저자로 나온 宮中－한국 料亭의 표상 明月館－

Abstract

Myungwolgwan, formulated in 1903, has been known as the originator of the high-class Korean-style restaurant and the presentation of Korean traditional culture, Korean people believe that this has inherited the tradition of royal cuisine and performances in Joseon Dynasty, and preserve the taste and arts of Joseon. However, Myungwolgwan did not claim to inherit the tradition, and the people of that period did not praise it because of preserving the tradition of Joseon Dynasty. Myungwolgwan boasted that it had reformed the tradition of Joseon by improving its cuisine with up-to-date facilities and improving food. Myungwolgwan was a new facility, and the performance and reception offered by it was a new culture. For Koreans in that period, it was very surprising that anyone who has money were able to enjoy and eat high-quality dishes, regardless of status. Since the 1920s, Myungwolgwan has emerged as a representation of the traditional culture of Joseon. But the traditional culture it represented was not food. It was related to the image of Gisaeng, and Japanese government general entitled them to represent Joseon culture. In th colonial era, It didn't matter that Myungwolgwan’s food was the royal cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty and people was not interested in it. But no one could deny that the Gisaeng was Koreans. Korean food and Japanese food could be mixed, but Korean Gisaeng and Japanese Geysha could not be mixed. The image that Myungwolgwan represents Korean traditional culture was hardend with the combination of Gisaeng’s singing, dancing, and laughing. However in the colonial era, Korean Gisaeng lose her own characteristic and became a symbol of decadence, From open to close, Myungwolgwan was recognized as the representative of modern civilization, Joseon traditional culture, and decadence sequentially. Even though Myungwolgwan improved things in Korea and created things that were not in Korea, their creation was recognized as the best Korean culture elements. These elements were combined with decadence soon. Therefore Myungwolgwan is not only the birthplace of Korean modern entertainment, but also the place of representation of Korean modern period.