Summary
The rise of specific genre in recent years makes it difficult to get pastMASH’s most inaccurate detail about the Korean War. Despite being released during the early ’70s, creator Larry Gelbart decided to stick with Richard Hooker’s 1968 novelMASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctorsfor the CBS show’s backdrop. There have beentheories thatMASHwas a commentary on the divisive Vietnam War,which was at its tail end during the medical comedy/drama’s first year, although there is no confirmation about this. Regardless, however, its storytelling remained and remains ever-relevant.
While MASH’s narrative was mostly set within the confines of the 4077 MASH unit,Alan Alda’s Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierceand his co-workers would sometimes venture out of their area. Other times, locals would visit them, especially whenever they need some assistance, and for the most part, they are happy to help. This helpsMASHfeel like it is really set in the middle of the Korean War at Uijeongbu, South Korea. However, this also leads to one of the most frequent and glaring inaccuracies in the series. It’s something that a new TV trend is further highlighting.
MASH: Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Is To Blame For BJ Hunnicut’s Most Divisive Change
BJ Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) goes through a character arc in MASH, but his most glaring change is because of Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce.
K-Dramas Highlight MASH’s Korean Language Inaccuracy
MASH’s Local Koreans Mostly Speak Hangeul Incorrectly
There is no regular Korean character inMASH, but aside from one-time guests, there are recurring supporting players who live nearby that Hawkeye and the rest of the 4077 tend to interact with. Many of the locals are able to communicate with the medical personnel in English, and that’s how they usually talk to each other. Meanwhile, the doctors and nurses also know a few short phrases in Korean to help those unable to speak English. While the Americans understandably struggle with the Korean language (Hangeul), the Koreans' delivery, and even the words used, are mostly incorrect as well.
Anyone who watches a 16-episode K-drama like Crash Landing on You or Queen of Tears with the latter set-up would find it off-putting listening to the supposed Koreans inMASHspeaking Hangeul.
This wasn’t an issue when the show premiered in the ’70s. However, it has now become one of theharsh realities of rewatchingMASH, and it’s mainly because of Korean dramas' rise in popularity. Netflix currently leads the endeavor to bring Korean entertainment to a global audience, and while many of the shows are dubbed, they can also be consumed with the original Hangeul accompanied by subtitles. Anyone who watches a 16-episode K-drama likeCrash Landing on YouorQueen of Tearswith the latter set-up would find it off-putting listening to the supposed Koreans inMASHspeaking Hangeul.
What Else Did MASH Get Wrong About The Korean War
MASH’s Conflict Lasted Way Too Long Compared To The Real Korean War
Other than the delivery and usage of the Korean language, there are also a couple of other things thatMASHgets wrong about the Korean War. For starters, the Koran War only lasted for three years, but the series takes place for far longer than that. It features several changes in seasons, which throws its timeline out of order. Secondly,MASHwrote outCapt. Oliver Harmon ‘Spearchucker’ Jones played by Timothy Brownafter learning that the Korean War supposedly didn’t feature any African-American surgeon. However, subsequent research reveals that there were Black MASH surgeons during the Korean War.
MAS*H
Cast
MAS*H is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.
