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The Reflection and Task of the History of Korean Theatre - mainly on period classification and genre classification

Kim, Mido 1

1서울과학기술대학교

Candidate

ABSTRACT

This essay intends to explore and discuss the viewpoints and the their difference of period classification and genre classification described in the important works which have been published up to now. The most leading writers on Korean History of Theatre are Lee Do-Hyun, You Min-Young and Seo Yeon-Ho. And on the Period classification, the most contradictory point among these three writers is the concept of 'modern drama' and 'contemporary drama'. In my humble opinion on the starting point of the two dramas, it seems to be more advisable to contemplate from the more independent viewpoint and from the viewpoint of overcoming 'Tradition Discontinuity Theory'. Thus, I wonder if it would be agreeable to have Chang Geuk 'Eun-Se-Gye' performed in 1908 as the true starting point since there has been such an agreement that 'Eun-Se-Gye' showed the modern style and modernity awareness. Similarly, the opinion that the starting point of contemporary drama is the beginning of 1960 is also rooted on the theatre atmosphere of the time which western style play such as Theatre of the absurd, Epic Theatre, and Theatre of cruelty were around. It appears to be plausible to see that the true changes in Korean Theatre have begun from 1970's with new discussion on tradition and creative inheritance of traditional play. Through this, it can be said that we have passed over to 'creative contemporary plays' from 'transplanted modern plays.' On Genre division, there seems to be a great difference between A History of Korean Theatre written by Lee Doo-Hyun and A Complete History of Korean Theatre written by Seo Yeon-Ho. According to Lee, it is suggested that the greatest heritage of our traditional play is 'Mask Play', and he classified six types on the basis of lore type. While according to Seo, he roughly classified Gut, Talchum, Kkoktugaksinorum, Uheui and Pansori and as such they are all clearly differentiated. It seems remarkable that he established Gut as a separated form from Talchum and one form out of traditional play and also Uheui was highlighted as a meaningful genre. As it comes to modern drama, Genre classification seems to be agreed for the most part. Seo, in the A Complete History of Korean Theatre described 'melodrama and Popular Theatre' / 'Chang Geuk and Ak Geuk' / Realistic Drama / Proletarian Drama / pro-Japanese Drama for modern drama. This classification appears to be acceptable for modern drama period, but it is exposed to have a big confusion as it comes to contemporary drama period yet. It should be necessary, on this period, to be more vigorously and attentively studied in the many more directions such as playwriters, directors, actors, theatrical companies, and theatres before it is put into shape as a part of history of modern drama.

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