Social Aspects of and Literary Expressions in Cho Yong-Pil’s Lyrics

This study set out to analyze the social nature of Cho Yong-pil’s lyrics and examine the ways social aspects are expressed and messages reflected in Korean popular songs. The findings were as follows. First, Cho’s songs such as , , and were written to commemorate historical moments. offers lyrics reflecting the pain of family separation due to the Japanese occupation, national unity, and his wish for the unification of North and South Korea. focuses on the placeness of Seoul and paints a depressing outlook for the social aspects that the nation would face after the Seoul Summer Olympic Games. reinterprets the Arirang folk song that represents the history of the Korean people’s suffering, indicating that the history of Korea faces a grand turning point. Secondly, , , and <1987 of Seoul> reflect people’ aspirations for anti-autocracy and democratization. and are set against the backdrop of “Seoul’s Spring in 1980” and the “Gwangju Democratization Movement of May,” depicting the dream of democratization that was lost in the “empty sky” and the noble spirit of sacrifice of democratic souls. The lyrics of <1987 of Seoul> talk about the historical site of a democratic protest on June 10 and the beginning of the democratic society that the Korean people finally won. Lastly, represents people’s anger toward the political world. Its lyrics are impressive for their harsh political satire. and talk frankly about the anxiety and alienation of the middle aged and the older generations that faced a rapidly changing social situation after the foreign currency crisis. These findings show that many of Cho Yong-pil’s songs contain social messages in their lyrics, that the lyrics of his songs did not enjoy as much attention as their popular awareness, that it was inevitable for him to hide his original intentions with literary expressions, and that he continued to deliver his social messages.