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The ‘macho’ hero of socialist novel, Jang Chong-chan of ‘Human Market’

  • Journal of Popular Narrative
  • 2022, 28(3), pp.209-241
  • DOI : 10.18856/jpn.2022.28.3.006
  • Publisher : The Association of Popular Narrative
  • Research Area : Interdisciplinary Studies > Interdisciplinary Research
  • Received : September 26, 2022
  • Accepted : October 11, 2022
  • Published : October 30, 2022

Jung, Eunkyoung 1

1중앙대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the characteristics of the popular novel ‘Human Market’ and the historical context of popular culture. The popularity of ‘Human Market’, which is a ‘Korea's first million-seller’, is largely due to the heroic performance of ‘Jang Chong-chan’, a master of martial and a defender of justice. Unlike the rebellious sons of the ‘decadent melodrama’ shown in the youth culture of the 70s, Jang Chong-chan is a fighter-type young man who fights against injustice. Frustrated once again by the violent realities of the Fifth Republic, such as the new military coup d'état and the 1980 Gwangju tragedy, the public felt catharsis at the Don Quixote-like activity of this rebellious young man. However, the justice that Jang Chong-chan protects is limited to back alley security and justice for people's livelihoods. Jang Chong-chan continues the genealogy of heroic and indigenous heroes such as ‘Hong Gil-dong’, ‘Im Kkeok-jeong’ and ‘Jang Gil-san’, but is much closer to the reality of the time in the 1970s and 1980s. The secret of the popularity of Human Market is closely related to the on-the-spot performance of reportage and non-fiction. Many of the contents of Human Market are not only fictionalized cases of events that appeared in journalism at the time, but also the narrative style shows characteristics that are close to reportage and non-fiction. Jang Chong-chan represents low-ranking men such as outsiders and losers. On their behalf, Jang Chong-chan intends to punish the corrupt first-class and realize a fair society. And the means are fists, martial arts, and solidarity with gangs across the country. Punishment of evil by these means aims at sensual and immediate vicarious satisfaction while ignoring the fundamental structure. Another code that penetrates Human Market along with violence is macho sexuality. Jang Chong-chan, who wants to become a 'padrone', is the hero of low-ranking men who are oppressed by those with fascism and have to hide their phallic macho consciousness. Human Market expresses the ideology of nationalism in the second half. The national hero is closely related to the phallic heroic figure of Jang Chong-chan, but this ideology only conceals the violent reality of the military dictatorship at the time and provides familiar and safe vicarious satisfaction to the public. In conclusion, Jang Chong-chan's violence and sexuality fighting against the corrupt reality of the time can be seen as a kind of simulacrum of the 80's. Jang Chong-chan's heroism is like decalcomanie, imitating the dictatorship of the 80s and hiding the fundamental violence.

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