This paper examined the recognition of the people in the period in which Korean folk songs were formed, the first half of the 20th century, and the actual influence of such recognition on the production and distribution of popular songs through problems of ‘acceptance of folk songs’. First of all, to take a good look at the aspects of ‘popularity’ discourse, this paper studied discussions of, recognition of contemporary intellectuals about the masses and, requirement of popularity. The masses were recognized as both of one-sided users of popular songs and positive users who voluntarily select them. Considering the fact that the recognition about the masses tended to be similar to the former, the change in recognition of the masses as positive users can be said the one to be noted in the course of contemporary popularity. Meanwhile, in the popular songs world at that times, discussions about popularity were being actively made. In relation to the popularity requirement that the then-current people thought, ‘common interest’, ‘wuimuje’ etc. and ‘topicality’ and ‘a way of life’ are being stressed together. Popularity being connected to the life of the masses and topicality could become an important means of applying folk songs to the contemporary popular songs. How the above discourse acts on the production and distribution of actual popular songs? In respect of that, a problem of acceptance of folk songs by popular songs was noted. A folk song was a form of song newly discovered, obtaining a variety of meanings at that time. In the popular song world at those days, folk songs were noted as a subject capable of satisfying the life of the masses. Especially by accepting folk songs, the efforts of the persons who produced popular song and more stressed popularity could be confirmed. The means for the connection and acceptance of popular and folk songs was the very ‘popularity’ popular songs have. The problems of popularity of the popular song world in the first half of the 20th century are points which must be necessarily checked in relation to its identity, because the then-current period was one in which Korean popular songs were formed. The discussion of this paper may have significance as a process of such a check. Also, this prepared a room allowing new evaluation of new folk songs by noting its popularity in relation to production of new folk songs.

This paper examined the recognition of the people in the period in which Korean folk songs were formed, the first half of the 20th century, and the actual influence of such recognition on the production and distribution of popular songs through problems of ‘acceptance of folk songs’. First of all, to take a good look at the aspects of ‘popularity’ discourse, this paper studied discussions of, recognition of contemporary intellectuals about the masses and, requirement of popularity. The masses were recognized as both of one-sided users of popular songs and positive users who voluntarily select them. Considering the fact that the recognition about the masses tended to be similar to the former, the change in recognition of the masses as positive users can be said the one to be noted in the course of contemporary popularity. Meanwhile, in the popular songs world at that times, discussions about popularity were being actively made. In relation to the popularity requirement that the then-current people thought, ‘common interest’, ‘wuimuje’ etc. and ‘topicality’ and ‘a way of life’ are being stressed together. Popularity being connected to the life of the masses and topicality could become an important means of applying folk songs to the contemporary popular songs. How the above discourse acts on the production and distribution of actual popular songs? In respect of that, a problem of acceptance of folk songs by popular songs was noted. A folk song was a form of song newly discovered, obtaining a variety of meanings at that time. In the popular song world at those days, folk songs were noted as a subject capable of satisfying the life of the masses. Especially by accepting folk songs, the efforts of the persons who produced popular song and more stressed popularity could be confirmed. The means for the connection and acceptance of popular and folk songs was the very ‘popularity’ popular songs have. The problems of popularity of the popular song world in the first half of the 20th century are points which must be necessarily checked in relation to its identity, because the then-current period was one in which Korean popular songs were formed. The discussion of this paper may have significance as a process of such a check. Also, this prepared a room allowing new evaluation of new folk songs by noting its popularity in relation to production of new folk songs.

, , , , , , ,

popular song, in the first half of the 20th century, new folk songs, Popularity, Folk Songs, discourse, masses