Death in Korean Popular Songs : An Exploratory Study - Focusing on the 1920s to 1950s

This study analyzes how the meaning of death has changed in early Korean popular songs. As a representation of social change and popular sentiment, such songs have constantly changed the meaning of death throughout history. The view of death and the way it is sung has also changed at different points in the 100-year history of Korean popular songs, which began as a praise of death. The nihilism of the loss of sovereignty during the emergence of popular song was expressed in songs of personal mourning, martyrdom for the emperor during the period of increased militarism, and mourning for those who died for their country during the period from liberation to the Korean War. As we learn about the future from the past, a retrospective of the history of popular songs about death at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to reflect on death more seriously will be an opportunity to observe not only the changes in public interest in death, but also the cross-section of death as perceived by society.