MZ 포스트메모리 세대의 문화적 기억과 기념관에서 일제강점기 역사의 재현: ‘아는 지식’을 넘어 ‘삶에 대한 통찰’로 안내

Abstract

This article endeavors to unravel how memorial museums, representing the traumatic epochs of the Japanese colonial occupation and commemorating its victims, can catalyze visitor engagement in the transmission of collective memory. The crux of this inquiry centers on the postmemory Generation MZ’s cultural memory of Japanese repression during the colonial era. The main argument is that, to effectively engage Generation MZ—a demographic distinct in its temporal detachment from the events yet deeply enmeshed in its cultural aftermath—memorial museums must undertake a dramatic transformation in their exhibition content organization. Memorial museums are tasked with curating content that not only resonates with Generation MZ’s interest in the Japanese colonial period but also integrating their narratives and identities, which have been invariably shaped by the historical legacies. By embedding the stories and lived experiences of Generation MZ within the broader narrative of the exhibits, these museums can transform into dynamic spaces where past and present converge. Here, the generation that directly experienced these events and the subsequent postmemory generation can engage in meaningful dialogues, fostering a shared understanding of history. Such a transformation would mark a departure from a unidirectional, authoritative educational approach, replacing it with a model of interactive and participatory communication. This approach not only honors the complexity of historical events but also acknowledges the evolving nature of memory and identity in the context of generational shifts.