[EAI Working Paper] Generational Analysis of Korea-Japan Relations 4_Socio-Cultural. Hallyu and 'Hate': The Paradox of the MZ Generation

Editor's Note

The East Asia Institute (EAI) has published a working paper by Seok Juhee, HK Research Professor at the Institute for Japanese Studies, Hallym University. This paper is the fourth report in the series “Generational Analysis of Korea-Japan Relations: Korea-Japan Relations as Seen by the MZ Generation,” analyzing the results of the annual <Survey on Koreans' Perceptions of East Asia> conducted by EAI and Japan's Genron NPO since 2013. This working paper examines the structure of anti-Korean sentiment and popular culture, focusing on the MZ generation, from the perspective of Korea-Japan relations, and explores directions for the development of Korea-Japan relations. The author views the MZ generation as having values and attitudes distinct from other generations as active agents in Korea-Japan relations and consumers of popular culture, arguing that as mutual cultural dissemination through popular culture exchange accelerates, a paradox emerges among the MZ generation where negative perceptions of each other increase.

※ The following is the introduction to this working paper. For the full text, please refer to the attached file above.

I. Introduction

Recently, conflicts have arisen in civil society between Korea and Japan, such as anti-Japanese protests, boycott movements, anti-Korean sentiment, and hate speech. While strategies at the national level and diplomatic discussions are important for improving Korea-Japan relations, it is also necessary to consider reducing negative perceptions such as anti-Korean sentiment and anti-Japanese sentiment that have deeply permeated society. This paper presents the perceptions of the MZ generation, referring to Koreans in their 20s and 30s, regarding Korea-Japan relations and their socio-cultural phenomena, in the context of coexisting Hallyu and hate. It seeks to improve Korea-Japan relations through intergenerational differences and socio-cultural factors.

The paradox of the MZ generation presented in this paper refers to the phenomenon where negative perceptions between Korea and Japan increase as mutual cultural dissemination through popular culture exchange accelerates. This paper primarily examines the structure of anti-Korean sentiment and popular culture among the MZ generation, focusing on their perspective on Korea-Japan relations, and seeks potential solutions. The MZ generation refers to a generation that receives information through multiple media or produces it themselves, growing as active consumers. They reconstruct existing one-sidedly formed perceptions or thoughts from their own perspective, express them, and accept them as common ways of thinking. This generation was seen to define or consume social culture according to individual preferences and to establish perceptions through their daily experiences. The MZ generation constructs their identity within social life as active producers and consumers of content. Unlike adults, they learn morality, reason, self-esteem, and justice through education or through a process of individualization. In this paper, the MZ generation is viewed as exhibiting values and attitudes distinct from other generations as active agents in Korea-Japan relations and consumers of popular culture.

The socio-cultural phenomena of the MZ generation's perceptions of Korea-Japan relations are categorized into popular culture consumption, anti-Korean sentiment and anti-Japanese sentiment, and intergenerational differences. First, popular culture and consumption examine changes in perception through Hallyu. The MZ generation expresses their values and establishes perceptions of Korea-Japan relations through consumption. Second, Korea-Japan relations as an emotional object. In Japanese society, anti-Korean sentiment and Hallyu coexist, and in Korean society, extreme perceptions of the other country, such as pro-Japanese sentiment and anti-Japanese sentiment, coexist. In particular, as exchanges in the socio-cultural field have accelerated since the 2000s, the MZ generation has developed a kind of preference for countries. Japan's 'Cool Japan' campaign in 2010, regardless of its policy success, demonstrated the important task of building a positive image of the country among the younger generation. Finally, intergenerational differences in perception are examined. In both Korea and Japan, historical issues have revealed negative perceptions of Japan regardless of generation, but perceptions of Japan show generational differences. Primarily, those aged 19-29 tend to perceive cultural, historical, and political issues separately. This clearly reveals the current Korea-Japan relations where Hallyu and anti-Korean sentiment coexist. In conclusion, this paper defines the MZ generation's perception of Korea-Japan relations and, through this, explores the background of Korea-Japan conflict relations and future directions for the development of Korea-Japan relations.

■ Author: Seok Juhee_HK Research Professor, Institute for Japanese Studies, Hallym University. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations from Ewha Womans University. Her main research areas include Japanese politics, social movements, and civil society. Recent publications include “The Restoration of Post-War Japanese Right-Wing and its Political and Social Background: The 1960 Security Treaty Struggle and Social Movements” <Journal of International Politics> (2020), “The Emergence of the New Right and the Birth of 'Everyday Nationalism'” <The Journal of Korean Studies> (2020), and “Quarterly Samchulli Unannotated Collection 4, 5” (co-authored, 2020).

■ Planning and Editing: Oh Seunghee Senior Researcher, EAI

Inquiries: 02 2277 1683 (ext. 202) seungheeoh@eai.or.kr

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Attachment: [EAI Working Paper]Generational Analysis of Korea-Japan Relations_4.Socio-Cultural.pdf