K-Drama Crossroads: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Cultural Resonances in Crash Landing on You from Pakistani Perspectives

Abstract

This study conducts a qualitative content analysis of the South Korean drama Crash Landing on You, focusing on the portrayal of romance, culture, and state conflicts. Using a structured coding sheet, key themes such as cross-cultural romance, tension, longing, and geopolitical dynamics are analyzed. Subthemes, including love triangles, capitalist versus socialist values, political tensions, and surveillance, are explored to understand their depiction within the drama. The romantic tension between the protagonists, marked by emotional restraint and longing, resonates with Pakistani viewers who are accustomed to conservative portrayals of love. The contrast between North and South Korean lifestyles also reflects cultural and societal differences that Pakistani audiences can relate to. The series emphasizes state conflict, portraying political tensions and surveillance as obstacles to personal freedom and relationships, which mirrors geopolitical dynamics familiar to Pakistani viewers. This analysis sheds light on how global media content resonates with and influences audiences through the interplay of romance, culture, and politics.