"Samsa Munhak," a surrealist literary magazine in which Kim Whan-ki, a master of modern Korean art, participated as a member and personally drew the covers and illustrations. The inaugural issue of "Gaebyeok," known as a treasure trove of modern intellectual history. "Yeoseong," the magazine in which poet Baek Seok's "Me, Natasha and the White Donkey" was published. Eighty modern-era magazines rarely seen in public have been brought together in one place.
The National Library of Korea announced Tuesday that it is hosting the "Modern Magazine: Archive of Joseon's Hipsters" special exhibition together with the Korea Magazine Association at the first-floor exhibition hall of its main building through June 21.
This year marks the 130th anniversary of the publication of Korea's first magazine, "Daejoseon Dongnip Hyeophoe Hoebo" (1896). The exhibition was organized to examine how magazines created by cultural pioneers of the modern era shaped Joseon's modern culture.
The exhibition is divided into three parts. Part 1, "The Birth of the Magazine, the Birth of the Nation," showcases "Daejoseon Dongnip Hyeophoe Hoebo," Korea's first magazine founded by the Independence Club, along with magazines by Korean students studying abroad such as "Chinmokhoe Hoebo" (1896) and "Hakjigwang" (1914). Also on display are "Sonyeon" (1908) and "Cheongchun" (1914), published by Sinmungwan, Korea's first private publishing house established by Choe Nam-seon; "Gaebyeok" (1920), Korea's largest general-interest magazine; and "Sinsaenghwal" (1922), a socialist magazine that faced censorship incidents.
Part 2, "The Age of Modernity and Romance," features Korea's three major literary coterie magazines—"Changjo" (1919), "Pyeheo" (1920), and "Baekjo" (1922)—along with "Sinyeoseong" (1923), which envisioned the liberation of modern women, and "Yeoseong" (1936), for which poet Baek Seok served as editor-in-chief. Various children's magazines, including "Eorini" (1923) and "Sonyeon" (1937), are also on display.
Part 3, "The Heyday of Popular Magazines," highlights how modern magazines became the center of popular culture. Exhibits include "Byeolgeongon" (1926), which gained popularity by featuring hobbies and humor; "Samcheolli," the longest-running magazine during the Japanese colonial period; and popular magazines published by newspaper companies, such as "Sindonga" (1931) and "Jogwang" (1935).
"Magazines from over 100 years ago were an important medium that captured the aspirations of cultural pioneers who dreamed of a new era of modernity," said Kim Hee-sub, director of the National Library of Korea. "We hope this exhibition will be an opportunity to think about the magazines of the future in these changing times."
