The Making of a Male Makeover: Exploring the “Deglamorization” of Male Protagonists in Korean Dramas

Abstract

Abstract

 The phenomenal success of Korean dramas has been attributed to various factors, one of which may be considered the male protagonist’s image of being a Prince Charming. As was pointed out in a previous article by the current researchers, the noticeable shift in the male characters' image is characterized by a more approachable vibe, usually portrayed through the adoption of casual clothing and hairstyles without styling gel. Hence, the present paper aims to: 1) identify such specific physical transformations in light of specific Korean dramas, and 2) to analyze the modes through which the attainability of the male protagonists in Korean dramas is manifested in their physical transformation. Moreover, the present paper aims to propose the term “deglamorization makeover”, which is defined as the change or transformation in the a) physical appearance, b) physical environment, and c) physical movement of the male lead characters, resulting in the perceived attainability and simplicity of such characters in the context of Korean dramas. The paper considered six Korean dramas that demonstrate this “deglamorization”. Hence, the attainability via deglamorization is reflected in the change of their appearance through various modes such as hairstyle, outfit, demeanor, and settings to showcase their willingness to adapt and adopt to the personality and style of the female characters. Moreover, the male character’s decision to transform (whether consciously or unconsciously) springs from his own volition, rather than him being influenced by external agencies or other characters, as opposed to the conventional makeover trope in female characters often observed in movies that include makeovers. Finally, it may be concluded that this willingness to adapt and adopt on the part of the male characters has been shown in the way they tone down, soften, even deglamorize or simplify their appearance as a form of adjustment and sacrifice so that the gap between the male and female protagonists becomes narrow.

Keywords: Korean dramas, makeover, deglamorization, physical transformation