著者
上野 輝将
出版者
神戸女学院大学
雑誌
女性学評論 (ISSN:09136630)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.21, pp.1-48, 2007-03-31

In 2003, Korean TV Drama Winter Sonata made a big hit in Japan, especially with middle-aged women. The audience were fascinated by a feeling of first love, beautiful music and enchanting scenes, a sense of cosmopolitanism, and the actor Yonsama. In contrast, many critics argue that the heroine Yujin is a woman of indecisive and selfish personality. Is this true? A close analysis of the scenario will prove it otherwise. It is that Yujin is portrayed as an independent and altruistic woman. This is why she goes through a psychological conflict, torn with anguish between two men. This is also the case with the hero Minyon=Chyunsan, who is distressed about his identity and altruism. Thus the story of ups and downs has attracted so many TV fans. Seen from a viewpoint of the relationship between the conservative and the progressive, this drama is produced under some influence of Korean feminism. It seems that this has made Winter Sonata more than a simple melodrama. The difference of opinion between the scenario writers (two young women) and the director, however, have kept the drama going within a moderate range of feministic influence. In consequence, this has led Winter Sonata to achieve even a greater success in Japan.