This study examines the evolution of modern dance culture amidst the historical tribulations of the colonial era by analyzing dance photographs published in 1920s newspapers. Utilizing a literature review methodology, the research analyzes 317 photographs from Maeil Sinbo (154), Joseon Ilbo [Chosun Ilbo] (93), and Dong-a Ilbo (70). The analysis revealed three key findings. First, the photographs visually corroborate the heteronomous nature of dance culture under colonial rule. Second, they demonstrate the systematic assimilation of Japanese dance into colonial Korea. These images expose an imperialist agenda designed to manage and mobilize the colonized population under the pretext of artistic exchange. Third, despite such oppression, the photographs capture the emergence of a modern and subjective dance culture. This study holds significant value by providing a comprehensive pictorial understanding of the performing arts landscape during the Japanese occupation through the lens of newspaper photography. By re-evaluating these visual archives, the research illuminates the complex interplay between colonial hegemony and the pursuit of modern cultural identity in 1920s Korea.

This study aims to understand the dance culture of the Joseon Dynasty through ‘dance paintings of imagined space’ and ‘dance paintings of folk space’. I used the methods of iconography and literature research. The results of the study are as follows. First, the performers of the dance were diverse, ranging from fairies to religious monks and shamans, entertainers such as gisaeng and sadangpae, dancers, noblemen, and farmers. Second, the background of the dance was mainly a feast. Third, the dance stage was set up outdoors with mats. Fourth, the types of dance were diverse. Fifth, the dance formation was mainly a duet. Sixth, the reason why the dance paintings were abundant is because the Joseon people enjoyed dancing, and dance was a very useful symbol when expressing exciting moments in life. The significance of the study is that the rich dance culture of the Joseon people was confirmed through paintings.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the images of dancing women in the Korean novels from the 1910s to the 1950s and to investigate the relevant social discourse and cultural context at that time. This study focuses on the Korean novels as the research materials and the media to reflect the people’s awareness and social aspects of the times. The 6 novels selected through the material collecting process over 3 sessions are 『Moojeong』, 『Bokdeokbang』, 『Mooseong-gyeokja』, 『Seoul』, 『Sawhasan』, 『Silbimyeong』. The substantive characteristics and relational characteristics of dancing women appeared in the novels are arranged by type through text analysis. Their social implications are also explored. As a result, the images of dancing women appeared in the Korean novels are as follows. First, as the substantive characteristics of dancing women in the Korean novels, the number of dancing women appeared in the 6 novels is total 8. Their occupations and social activities are found to be Gisaengs, dancers, the students to prepare for being dancers. Second, as the relational characteristics of dancing women in the Korean novels, the relationships between main characters and dancing women are found to be classified into sexual relations and familiar relations. Third, the social implications of dancing women in the Korean novels are deducted from the opposite social awareness on Gisaeng and modern-girl dancer and the demands of the times on dancing women. It is expected that dance culture research would be enhanced and the close relationship between women and dance would be investigated if the follow-up studies to analyze the contemporary novels from the 1960s to the 2000s with the identical standards to this study are conducted. In addition, it is also expected that this study can contribute to the research on the Korean modern dance culture.

The aim of this research is to understand the dancing culture of the Joseon Dynasty period(1392～1910) by examining dancing pictures in multi-level. The objects of the analysis are 22 pictures of dancing in royal space, 37 pictures if one counts copies and different editions. Iconography and literature research are used as basic research methods, and comparative study is used as well. Chronologically speaking, the pictures of dancing in royal space had been drawn from Jungjong(1488～1544, r.1506~1544) to Gojong(1852~1919, r.1863~1907) in Joseon Dynasty. In terms of space, royal palace is the space where the royal family and officials enjoyed dancing. In terms of audience-performer, there are only male audiences in dancing pictures from Jungjong to Yeongjo(1694~1776, r.1724~1776) but female audiences appear from Jeongjo(1572~1800, r.1776~1800). The performers in the dancing pictures are various like female dancers entertainer called as ginyeo, boy dancers called as mudong, cheoyong dancers, and even officials. In later times, the dancing ginyeo becames noticeable. It has been proven by the pictures of dancing officials that the officials were dancing in the party with a king. In terms of the way of drawing dancing, it has been started from Jeongjo that multiple jeongjae appear in one scene as if they are performed simultaneously. In Soonjo(1790~1834, r.1800~1834), dance painting accurately reflected the performance. All the dances performed were pictured. Gradually, however, during the Korean Empire, only some of the dances performed were painted. Popular dance was drawn frequently. I suggest that the importance of dance in record pictures of royal space is directly proportional to the importance of dance in real culture.

The aim of this research is to understand the dance culture in the government office space of the Joseon Dynasty (1392 ~ 1910). The objects of the analysis are 32 pictures of dancing in local government office space. Iconography and literature research are used as basic research methods, and comparative study is used as well. Chronologically, pictures of dancing in local government space appeared from 1580 to 1796, geographically from Pyeongando to Jeju Island. Most of the dance genres shown in the pictures were jeongjae. The performers in the pictures of dancing included female dancing entertainers called as ginyeo, boy dancers called as mudong, cheoyong dancers, and clowns also. Furthermore, the pictures revealed that a government officer and old men invited at the banquet danced together in the local government office space. This was because dancing was recognized as something wonderful that only a peaceful time allowed. In the Joseon Dynasty, the government office space was the place where people could enjoy dancing.

This research attempted to clarify trends of Korean dances during the 1960s by analyzing dance video data from the National Gugak Center’s Garfias Collection. The Garfias Collection is an archive of Korean performing arts that was donated by American music anthropologist Robert Garfias in 2019. In 1966, Garfias stayed in Korea for several months and recorded Korean traditional performing arts through photographs and videos. In this collection, there are 14 video clips of Korean dances of the 1960s, which can be classified into three sections: court dance, Buddhist dance, and folk dance. Various literature surveys and expert interview were conducted to investigate the background and activity status of the performers at the time, as well as the costumes, dance movements and the composition patterns of each dance. In the case of court dance, they were performed before systematic restoration based on literature had been carried out, and it was found that the progress was faster and contained more creative elements than the current one. In Buddhist dance, it has proceeded almost identically to what is currently being performed, but it can be said that the pace of progression is faster and the individuality of the dancer stands out. Finally, in folk dance, it provided an opportunity to gain a new perspective on the formation of traditional dance since the video showed a very different aspect from the dance that is currently being transmitted.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the dance practiced in private spaces during the Joseon dynasty by analyzing paintings and literature. This study is the third part of a series of research exploring paintings depicting dances in various performance venues in the Joseon dynasty. While the first two researches were about dances performed in royal palaces and in public places respectively, this article analyzes paintings and literature of dances in private spaces in the following three ways.

First, dances performed in the personal social gatherings were divided into three types according to the subject: dances performed at social gatherings for the elderly, reunions of officials who passed the national civil service examination in the same year, and social gatherings for the middle class. These dances were performed to strengthen the community spirit or to appreciate the performances of professional young male dancers called mudong.

Second, dances performed to celebrate the longevity of parents on their birthdays are analyzed. In such events, the mother was considered the most important character as well as audience, and the concept of “filial piety” was emphasized in the “Son’s Dance.”

Finally, dances conducted in private folk venues are examined. Some of these paintings portray a son who dances as a “performer” to celebrate his parents’ diamond wedding anniversary. Other paintings depict a clown dancing in a three-day parade where a person who passed the national civil service examination visits his examiners, high-ranking senior officials, and his relatives.