An Analysis of Korean Intellectual Responses to the Exhibition of Koreans at Japanese Expositions: Nationalism and the Discourse on Northeast Asian Solidarity at the Turn of the Century

Abstract

This paper examines Japanese exhibitions of Korean people and culture at the Anthropological Pavilion of the Fifth National Industrial Exposition held in Osaka in 1903 and the Crystal Pavilion of the Tokyo Industrial Exposition of 1907. These two exhibitions represent the discourse on social Darwinism in Northeast Asia before Korea`s colonization by Japan. In particular, the responses of Korean intellectuals in these displays reveal complicated discourses, including the ideals of “Solidarity among the Northeastern countries” and loyalty among those of a “Common Race and Common Culture” in Northeast Asia and the outpouring of patriotic nationalism for resistance to Japan. In the end their response to the exhibitions can be seen as a portrait of Korean intellectuals who, after hoping for strategic solidarity among members of the yellow race, turned instead to nationalism.