In the 21st century, South Korean series have evolved into powerful tools for global cultural communication, particularly through the lens of culinary heritage. This research examines the intersection of food culture and social stratification as presented in Korean streaming series released between 2020 and 2023 (B.E. 2563–2566). Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the study employs textual analysis and semiology to decode how "Hansik" (traditional food) is used to construct class identities—specifically focusing on the working and middle classes. The analysis integrates concepts of representation and myth to explore how storytelling, camera techniques, and food symbolism (such as fermentation processes and street food) reinforce or challenge social hierarchies. Preliminary findings suggest that food serves as a non-verbal signifier of class struggle and cultural capital, acting as a "soft power" mechanism that translates complex Korean social structures for a global audience.
Keywords: Korean Series, Cultural Communication, Class Image Construction, Food Culture (Hansik), Semiology, Streaming Media