(Re)negotiating authenticity through virtual travel: a case study of Law of the Jungle, a Korean reality travel program

Sohye Kim, Sanghun Park, Carla A. Santos, Kimberly J. Shinew

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The current study investigates tourists’ discourse regarding authenticity in the postmodern tourism context by employing the intertwined concepts of authenticity and gaze to examine Law of the Jungle, a Korean reality travel program. Findings from our thematic content analysis of data suggest that the program provides viewers with a dual structure through which to view and negotiate the tourism setting of the show, and that the authenticity of the program is perceived from three main perspectives: objective, subjective, and postmodernist. Findings are contextualized within extant literature on authenticity, orientalism, the tourist gaze, and the second gaze.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)348-364
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Travel and Tourism Marketing
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 24 2018

Keywords

  • Authenticity
  • Korean reality travel program
  • postmodern
  • tourist gaze

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
  • Marketing

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