Crossing Emotions: Chosŏn Koreans’ Emotions and Emotional Practices towards Modern Society, 1876-1896

Lee, Chanhee

Abstract

The historiography of Korea’s modernisation has been narrated to follow a linear progressive process, resulting in rigid periodisation and binary views. This interpretation inevitably juxtaposes the concepts of tradition and modernity and oversimplifies Korean reactions to Western acceptance as a stark confrontation between traditionalists versus modernisers. However, historical time cannot be neatly divided and the intrinsic nature and assets of different societies must be taken into account as they do not converge towards a similar path of modernisation. Koreans initially engaged with and reacted to new elements through the lens of their own underlying values, which had developed over centuries, yet, less attention has been paid to the pivotal moment when Koreans encountered Western modernity. In light of this problematisation, this thesis aims to reconsider Korea’s modernisation by highlighting the experiences and recognitions of modernity among Chosŏn Koreans within their distinctive context. It examines Chosŏn Koreans’ travelogues of modern society with a particular interest in emotions and emotional expressions. Since the authors travelled in the course of their official duties and their potential readers were Chosŏn people, their writings had to transcend personal expression to conform to societal norms despite being physically abroad. Their emotions, too, had to adhere to social expectations and sometimes exploded against the violation of the ideological foundation of Chosŏn. As the emotional regime evolved over time, so did their emotions. Furthermore, they began to be triggered by various objects with multilayered implications intertwined with the social turn. In this way, this thesis vividly restores transitional Korea and illustrates the hybridity of the time while avoiding the technical application of periodic and dichotomous perspectives. Which is no different from revisiting Korea’s trajectory in itself whilst capturing its particularity. It further demonstrates why it is vital to incorporate an emotional framework in identifying Korea’s modernisation.

Citation

Lee, C. Crossing Emotions: Chosŏn Koreans’ Emotions and Emotional Practices towards Modern Society, 1876-1896. (Thesis). SOAS University of London

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 24, 2025
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.25501/SOAS.00506761
• Additional Information: 193 pages
• Award Date: 2025