19세기말・20세기초 시정문화의 동향과 잡가 <유산가>

Abstract

Japga(Vulgar song) is a generic name of long songs mainly sung in urban entertainment spaces from the mid-19th century through the Japanese colonial period. This study takes note of the fact that vulgar songs are a problematic subject that reflects the characteristics of urban culture in the late Joseon period while mediating the cultural changes between tradition and modernity. To elucidate this aspect, this study will deal with the process of formation and the grounds for the transmission of vulgar songs by focusing on one of the representative vulgar songs <Yusanga>, which is classified as one of the so-called ‘twelve vulgar songs.’ The reasons this study takes note of <Yusanga> are as follows: First, this work provides useful information in many ways in reconstructing the process of formation of vulgar songs. After ＜Yusanga＞ appeared in collections of songs and literature such as novels before the early 20th century, its lyrics have been steadily handed down in a record made in 1907 and in printed song books since the 1910s. Next, it is known that the <Yusanga> that has been handed down until now is a song of Park Chun-kyeong, a representative master singer among the Sagyechuk singers. Therefore, the fact that it provides detailed information about the group of commoner musicians and their activities around the modern times should be also considered. Finally, since the sound sources and editorials of <Yusanga> have remained from relatively early periods, it is useful to estimate the motivation of producing vulgar songs. While examining the process of formation and influence of ＜Yusanga＞, this study reveals the fact that this work reflects the urban culture of the 19th century and the trends of commoners who were in charge of the culture. Through the foregoing, this study aims to elucidate the special status of vulgar songs encompassing the tradition and the modern times and the aspect of reorganization of singing culture since the modern times.