@article{ART003275425},
author={Kim, Yei-joo and Yoo, Choon-dong},
title={The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels},
journal={International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구},
issn={2951-2808},
year={2025},
volume={7},
number={7},
pages={57-74}
TY - JOUR
AU - Kim, Yei-joo
AU - Yoo, Choon-dong
TI - The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels
JO - International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구
PY - 2025
VL - 7
IS - 7
PB - K-culture Convergence Research Society
SP - 57
EP - 74
SN - 2951-2808
AB - Objectives: This study aims to explore the development of romance novels in Korean literary history, viewing love and romance as socially and culturally shaped rather than purely personal emotions. It traces representations of love from early Korean literature to the pre-liberation period. The study also connects these with modern popular media, showing continuity and change. Ultimately, it seeks to reinterpret the literary and social significance of the romance novel.
Methods: The research reviews historical changes in the concepts of love and romance. It analyzes representative romance novels from each era as primary texts. Modern dramas, films, and OTT content are also examined for continuity and transformation. In addition, surrounding discourses such as capitalism, market forces, and female readership are considered.
Conclusions: Findings show that romance novels mirror each era’s socio-cultural context. They represent collective desires and ideologies, not just personal emotions. In feudal times, romance reflected free love; in modern times, autonomous choice; and today, ambiguous “some” relationships. Romance novels both reinforce capitalist ideologies and offer readers spaces of identification and consolation.
KW - Love;Romance;Romance Novels;Historical Aspects;Popular Culture;Capitalism;Female Readers
DO -
UR -
ER -
Kim, Yei-joo and Yoo, Choon-dong. (2025). The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels. International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구, 7(7), 57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo and Yoo, Choon-dong. 2025, "The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels", International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구, vol.7, no.7 pp.57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo, Yoo, Choon-dong "The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels" International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구 7.7 pp.57-74 (2025) : 57.
Kim, Yei-joo, Yoo, Choon-dong. The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels. 2025; 7(7), 57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo and Yoo, Choon-dong. "The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels" International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구 7, no.7 (2025) : 57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo; Yoo, Choon-dong. The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels. International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구, 7(7), 57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo; Yoo, Choon-dong. The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels. International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구. 2025; 7(7) 57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo, Yoo, Choon-dong. The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels. 2025; 7(7), 57-74.
Kim, Yei-joo and Yoo, Choon-dong. "The Historical Representation of Love and Romance: Discourses and Meanings in Romance Novels" International Journal of K-Culture/K-Culture융합연구 7, no.7 (2025) : 57-74.
