Class Struggle, Capitalism and Commodification in “The 8 Show”: A Marxist Analysis

Abstract

This research aims to explore the concepts of class struggle, capitalism, and commodification in the chosen Netflix series The 8 Show (2024) through the lens of Marxism. Theory The present study is based on analysing the characters from The 8 Show (2024) and the kind of life that they are living in a capitalist society. By applying the concepts of Karl Marx, this study seeks to elucidate how elite forces shape and mold the identities of individuals who are subordinates or based on their lower ranks or status in society. Qualitative method is opted for this research and textual analysis is done by applying Marxist theory to the chosen series. The 8 Show (2024) is a true depiction of the reality of the life of the people who live in a society where the class system prevails and people get different treatment depending on their social status and position in the face of a capitalist society. This research investigates that the chosen series shows the brutal reality of the contemporary capitalist society and culture, with the upper class governing and showing their power meanwhile the lower class faces hardships to survive in the society. Han Jae-rim’s drama series The 8 Show (2024) has proved to mirror the Marxist critique of capitalist society. This paper highlights the necessity of awakening the world's consciousness in terms of class conflict and structural exploitation of the people in the contemporary societies of the world.