The Tao of K-drama: Reflections on Displacement, Trauma, and Recovery

This presentation will focus on South Korean television series known as “K-drama,” a genre that tells stories in 16-20 one-hour episodes. The stories focus on individuals in crisis, who resolve their issues in several steps that lead to a deeper engagement with their friends and family. This “team” then is able to tackle larger problems of the society. This optimistic drama form offers insight, drawn from the syncretic philosophical and religious traditions of Korea, into the recovery of individuals and groups, from an array of traumas and social upheavals. Implications for cross-cultural understanding and considerations for US mental health systems will be discussed.