The Mediation Effect of Media in Collective Memory: A Study on the Intergenerational Transmission of the Korean War in China

Abstract

The deeds of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army during the Korean War hold a significant place in the cherished national memory of China. As oral history gradually fades away, the challenge of preserving and transmitting this memory has emerged as a new imperative in the digital age. Grounded in the perspective of media memory, this study examines the narrative patterns of media productions cross distinct eras following the Korean War. Employing in-depth interviews, grounded coding, and intergenerational comparisons, this study establishes a comprehensive model of “generative mechanism - intergenerational performance”, which elucidates the collective memory of the Korean War, delving into the intricate relationships between 3 generations. This study also explores the mediation role of media in shaping and transmitting these memories. It is found that there are three types of mutually inclusive media narratives having advantages in the transmission of collective memory, and the intergenerational performances of the Korean War exhibits both similarities and differences under the mediation effect of media.