REPRESENTATION OF ALPHA FEMALE CHARACTER IN THE K-DRAMA “QUEEN OF TEARS”

Hanumurty, Marcella Vyskarrin (2025) REPRESENTATION OF ALPHA FEMALE CHARACTER IN THE K-DRAMA “QUEEN OF TEARS”. Undergraduate thesis, Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Diponegoro.

Abstract

This study examines the representation of alpha female characters in the Korean drama
Queen of Tears, focusing on how the drama challenges or reinforces traditional gender roles
in a patriarchal society. Using John Fiske’s semiotics approach and the critical social science
paradigm, this research analyzes selected scenes to uncover symbolic portrayals of female
leadership, independence, and power dynamics. The findings reveal that Queen of Tears
portrays its female protagonist as a strong, confident leader who defies societal expectations
while also facing resistance from male characters and traditional family structures. This
depiction highlights the ongoing negotiation between modern feminist ideals and deeply
rooted patriarchal values. The study explains that while the drama offers a progressive
representation of women, it still reflects cultural compromises that align with Korean and
Asian gender norms. The implications of this research extend to media studies and gender
discourse, emphasizing the role of media in shaping perceptions of female empowerment.
This study provides value by contributing to feminist media studies and offering insights into
the evolving portrayal of women in contemporary Asian media, particularly in the globalized
context of K-dramas.
Keywords: Alpha Female, Korean Drama, Gender Representation, Semiotics,
Partriarchy
46 Ilmu Komunikasi 2025

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