SCHWARZ, Michal. From Oppression to Modernity : Positive Innovations in the Use of Western Symbols in South Korean Pop Music and Culture. In Conference on Asian Linguistic Anthropology, University of the Philippines Dilimian, Manila, 16-19 May 2023. 2023.
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Basic information
Original name From Oppression to Modernity : Positive Innovations in the Use of Western Symbols in South Korean Pop Music and Culture
Authors SCHWARZ, Michal (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution).
Edition Conference on Asian Linguistic Anthropology, University of the Philippines Dilimian, Manila, 16-19 May 2023. 2023.
Other information
Original language English
Type of outcome Presentations at conferences
Field of Study 60401 Arts, Art history
Country of publisher Philippines
Confidentiality degree is not subject to a state or trade secret
WWW URL
RIV identification code RIV/00216224:14210/23:00134198
Organization unit Faculty of Arts
Keywords in English symbols;innovation;culture;Korean pop music
Tags rivok
Tags International impact
Changed by Changed by: Mgr. et Mgr. Lucie Racyn, učo 445546. Changed: 20/2/2024 14:17.
Abstract
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 understanding. As railway or train became the symbol of modernity in Europe (Weber 1976), it was also adopted as a sign of progress under the oppressive rule 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 a positive sign of shift to better future (e.g. Twice: Likey + I can’t stop it) 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 are also used in different way and I would connect them 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
GA23-06953S, research and development projectName: Evoluční interference náboženství a vlády ve Vnitřní Asii: srovnání vzájemných impaktů s tributárními zeměmi: Mongolskem, Koreou a Vietnamem
Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Evolutionary interferences of religion and governance in Inner Asia: comparison of mutual impacts with tributary countries: Mongolia, Korea, Vietnam
PrintDisplayed: 15/10/2024 20:13