This study aims to identify the artistic sociological aspects of Choi Seung-hee’s dance philosophy by comparing and analyzing it with Arnold Hauser’s theory of the sociology of art. As a research method, I analyze Choi Seung-hee’s magazine article, focusing on “The Korean People and Dance”, and examine conceptual similarities with Hauser’s theory. The findings reveal strong correlations between the two theories, particularly in the historical and social natures of art, the concept of alienation, the dual structure of popular and fine arts, and the critique of formalism. Considering the socio-cultural context of the 1930s, this study suggests that Hauser’s theory may have influenced Choi Seung-hee’s dance philosophy. This research presents an integrated approach combining practice and theory and emphasizes the need for further in-depth studies on the sociological aspects of Choi Seung-hee’s dance philosophy.

This paper examines the implications of the current status of street dance in Korea, which is rapidly growing aided by institutionalization in the cultural industry and education market. This study begins with the researchers' recognition that situations requiring a clearer definition of street dance-related terms frequently occur. We interviewed street dancers from various positions to figure out the practical uses and perceptions on street dance terms. In order to illuminate the theoretical significance of the emphasis on stylized sub-genres, which was emerged as a core theme during the coding process, we refer to Paul DiMaggio's sociological study on classification in art. The findings are summarized as follows. First, various classification systems evolved as street dance in Korea transformed first emerging as amateur popular dance, moving on to cultural industry, finally arriving as professional art. Second, specific sub-genres are increasingly hierarchical, universally recognized, and ritually bordered, the pattern of which suggests a canonization. However, even during the institutionalization and canonization, street dance reveals complexities that do not fit into a static classification system.