Historical Drama in the Time of Global Streaming Platforms: Envisioning Transition in Mr. Sunshine

Abstract

This article examines 2018 South Korean historical drama Mr. Sunshine as an example showcasing the impact of global streaming platforms on local television production. As a locally produced show targeting the international market and later purchased by Netflix, Mr. Sunshine offers an interesting case study of the local industry’s response to changes brought about by global streaming services. This article analyzes how the creators’ acute awareness of the threats and opportunities posed by the increasingly transnationalizing media industry is reflected in the text of the historical drama set in the time of modernization and the approaching Japanese occupation. It argues that Mr. Sunshine’s visual and narrative construction of early twentieth-century Korea, which emphasizes the unrealized potential of transitional times and Korean people’s agency in shaping their own history, indicates a perceived parallel between the setting of the show and the conditions of its creation.

Increasing Consumption of Korean Dramas during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Such an increasing consumption of K-Dramas is also bolstered by the amplification of streaming services in recent years (Ju, 2018;Y. Kim, 2021;Park et al, 2019).…”

“…Since their first entrance into the Korean market in 2016despite the initial underwhelming outturn due to fierce competition with the neighboring countriesstreaming platforms gradually became more significant in strengthening transnational mobility and dispersion of Korean media (Y. Kim, 2021). Consequently, the domination of streaming platforms is substantial as it facilitates the needs of viewers across national and cultural borders and increases their access to K-Dramas.…”

Not just Netflix: Interventions of Korea's domestic streamers

“…There is a growing body of work on Netflix Korea's content strategy (see Ju, 2021;T. Kim, 2022b;Y Kim 2022), but little on domestic streamers like Tving or Wavve.…”

“…Netflix receives a lot attention and certainly has been important to the Korean media industry, but focusing just on this service flattens the complexities that exist in the rapidly evolving video market. There is a growing body of work on Netflix Korea's content strategy (see Ju, 2021; T. Kim, 2022b; Y Kim 2022), but little on domestic streamers like Tving or Wavve.…”