Communication, 26:2, pp.172-194.
Gottfried, J. A., Vaala, S. E., Bleakley, A., Hennessy, M. and Jordan, A. (2013), ‘Does the effect of exposure to TV sex on adolescent sexual behavior vary by genre? ’, Communication Research, 40: 1, pp.73-95.
Hall, A. (2003), ‘Reading realism: Audiences’ evaluations of the reality of media texts’, Journal of Communication, 53:4, pp. 624-641.
Hasegawa, N. (2006), ‘A Quantitative Analysis of Japanese Images of Korea: Perceptual Changes Brought about by TV Drama Viewing’, þIntercultural Communication Studies, XV(1), pp. 77-86.
Hawkins, R. P. (1977), ‘The dimensional structure of children’s perceptions of television reality’, Communication Research, 4:3, pp. 299-320.
Holbert, R. L., Shah, D. V. and Kwak, N. (2004), ‘Fear, authority, and justice: Crime-related TV viewing and endorsements of capital punishment and gun ownership’, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 81:2, pp. 343-363.
Jiang, Q. and Leung, L. (2012), ‘Lifestyles, gratifications sought, and narrative appeal: American and Korean TV drama viewing among Internet users in urban China’, International Communication Gazette, 74:2, pp. 159-180.
Kang, J. G., Andersen, S. S. and Pfau, M. (1997), ‘Television viewing and perception of social reality among Native American adolescents’, Intercultural Communication Studies, 6:1, pp 71-84.
Kim, D. K., Singhal, A., Hanaki, T., Dunn, J., Chitnis, K. and Han, M. W. (2009), ‘Television drama, narrative engagement and audience buying behavior: The effects of Winter Sonata in Japan’, International Communication Gazette, 71:7, pp. 595-611.
King, J., Naon, D., Wolde-Tsadick, A., and Habib, J. (2009), ‘Employment of Arab Women Aged 18-64’, þRetrieved 20 January 2017 from: http://brookdale.jdc.org.il/_Uploads/PublicationsFiles/527-09-ArabWomensEmployment-ES-ENG.pdf
Korean Culture and Information Service. (2011), ‘K-Drama: A new TV genre with global appeal. Korea: Korean Culture and Information Service’, Cited in: Kim, D. K., Singhal, A., Hanaki, T., Dunn, J., Chitnis, K., & Han, M. W. (2009), ‘Television drama, narrative engagement and audience buying behavior: The effects of Winter Sonata in Japan. International Communication Gazette, 71:7, pp. 595-61.
Malliet, S. (2006), ‘An exploration of adolescents’ perceptions of videogame realism’, Learning, Media and Technology, 31:4, pp. 377-394.
Nancy, Z. (Dec, 29, 2016), ‘Top 10 most-watched K-dramas of 2016’, Retrieved 20 January 2017 from: https://www.dramafever.com/news/top-10-new-k-dramas-from-2016/
Paek, H. J., Choi, M. and Hove, T. (2017), ‘Intention to View Health TV Programs in South Korea: An Application of the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. 1077699016689466.
Peter, J. and Valkenburg, P. M. (2010), ‘Processes underlying the effects of adolescents’ use of sexually explicit internet material: The role of perceived realism’, Communication Research, 37:3, pp. 375-399.
Potter, W. J. (1992), ‘How do Adolescents’ Perceptions of Television Reality Change over Time?’, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 69(2), pp. 392-405.
Punyanunt-Carter, N. M. (2008), ‘The perceived realism of African American portrayals on television’, The Howard Journal of Communications, 19:3, pp. 241-257.
Quick, B. L., Morgan, S. E., LaVoie, N. R. and Bosch, D. (2014), ‘Grey’s Anatomy viewing and organ donation attitude formation: Examining mediators bridging this relationship among African Americans, Caucasians, and Latinos’, Communication Research, 41:5, pp. 690-716.
Ribbens, W. and Malliet, S. (2010), ‘Perceived digital game realism: A quantitative exploration of its structure’, Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 19;6,
pp. 585-600.
Rivadeneyra, R. and Ward, L. M. (2005), ‘From Ally McBeal to Sábado Gigante Contributions of Television Viewing to the Gender Role Attitudes of Latino Adolescents’, Journal of Adolescent Research, 20:4, pp. 453-475.
Shim, D. (2006), ‘Korean women television viewers in Singapore’, Cultural Space and Public Sphere in Asia, pp.163-181.
Vu, H. T. and Lee, T. T. (2013), ‘Soap operas as a matchmaker: A cultivation analysis of the effects of South Korean TV dramas on Vietnamese women’s marital intentions’, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 90:2, pp. 308-330.
Ward, L. M. and Friedman, K. (2006), ‘Using TV as a guide: Associations between television viewing and adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behavior’, Journal of Research on Adolescence, 16:1, pp. 133-156.
Yang, J. (2012), ‘The Korean wave (Hallyu) in East Asia: A comparison of Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese audiences who watch Korean TV dramas’, Development and Society, 41:1, pp. 103-147.

Khalaf Tahat (Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2015) is a an Associate Professor of Journalism and the Vice Dean of Mass Communication College at Yarmouk University in Jordan.
Dr. Tahat is also the chairman of Jordanian Association Press (North branch).
Bashar Mutahar (Ph.D., University of Cairo, 2007) is an Associate Professor in Radio and Television Department and the former chair of the department at Mass Communication College at Yarmouk University, Jordan.
Ali Nejadat (Ph.D., University of Cairo, 2004) is a full Professor in Journalism and the Dean of Mass Communication College at Yarmouk University, Jordan.