재한 조선족 문학의 ‘대림동’ 재현양상

Abstract

‘Daerim-dong’ is not only a space of life of Korean Chinese Diaspora in Korea but also constitutes a passage connecting China and Korea, Yanbian and Seoul. Nevertheless, it is recongnized as a disparate and dangerous space to most Koreans and tends to be segregated from Korean society. This study reviewed the placeness of Daerim-dong and the shifts in awareness about that place focused on the literary works of Korean Chinese writers in Korea, the main subjects of that place. At the beginning, the history of inverse migration of Korean Chinese into Korea and the process of their settlements in Daerim-dong are examined. Then, their awareness about Daerim-dong in their literary pieces are reviewed in three aspects. Firstly, the aspect to view that place as ‘a temporary residence of marginal men’ is examined. It is bodied forth as ‘a slice room’, ‘a street’, etc. Secondly, the aspect to reestablish that place as ‘the imaginary restored Yanbian’ is examined. Summoning some characteristic signifiers, such as foods, local accents and the scenery familiar to them, these writers represent the place as ‘a shelter’ or ‘a sweet haven’. Thirdly, the aspect to establish it as their ‘new home, new hometown’ is examined. When they accept it as ‘a third space’ where both Chinese and Korean cultures are mixed, it comes to be represented as a new home, a new hometown. Korean Chinese can establish Daerim-dong as their place with the shifts of awareness. Only when they secure stability and peace there and to reestablish their own identity, Daerim-dong can be restored as ‘Korea in Korea’ reborn with their own endeavors, not just remained either as ‘Yanbian in China’ or as ‘Yanbian in Korea’.