최순애 「오빠 생각」의 전개 양상과 의미

Abstract

This paper examines the developmental aspects and significance of the children's song “Thinking of My Elder Brother,” created by Choi Soon-ae over 100 years ago. Composed in 1925 during the Japanese colonial period, “Thinking of My Elder Brother” holds significant historical value and is of utmost importance for studying the early history of Korean children's literature. At that time, under colonial circumstances, Japan's rule had reached the limits of military governance and was shifting toward cultural policies as part of a conciliatory approach while also intensifying education aimed at transforming Koreans into loyal subjects of the Japanese empire. This period coincided with the evolution of modern school education and the transition from read poem to children's songs. Choi Soon-ae's ‘Thinking of My Elder Brother’ was composed by Park Tae-jun in 1930, five years after Choi Soon-ae published her poetry collection, and began to spread as a song and album. This change in song quickly spread as a national children's song that sympathized with the emotional struggle of the people who endured the hardships of the Japanese colonial period. This song was widely spread among people of all ages because it matched the zeitgeist and national sentiment of the time. Exploring the background, factors, and developmental process that led to the creation of Choi Soon-ae's “Thinking of My Elder Brother” also sheds light on the broader characteristics of modern and contemporary Korean literary history through the lens of early Korean children's literature. Undeniably, existing research on Choi Soon-ae needs urgent improvement due to the lack of related materials. Thus, this study examines Choi Soon-ae's life and works, particularly emphasizing the developmental process of “Thinking of My Elder Brother.” In doing so, it considers the familial influences before and after her debut and the socio-political consciousness of the time. This study investigates the historical context and background of Choi Soon-ae's life and literary activities. It then categorizes the birth process of “Thinking of My Elder Brother” and its representation of the era into three main aspects. Firstly, it explores the ‘background of selection’ and ‘trends in the literary world’ that led to the emergence of Choi Soon-ae as a young author. Secondly, it examines the rapid spread of “Thinking of My Elder Brother” through the lens of ‘the emotional state of the nation's subjects’ and ‘the will for national liberation.’ Lastly, it analyzes the developmental aspects of “Thinking of My Elder Brother” as it evolved from a ‘read poem’ to a ‘sung children's song,’ considering its impact as a musical element with emotional and visual imagery. This comprehensive analysis reveals the fundamental significance of “Thinking of My Elder Brother” being preserved and sung as a popular national song rather than a children's song for over a century in children's literature.