Modality Journal: International Journal of Linguistics and Literature
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): December 2025

Gender Inequality Through Language Use in Korean Drama Series When Life Gives You Tangerines

Salsabila Fairu Mufida (Universitas Ahmad Dahlan)
Tri Rina Budiwati (Universitas Ahmad Dahlan)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study aims to describe the linguistic units used in the dialogues between characters that reveal differences in men’s and women’s language use, and to analyze the contextual meanings and gender inequality that appeared in the Korean drama series When Life Gives You Tangerines. This research is categorized as a descriptive qualitative study employing a sociolinguistic approach, specifically drawing on the theories of Peter Trudgill (2000) and Janet Holmes (2013). The data, in the form of phrases, clauses, and sentences that represent gender inequality, were taken from the selected dialogues in the series and analyzed through identification, classification, and interpretation, based on Judith Lorber's (2001) framework. The study found that, based on the contextual meaning of two phrases, six clauses, and four sentences, a patriarchal ideology exists in Korean society. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that gender inequality is evident in the Korean drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. These include unequal access, economic gaps, political underrepresentation, and societal stereotypes.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

modality

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Modality Journal: International Journal of Linguistics and Literature is accommodates scientific articles in the form of article publication, book reviews, original research report, reviews and scientific commentaries related to linguistics and literature.This journal invites researcher, academics ...