드라마 <미스터 션샤인>에 활용된 '어머니'의 표상 연구

초록

This study examines how the drama “Mr. Sunshine”, which captures the historical progression from the late Joseon period to the Japanese colonial era, utilizes the symbol of the “mother” to convey the sorrow of losing one’s country and the resulting pain to the public. At a time when Korean historical dramas are reaching global audiences through OTT platforms, discussing strategies that allow the unique Korean historical context to be understood and empathized with becomes crucial. “Mr. Sunshine” is a 24-episode drama aired on tvN in 2018, made a significant investment in the series and held exclusive broadcasting rights, with simultaneous worldwide broadcasts through both TV and OTT. “Mr. Sunshine” employs the “Mother” symbol to universalize the unique period of the “Japanese colonial era” for global viewers. The central characters in “Mr. Sunshine” come from diverse backgrounds; however, they share a common experience of having their mothers taken away during their vulnerable childhoods. Consequently, memories related to their mothers are deeply ingrained, continuously evoking anger, loss, sorrow, and pain. Children who were separated from their mothers faced the challenges of survival, and the lack of protection grew with immense determination. However, the pain is revisited when they lose their country to the Japanese. Ultimately, the “children who lost their mothers” become the “people who lost their country.” By using the symbol of the “mother,” “Mr. Sunshine” allows viewers to indirectly experience the oppression of the Japanese colonial era and its resulting tragedies, inspiring empathy and emotional engagement and ultimately playing a crucial role in facilitating a deeper understanding of the work’s emotions and themes.

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