Transformation of Korean Soccer and Nationalism

―World Cup, National Team, Celebrity―

Abstract

　This study examines what kind of national discourse has been constructed through soccer in post-war Korean society. The characteristic of the national discourse in post-war Korean society is anti-nationalism, which is a manifestation of hostility to North Korea, and anti-Japanese nationalism, which comes from hostility toward Japan due to colonial experience. This form of nationalism has been reflected in soccer, and nationalism has been built through soccer relay viewing. However, after the 2002 World Cup, the national discourse changed through soccer. This is not a simple ideological function of establishing nationalism through the existing soccer, but a new type of national discourse based on the arrival of consumer society and diversity has emerged. Along with these changes in the times, a new form of national discourse was formed through soccer. It is going to be a trend of globalization, and the individuality of soccer players will become a reality. In other words, discourse on celebrity led to the construction of nationalism.
　The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between soccer player’s celebrity and nationalism, focusing on soccer player Park Ji-sung and Son Hung-min. The relationship between soccer player’s celebrity and nationalism arises from the production of a new type of national discourse, the articulation of soccer fandom culture, and the stalemate with capitalism. In other words, the soccer player’s celebrity has more diversified and complex discourse production, and the transformation of nationalism in it is being done.