Due to a TV trend, MASH is currently hard to watch due to the most inaccurate details about the Korean War

The rise of specific genres in recent years makes it difficult to get past MASHis the most inaccurate detail about the Korean War. Although the film was released in the early 1970s, author Larry Gelbart decided to stick to Richard Hooker’s 1968 novel. MASH: A novel about three army doctors for the background of the CBS show. There was Theories that MASH was a commentary on the divisive Vietnam War, which was at the bottom of the first year of medical comedy/drama, although there is no confirmation of this. Regardless, the style of storytelling has always remained and will always remain relevant.

While the plot of MASH mostly takes place within the confines of the 4077 MASH unit, Alan Alda’s Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce and his colleagues sometimes ventured outside their territory. Sometimes they were visited by locals, especially when they needed help, and most of the time they were happy to help. This helps MASH It feels like it’s really set in Uijeongbu, South Korea, in the middle of the Korean War. However, this also leads to one of the series’ most common and glaring inaccuracies. This is something that’s been made even more prominent by a new TV trend.

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K-dramas highlight inaccuracies in MASH’s Korean language

The native Koreans of MASH mostly speak Hangeul incorrectly

There is no normal Korean character in MASHbut aside from one-time guests, there are recurring supporting cast members who live nearby and who Hawkeye and the rest of the 4077 tend to interact with. Many of the locals can communicate with the medical staff in English, and that’s how they usually speak to each other. The doctors and nurses also now know a few short phrases in Korean to help those who don’t speak English. While Americans understandably struggle with the Korean language (Hangul), Koreans’ pronunciation and even the words they use are mostly incorrect as well.

This wasn’t a problem when the show premiered in the ’70s, but now it’s one of the harsh realities of rewatching MASHand that is largely due to the rising popularity of Korean dramas. Netflix is ​​currently leading the effort to bring Korean entertainment to a global audience, and although many of the shows are dubbed, they can also be consumed with the original Hangeul and subtitles. Anyone who watches a 16-episode K-drama like, Crash landing on you or Queen of Tears with the latter setup would find it daunting to listen to the alleged Koreans MASH Speak Hangul.

What else did MASH get wrong about the Korean War?

The conflict at MASH lasted far too long compared to the real Korean War

Apart from teaching and using the Korean language, there are a few other things that MASH is wrong about the Korean War. First of all, the Korean War only lasted three years, but the series takes place much longer. There are several season changes, which messes up the timeline. Second, MASH Captain Oliver Harmon “Spearchucker” Jones, played by Timothy Brown, was cut after it was learned that there were supposedly no African-American surgeons during the Korean War. However, later research revealed that there were black MASH surgeons during the Korean War.

MASH

Originally based on the 1970 film of the same name, M*A*S*H is a mix of comedy, drama, and everything in between. The film follows the lives of military doctors stationed in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War.

Pour

Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr and David Ogden Stiers

Release date

17 September 1972

Seasons

11

Streaming service(s)

Hulu, Apple TV+