ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the beginning of modernization in Korea. In general, the modernization of Korean theatre is believed to have begun at the turn of the 20th century with the reception and incorporation of Western realist theatre. The autochthonous modern theatres at that time, Mask-dance theatre and Pansori are briefly noted; these genres are closely related to classical genres from the past, so it is also helpful to understand traditional Korean performances. The introduction of Western theatre is also addressed, including the first indoor theatres Heopyeulsa and Wongaksa, and the emergence of Changgeuk. The restructuring of Korean theatre was part of a larger social restructuring plan. The reception of Western culture and modernization was controversial in Korea at the time. Korean society understood the advantages of Westernization but felt threatened by the potential loss of tradition and was hostile toward imperialism. Thus, there were three social attitudes toward theatre in the 1900s: the traditional Confucian group that considered theatrical arts as obscene and against public morals, the conservative intellectual group that insisted on nationalism and civilization, and the progressive group that supported the new theatre movement that sought Western modernization.
