From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western
symbols in Korean pop and East Asia

k 2022

From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western symbols in Korean pop and East Asia

SCHWARZ, Michal

Basic information

Original name

From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western symbols in Korean pop and East Asia

Authors

SCHWARZ, Michal

Edition

SOAS GLOCAL CALA 2022, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City (part 1, online), 2022

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Prezentace na konferencích

Field of Study

60403 Performing arts studies

Country of publisher

Philippines

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

Abstract

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords in English

changes, symbols, train, apple, Korean pop

Abstract

V originále

This paper analyzes East Asian modernity in the use of Western symbols accommodated in Korean culture, their gradual semantic as well as pragmatic shift and contemporary spread. As railway or train became the symbol of modernity in Europe (Weber 1976), it was also adopted as a sign of progress in South Korea (Han Seung-Mi 2004) when diesel locomotives and their sound represented negative control of people (Han Youngsue 2020). With more positive development at the end of the 20th century, this optically same motif has lost its negative value and now is more positive sign of the shift to better future (e.g. Twice: Likey + I can’t stop me) or symbolic gate to another space (BTS: Run). Similarly the Biblical parable of knowledge (= snake or eating of an apple) was adopted by Korean Christians. Despite their original motif of punishment (Gain, Paradise Lost), these symbols have also changed and might be connected to East Asian feminine modernity (cf. Lin & Avin 2008) and strength, when knowledge is equal to desire for a better future (e.g.: Twice: More & More). The analysis allows to conclude that these symbols are gradually disconnected from their original or moral content (GFRIEND: Apple; Gain: Apple; in secondary moments e.g. in Twice: Yes or yes; Blackpink: How you like that; Hyuna: Red). This semantical shift correlates with economic success of South Korea and analogical reception of these symbols in post-colonial Asia.

Links

GA19-07619S, research and development project

Name: Mongolské rituální rukopisy v české sbírce: jejich edice, historie a středoasijské kořeny

Investor: Czech Science Foundation

Citovat

SCHWARZ, Michal. From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western symbols in Korean pop and East Asia. In SOAS GLOCAL CALA 2022, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City (part 1, online). 2022.

@proceedings{2241646,
   author = {Schwarz, Michal},
   booktitle = {SOAS GLOCAL CALA 2022, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City (part 1, online)},
   keywords = {changes, symbols, train, apple, Korean pop},
   language = {eng},
   title = {From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western symbols in Korean pop and East Asia},
   url = {https://cala2021.upd.edu.ph/57-2/},
   year = {2022}
}

TY  - CONF
ID  - 2241646
AU  - Schwarz, Michal
PY  - 2022
TI  - From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western symbols in Korean pop and East Asia
KW  - changes, symbols, train, apple, Korean pop
UR  - https://cala2021.upd.edu.ph/57-2/
N2  - This paper analyzes East Asian modernity in the use of Western symbols accommodated in Korean culture, their gradual semantic as well as pragmatic shift and contemporary spread. As railway or train became the symbol of modernity in Europe (Weber 1976), it was also adopted as a sign of progress in South Korea (Han Seung-Mi 2004) when diesel locomotives and their sound represented negative control of people (Han Youngsue 2020). With more positive development at the end of the 20th century, this optically same motif has lost its negative value and now is more positive sign of the shift to better future (e.g. Twice: Likey + I can’t stop me) or symbolic gate to another space (BTS: Run). Similarly the Biblical parable of knowledge (= snake or eating of an apple) was adopted by Korean Christians. Despite their original motif of punishment (Gain, Paradise Lost), these symbols have also changed and might be connected to East Asian feminine modernity (cf. Lin & Avin 2008) and strength, when knowledge is equal to desire for a better future (e.g.: Twice: More & More). The analysis allows to conclude that these symbols are gradually disconnected from their original or moral content (GFRIEND: Apple; Gain: Apple; in secondary moments e.g. in Twice: Yes or yes; Blackpink: How you like that; Hyuna: Red). This semantical shift correlates with economic success of South Korea and analogical reception of these symbols in post-colonial Asia.
ER  -

SCHWARZ, Michal. From oppression to freedom: changes in the use of Western symbols in Korean pop and East Asia. In \textit{SOAS GLOCAL CALA 2022, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City (part 1, online)}. 2022.

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