The Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Companion Animal Discourse in South Korea

This study examines the changes in discourse on companion animals in South Korean society from 1990 to 2023 through an analysis of newspaper articles. By investigating the periods when significant shifts in discourse occurred and examining the characteristics of these changes in conjunction with key socio-economic and cultural events, this research provides a macro-level analysis of the meanings and contexts of companion animal culture in Korea. The findings reveal that companion animal culture is intricately linked to axes such as class, gender, and generation, embedding sharply contested elements. Moreover, perceptions and attitudes toward companion animals over time have functioned as elements of boundary work.