LINGUOCULTURAL FEATURES OF KOREAN DORAMS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the issues of linguoculturology as a discipline that investigates the reflection and consolidation of culture in language and speech. Since language and culture are inseparably interconnected, language functions not only as a means of communication but also as a fundamental mechanism for the preservation and transmission of cultural knowledge, norms, values, and symbols. It is precisely through language that an individual directly enters culture, assimilates its behavioral models, conceptualizes the world, and forms an identity as a bearer of a particular mentality. In the context of a globalized media environment, audiovisual translation acquires special relevance as a means of intercultural communication. It encompasses the process of rendering the meaning of multimodal texts-films, television series, K-dramas, documentaries, and others-from one language into another, taking into account both verbal and non-verbal components. Particular attention has been devoted to the analysis of the linguocultural specificities of Korean dramas, especially through the prism of character language, sociocultural codes, globalization influences, stereotyping, and mechanisms of linguistic mediation. Based on practical analysis, it has been established that K-dramas serve as a powerful medium of representing Korean culture, capable of shaping linguocultural perceptions among foreign audiences. The analysis of Korean dramas demonstrates that the characters’ speech vividly reflects key linguocultural concepts, social codes, and linguistic realities. Such notions as 효 (filial piety), 정 (emotional attachment), 눈치 (social sensitivity), 체면 (face-saving), 한 (suppressed sorrow), and 우리 (collective identity) convey the depth of the Korean mentality. In forms of address, speech styles, and lexical choices, respect for hierarchy, roles, and age becomes evident. Globalization processes account for the active penetration of Anglicisms, slang, and code-switching, which reflect contemporary linguistic hybridity. K-dramas contribute to the dissemination of linguistic elements beyond Korea: viewers acquire vocabulary, speech formulas, and cultural practices. Special attention has also been paid to stereotypes that are reinforced through the linguistic behavior of characters. The findings of the study have practical significance for the teaching of the Korean language, translation studies, intercultural communication, and the exploration of audiovisual genres. The research confirms that K-dramas perform not only an entertaining function but also foster the development of linguocultural awareness among global audiences, actively contributing to the diffusion of linguistic realities.