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@article{ART002233264},
author={Jang, Young Woo},
title={The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history},
journal={Chunwon Research journal },
issn={2636-1205},
year={2017},
number={10},
pages={11-42}

TY - JOUR
AU - Jang, Young Woo
TI - The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history
JO - Chunwon Research journal
PY - 2017
VL - null
IS - 10
PB - Chunwon Research Society
SP - 11
EP - 42
SN - 2636-1205
AB - This paper reviews and critiques Kwangsoo Lee's Moojeong, his leading articles, and his works produced at the late period of Japanese forced occupation through 'contextualization'. Through ‘contextualization’, Moojeong is considered as a new type of novel developed by inheriting or overturning the style of ancient novel, and borrowing the characteristics of modern novel. In this process, Kwangsoo Lee rewrote Young-Chae Jeon that he originally planned, and made the story into Moojeong. The process of rewriting Young-Chae Jeon into Moojeong brought certain changes in it's content and theme. As Young-Chae (from Young-Chae Jeon) represents a past figure in the moral world filled with "goodness" and "righteousness", Hyung-Sik represents a modern figure pursuing personal desires in the emotional world. A narrative strategy often found in nationalistic discourses is putting the emphasis on 'us' and considering 'we' are superior than 'others'. Kwangsoo Lee's article On National Reconstruction should be reviewed in a different perspective because the previous view which sees this article as a nationalistic essay might not be the right interpretation. While he highlighted the need of education and strength to overcome the desperate reality under Japanese rule, he did not show any interest in investing on talents of the people or encouraging them. His argument and attitude found in the On National Reconstruction emphasized the inferiority of Korean people, and his work was appropriated to an important narrative that supports the Japanese ruled policies and Japanese imperialism. Since the late 1930s, Kwangsoo Lee distanced himself from nationalism and the theory of evolution and started to devote himself to the theory of interdependent arising from Buddhism. By accepting Saṃsāra (the cyclicality of existence in which one can change his status in his next life based on their present mind and action), even if he acknowledged his shameful present situation under Japanese rule, he was not shameful to reveal his desire to be reincarnated in the ruling class of the powerful nation for his next life. He never abandoned his faith in the theory of evolution and his desire to become a citizen in a powerful nation. Therefore, Lee's incomprehensible attitude shown at the end of the period of Japanese forced occupation can be explained in this context.
KW - Kwangsoo Lee;Moojeong;The Heartlessness;nationalism;national reconstruction;theory of evolution;interdependent arising;contextualization.
DO -
UR -
ER -

Jang, Young Woo. (2017). The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history. Chunwon Research journal , 10, 11-42.

Jang, Young Woo. 2017, "The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history", Chunwon Research journal , no.10, pp.11-42.

Jang, Young Woo "The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history" Chunwon Research journal 10 pp.11-42 (2017) : 11.

Jang, Young Woo. The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history. 2017; 10 : 11-42.

Jang, Young Woo. "The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history" Chunwon Research journal no.10(2017) : 11-42.

Jang, Young Woo. The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history. Chunwon Research journal , 10, 11-42.

Jang, Young Woo. The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history. Chunwon Research journal . 2017; 10 11-42.

Jang, Young Woo. The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history. 2017; 10 : 11-42.

Jang, Young Woo. "The Contextualization of 『Moojeong 無情』 and its significance in Korean Modern literary history" Chunwon Research journal no.10(2017) : 11-42.