An Aesthetic Analysis on the Rising Television Style of Video Journalists

Technological and economic changes in Korean broadcasting industry has caused various stylistic transformations of the look and sound of Korean television programs. In particular, this paper pays an attention on the visual and aural aesthetics of “VJs on the scene” of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), that has been a trend-setter to define the notion of “soft documentary” genre in Korea. Utilizing rapid editing and uncanny use of narration, this television documentary creates an unique aesthetic style leading a series of shocks amidst of fast rhythm, a schizophonia in spatial listening experience for the audience, and an awkward separation between visual and aural perception. As an output of the economic crisis in South Korea, this television program sets a new experimental style in documentary production.