한국 미디어가 중국의 스포츠 주체와 실제를 보도/재현하는 양상과 방식에 대한 비판적 담론분석 연구: 임효준, 우레이, 항저우 아시안게임 e스포츠를 중심으로

Abstract

This study explores how Korean media reports and frames Chinese sports figures and events, focusing on Lim Hyo-jun’s naturalization, Wu Lei’s prominence, and the esports competition in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Sports, as a socio-cultural phenomenon, often serve as a platform for expressing national identity and international rivalry. Media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions by constructing selective narratives that emphasize national pride and competition. In the case of Lim Hyo-jun, the media framed his naturalization as an act of betrayal, heightening nationalistic sentiments. Wu Lei’s portrayal involved “over-representation,” positioning him as a symbol of China’s growing football power and emphasizing rivalry. Coverage of esports during the Hangzhou Asian Games focused on themes of favoritism and unfairness, portraying China as a competitor challenging Korea’s dominance. These narratives illustrate how media frames influence public attitudes and reinforce nationalistic discourse. Furthermore, the media’s repeated use of specific frames highlights how sports coverage transcends mere event reporting and functions as a means of constructing national identity. By presenting China as a rising threat and Korea as a nation needing to defend its status, Korean media shapes public discourse in ways that strengthen collective solidarity and vigilance. This process also reveals how media can perpetuate existing geopolitical tensions through symbolic representation in sports contexts. Using Stuart Hall’s Representation Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the study examines how media narratives construct meanings and shape socio-cultural perceptions. Hall’s theory explains how media actively creates meanings rather than merely reflecting reality, while CDA reveals how language and narratives perpetuate power relations. This approach highlights the media’s role in fostering national identity and vigilance through sports coverage. The findings indicate that Korean media frequently employs nationalistic frames in sports reporting, transforming individual events into broader narratives of competition and identity. This research underscores the media’s power in shaping socio-cultural discourses and calls for critical engagement with sports narratives to promote balanced representations. Keywords: media representation, sports nationalism, over-representation, critical discourse analysis, Lim Hyo-jun, Wu Lei, Hangzhou Asian Games, esports