School bullying, college student perceptions, social issues
Abstract
This study aims to explore how the Korean drama “The Glory” influenced college students’ perceptions and attitudes towards school bullying between 2023 and 2024. Through a questionnaire survey of 276 freshmen to senior students at C University in Bengbu City, Anhui Province, along with one focus group and two in-depth interviews, the research found that “The Glory” significantly increased college students’ awareness of school bullying. The drama strengthened students’ reflection on the root causes of school bullying, promoted their pursuit of justice and rights protection, and emphasized the importance of mental health development. It also enhanced students’ anti-bullying awareness and self-reflection, increased their attention to the balance between artistic expression and social issues, and encouraged them to seek more TV series addressing social topics. This study reveals the role of “The Glory” in shaping college students’ value orientations and analyzes the function of Korean popular culture in raising social awareness, providing a new perspective for understanding the dissemination effects and influence of Korean bullying-themed TV series on Chinese university campuses.
