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National Ideology & SF, Korean Science Fictions for Young Adults — A Study on Korean Science Fictions in the Magazine Haksaeng Gwahak

Cho-Gye-Sook 1

1대진대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Haksaeng Gwahak, which stands for ‘the only science magazine for young adults’, was published in 1960’s. Science Fictions in the magazine are very important in the history of Korean literature. Park Chung-Hee administration made science policies including new national ideology. Space race overseas in 1960’s also inflated scientism. Haksaeng Gwahak followed policies of the administration very positively. Seo Kwang- oon, O Min-Young, Kang Sung-Chul and Yi Dong-Sung were main writers in the magazine. They reflected atmospheres of the time when they created novels. The new wave of scientism triggered ‘young soul’ and built a huge fantasy empire. In their science novels, heros emphasized scientific armament and never allowed science repression. There always was utopia in the end of stories instead of dystopia. The wave became more stronger when scientism was combined with patriotism. The idolization of General Yi Sun-Shin is one case of scientific patriotism in Park Chung-Hee administration. Novels continuously showed science-sociology applying to the space age. When a new type of novel, which allegorically attacked mindset of older generation, appeared in the end of 1970’s, Haksaeng Gwahak faced a turning point.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.