<무한도전>에서의 ‘평균’ 남성상의 담화적 구축 = The discursive construction of the ‘average’ Korean man on Mwuhantocen ‘Infinite Challenge.’

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The present study investigates the discursive construction, consumption, reproduction, and perpetuation of the notion of ‘average’ on the popular weekly show Mwuhantocen ‘Infinite Challenge,’ which officially claims that the characters are “below average.” To do so, it examines the dialogues and on-screen messages in the 58 episodes from the initial and mid period and names the repeatedly dominant discourses from the perspective of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The findings demonstrate that the normalizing practices of the ‘average’ discourse are performed both at the physical and social levels. At the physical levels, the show constructs the ‘average’ height, weight, physique and facial ratios, hair, and strength, and at the social levels, the ‘average’ marital and childbirth status, age-appropriateness, and intellect and intelligence. Despite the claim that the characters are “below average,” which parodies the hegemonic masculinities, the show paradoxically ends up constructing the ‘average’ among Korean men in their 30’s and 40’s, and consuming, practicing, disseminating, and perpetuating the dominant discourse. In so doing, the study highlights the selectional hierarchizing of ‘average’ and the relative silence on some social ‘averages’ unlike the previous research that regards the show as a resistive parody against the hegemonic male discourse. Some implications are also discussed.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 1. 서론
• 2. 선행 연구
• 3. 연구 방법 및 자료
• 4. 분석 결과
• 5. 결론과 논의
• 참고문헌