페미니즘의 시각으로 본 여악

Abstract

Traditional society did not have sufficient condition to raise or to develop specialists and enthusiasts. Instead, if such a figure appeared and showed his talents, the society obstructed his way and hindered him. Restriction on status was strict, consciousness or aim was uniform, and even occupation was restricted. Under such circumstances, it was impossible to open up a new field and to establish one' name in the field with ordinary courage and tenacity. Especially, what kind of image appears to you in the case of "a woman in Chosun Dynasty"? You will recall a self-giving woman toward a man, a strong mother toward her children, and a weak and powerless person in the social aspect. In such situations of the times, there were many women who could not fully demonstrate their ability in spite of their competence; we can say that typical examples are Shin-Saimdang, Heo-Nanseolheon and Hwang-Jinyi for instance. Besides above woman writers, it is believed that many other women must have existed whom we do not know. A lot of YEOAKs belong to this category, who, as Gisaeng status to be almost the lowest class of people, confidently pioneered their own area and exhibited their spirits with same values and mentality as noblemen. Among many YEOAKs, this study intends to look into lives and works being handed down up to now in view of feminism for Unsim from Milyang, the best dancer in 18th century, and Nongae from Jinju, a righteous Gisaeng in 16th century. These two YEOAKs, as legendary figures, laid the foundation of the birth of the famous "Milyang Geummu" and "Nongae SalpuriChum" in later generations. This study is to give a view of relationship between the art of dancing and woman from the aspect of feminism and to research feminism tendency appearing in the works. Through YEOAKs in view of feminism, this study intends to suggest utilization method of Korean creations based on YEOAK together with a new angle on YEOAK. Any time in the past, a woman could not be recognized as a sound person only because she was a woman and she was a dancer and furthermore, no atmosphere was created to properly evaluate her capability. Especially, dancing by a woman itself was treated as a crime under the patriarchal atmosphere of Chosun Dynasty. Such being the case, this study has a meaning that reinvention of YEOAK to today's creations with focus on feminism's view is historically, socially and culturally necessary to suggest new performing arts methods and creations utilization ways in addition to fresh research approaches.