Colonial Modernity in the Popular Culture of the Modern City of Mokpo

Abstract

This essay examines colonial modernity in Mokpo in terms of the spatial distinction between the Korean villages and the Japanese villages and consequent cultural differences, and the reconciling role of popular cultural facilities situated between the two confronting villages in the modern city of Mokpo.<BR> In Mokpo, Koreans and Japanese had engaged in various social activities including religion, school, physical education, youth activities, and the like, in a clearly different space and environment from each other. Such clear spatial and environmental distinction between the two groups resulted in discrimination between the two, which led to the birth of colonialism. The colonialism of Mokpo can be found in the cultural tension created by the dualistic space and differences between these two spaces.<BR> However, popular culture and related facilities introduced in the space between the two played a mediating role in the discriminatory structure of the dualism in the modern city of Mokpo. Popular culture. which was introduced as part of modern civilization. rapidly spread in Mokpo as well as in other cities in Korea around 1930.<BR> The major genres of the popular culture at that time included popular songs, films, and modernized dramas (sinpa dramas). Popular facilities such as Mokpo Theater and Pyeonghwa-gwan were established in what could be viewed as a contradictory space between the two conflicting villages. Various popular cultural activities in that space eventually defined the colonial modernity of popular culture in Mokpo through the constant reproduction of popular. or, in other words, modern sentiments.