『황성신문』의 ‘고사’ 연구

Abstract

Including Hwangsong Sinmun, many madia of the time published ‘gosa’, old tales about historically prominent people or heroes. Whereas we are apt to believe the pieces of ‘gosa’ during the Enlightenment had the intention of enlightening or civilizing, it is not simple to define them because there were not only different tendencies in the newspapers and magazines of the time, but there were also chronological difference and sectional distinctiveness even in the same medium. In particular, the series of ‘gosa’ in Hwangsong Sinmun - 「Gosa」, 「Gukjogosa」, 「Daedonggosa」 - certainly shows those characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to disclose the distinctiveness of the series of ‘gosa’ in Hwangsong Sinmun. There are some causes which have made researchers uninterested in ‘gosa’: rough anecdotal content, poor association among themes and topics, and equivocal reasons for publishing and suspending. However, considering that the publishing of ‘gosa’ in Hwangsong Sinmun was not one-time project but remained in existence for a long time despite its suspending and republishing, the different features among the series were a natural outcome. Thus, this article gives attention to the process of some changes in ‘gosa’ series such as those in theme and style of writing. The work of revealing the continuity and difference among the series by analyzing each piece will be critical foundation of determining the meaning and purpose of publishing ‘gosa’ in Hwangsong Sinmun. The ‘gosa’ in Hwangsong Sinmun experienced repeated suspending and republishing as well as three reorganizations and frequent replacements of its managers and writers, but it continued publishing ‘gosa’ with the support of readers of the time despite the financial difficulties of the newspaper. It can be seen that the purpose of ‘gosa’ in Hwangsong Sinmun was altered from enlightenment into popularity.