디지털 공간에 구현된 한식―《용과 같이(龍が如く)》시리즈 속 음식과 정체성의 서사

Abstract

This study analyzes how Korean cuisine is portrayed within the Japanese Game Franchise Series Like a Dragon(龍が如く) and how this reflects Japanese society’s perception of both Korean cuisine and Zainichi Koreans. A distinctive feature of Like a Dragon(龍が如く) series is its realistic and densely detailed world-building, grounded in the sense of place. The game’s food-related content aligns with this characteristic, intricately replicating various dishes and venues. Notably, food in the game serves not only as a means of restoring health but also as a key element in narrative progression and character identity formation. Korean cuisine-related content serves as an important symbolic element, representing the national and ethnic identities of Korea and Zainichi Koreans. The series meticulously recreates real-life settings by replicating the interior design, menu offerings, and descriptions of Korean restaurants located in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama. This approach allows players to engage in a cultural experience akin to culinary tourism within a virtual world. From its earlier installments, the series has featured Korean cuisine, but this presence has become increasingly prominent since Like a Dragon 7. The portrayal of Korean restaurants, complete with visible Korean text and audio, highlights the existence of Zainichi Koreans within the game’s narrative. This shift coincides with the series’ move away from its original Yakuza-centric storyline, introducing more diverse characters and reflecting the growing influence of K-culture, leading to the emergence of new Zainichi Korean characters. The Korean restaurants depicted in the Like a Dragon(龍が如く) series demonstrate a diverse range of culinary offerings and cultural hybridity, reflecting the shared ethnic identities of Koreans and Japanese among Zainichi Koreans. Notably, the menus and their composition in the game signify differing national and ethnic identities. Korean cuisine, particularly kimchi, becomes a symbolic marker of Korean identity, representing something more than mere sustenance. Kimchi, in particular, occupies a central position as a symbolic icon of Korean cuisine in the game. However, the depiction of kimchi’s key ingredient as a fictional Japanese chili pepper variety called “Oni no Tsume” raises concerns about potential distortion of Korean culinary identity. This indicates the game’s potential to convey social and political meanings that extend beyond its virtual landscape. Moreover, analyzing the cooking methods of Korean cuisine in the game through the lens of Lévi-Strauss’s theory reveals the binary opposition of civilization versus savagery, as well as the themes of destruction and regeneration. The study confirms that Korean cuisine in the game is imbued with narrative significance within this framework. In conclusion, the portrayal of Korean cuisine in the Like a Dragon(龍が如く) series holds significant meaning as a reflection of Japanese perspectives on Zainichi Koreans and the cultural status of Korean cuisine in Japan. Within the game, Korean cuisine functions as more than a tool for restoring health—it serves as a symbol encapsulating the identity of Koreans and Zainichi Koreans as perceived by Japanese society. This study contributes to understanding how game content can reconstruct social perceptions and cultural identities in the real world.