한국에서 우쿨렐레의 유입, 확산 과정과 향유 양상

Abstract

This paper examines the introduction and use of the ukulele, the representative string instrument of Hawai‘i, to the social and cultural circumstances of Korea. The ukulele was first introduced to Korea in the early 1970s, but did not receive much attention. However, since the 2000s, it has rapidly emerged as a popular instrument with the promotion of “life music” at the national policy level. Ukulele quickly established itself as a versatile music educational tool due to its portability, ease of learning, playability in both solo and ensemble music and as accompaniment for singing. In the educational system, it spread through after-school classes while in community art education, demand for it rapidly increased through various channels including cultural centers, music clubs, and academies. The surge of interest in ukulele can be read through the number of private qualification registration agencies issuing instructor certificates, with six institutions in 2011 increasing to 105 in 2016 and 200 as of 2021. The ukulele began to gain popularity as a useful music education tool for young children in the early 2000s, and in the 2010s, when it became possible to obtain a masters’ degree in life music majors, the ukulele entered into the institutionalized music education system. From interviews with people who played important roles in the influx and spread of the ukulele, together with literature and internet searches, this paper explores the ukulele’s introduction, dissemination, and establishment in South Korea. It first discusses historical aspects of the arrival of the ukulele in Korea and corrects some misunderstandings. Second, it reviews the spread of the instrument which began in earnest after the 2000s, focusing on significant people and organizations. Third, it explores various aspects of the ukulele music enjoyed in Korean society, dividing it into the three areas of education, life music, and professional music.