남산골 한옥마을: 이미지로써 전통 문화의 소비

Abstract

Focusing on Namsangol Hanok village (Seoul, South Korea), this study explored how the traditional culture is reproduced and experienced by people. Specifically, for the purpose of the study, I paid special attention to the characteristics of the diverse traditional cultures and the relevant experiences, and the ways the visitors experience the traditional culture. In its characteristic, the traditional culture observed in this place is closely associated with tourism. In relation to the tourism, the traditional culture in this place is manipulated into fascinating commodities for the visitors. In this process, diverse and heterogeneous elements that are irrelevant to tradition with authenticity are combined together in the name of traditional culture. Therefore, the traditional culture experienced and represented in this place appears as the replica without aura. The visitors experience the replicated tradition as the original tradition, and thus, endow the meaning of originality to the replica. Therefore, the replicated tradition becomes simulacre that replaces for the reality; the visitors consume diverse differences and exotic images and signs of the simulacre in the form of the experience of tradition. That is, Namsangol Hanok village functions as a hyper-reality that is composed of a set of simulacres of the tradition Intersecting and colluding with each other, the elements of meanings that constitute Namsangol Hanok Village, such as the loss of aura, simulacre, signs and so forth, result in the consumption of the images. In this manner, the universal characteristics of the urban place at present are reframed within the form of tradition.