Nationalism, Transnationalism, and Sport: A Case Study on Michelle Wie

This paper examines nationalism in Korean popular culture in the era of transnationalism by delving into the case of Michelle Wie, a Korean-American and a global sports star. I focus on the mass media’s representation of her both in Korea and the U.S. I also explore the responses of people in both countries, paying special attention to the discussions in cyberspace. Analysis of Korean newspaper articles reveals a strong ethnic nationalist sentiment that reflects the atmosphere of Korean society. In contrast, the U.S. mass media has never raised any issues about her nationality, because, according to the civic nationalist view that is popular in the U.S., there is no room for doubt about it. The hottest topics of discussion about her in several Korean websites are her nationality and Korean mass media’s handling of her. Debates are ongoing between those who stick to the viewpoint of ethnic nationalism and those who maintain a civic nationalist view. Here we witness the encounters of two nationalisms not only between the media in Korea and the U.S., but also among internet users in Korea. The latter may be interpreted as Koreans moving away from the traditional, descent-based, and emotional nationalism in Korean society.

keywords: Cyberspace, media representation, nationalism, sport, and transnationalism.

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Article Contents

Vol.7 No.2

Nationalism, Transnationalism, and Sport: A Case Study on Michelle Wie

Abstract

Reference

The Review of Korean Studies