고장환의 소년운동과 아동문학

Abstract

This article is about the life of Go Jang-hwan who was a juvenile activist and children’s literature writer. He is such a crucial figure that should be mentioned in the history of modern children’s literature and also the history of modern juvenile movement in Korea. Instead of creative children’s stories, the deeds or literature of Bang Jeong-hwan paying attention to translated materials or story-telling have been highlighted unbelievably much. But Go Jang-hwan who struggled to lead his life diligently on the other side of Bang is still unveiled and has hardly been approached. Although Go Jang-hwan was at the frontline of socialist juvenile movement, the year of his birth or death has not even been known yet. In his life, he was directly involved in founding and operating different societies such as Bando Juvenile Society(반도소년회) and Seoul Juvenile Society(서울소년회). Meanwhile, he also released several pieces of children’s songs and children’s stories as well. But he has been forgotten after one hundred years or less. Accordingly, this study attempted to reorganize Go Jang-hwan’s traces describing his life as precisely as possible. He was appointed as a senior manager in Owolhoe(오월회), Chosun Juvenile Union(조선소년총연맹), or Gyeongseong Juvenile Union(경성소년연맹) and struggled for juvenile movement. Thanks to his direction, they could launch an integrated organization covering all the juvenile societies doing their activities all through the colony. He also positively participated in the event of Children’s Day that was held first in the world and tried to make children suffering from Japanese colonization laugh. Also, he contributed to starting modern children’s literature in Korea releasing children’s songs, children’s poems, children’s stories, or criticism often. Although the characteristics of his literature or the qualities of his forms are rather plain and restricted to giving lessons, it has enough meaning in the history of literature in consideration of few writers present in the initial period. From the late 1930’s, his name disappeared from any kind of newspaper or event. From then till now, his contribution to the history of movement and literary results have not been evaluated properly.