This study focuses on space cultural hermeneutics, based on a field survey on Bukchon Hanok Village, which represents traditional Korean space. The contemporary traditional space is supposed to be a concept in which cultural hybridity is realized beyo...
This study focuses on space cultural hermeneutics, based on a field survey on Bukchon Hanok Village, which represents traditional Korean space. The contemporary traditional space is supposed to be a concept in which cultural hybridity is realized beyond the preservation of the spirit of the past and heritage. By looking at the actual field, this study examined how various cultural discourses and the identity of traditional spaces is being created in the process. And based on the field research, this study carried out the hermeneutical approach to the spatial composition and cultural practice of Bukchon Hanok Village and suggested the cultural values and sustainable development plans that Bukchon should pursue in the future.
This study uses interview-based qualitative research methodology that combines semiotics and hermeneutics rather than social science methods based on statistical data. Prior to the interpretation of culture, this study anlyzed the cultural discourse and examined the place identity of Bukchon Hanok Village through the interviews with survey participants. The process and results of the research are as follows.
First, Bukchon Hanok Village, as suggested by the study, is a living space that has been maintained for 600 years. However, it was seen as a symbolic space transformed and organized as the ruling power and ideology changed. In addition, this study examined the aspect of the modern transformation of tradition by analyzing the cultural hybridity in Bukchon.
Second, his study selected the site survey and conducted semi - structured interviews to find out what kind of Bukchon identity was being created through the Bukchon Hanok Village experience. For the interview, six types of questionnaires, consisting of questions about visit motivation, place experience, image of place, perceived value, memorization method, and sustainability were created. In addition, interviews were conducted by adding additional questions from time to time.
As a result of the field survey, it can be said that people visit Bukchon for various purposes. However, the way to enjoy Bukchon in reality is a short and one-time experience such as walking, sightseeing, taking pictures, and uploading them to SNS regardless of nationality, sex, or age. It was found that short - term and one - time experiences prescribe the place character of Hanok village. Paradoxically, however, most of the visitors mentioned that they can feel Korean tradition and history in Bukchon. Through this, visitors could understand that the concept of tradition is understood as meaning of authenticity and uniqueness.
Third, based on the field survey results, this study interpreted the cultural paradox of Bukchon Hanok Village in terms of damage and obstruction. In other words, it can be stressed out that visitors visit Bukchon to feel the Korean traditional atmosphere, however Bukchon does not have a true Korean tradition at the present. Visitors experience and reproduce Bukchon with one-off experiences such as walking, taking photos, uploading to SNS. However, visitors expect to discover and experience the tradition that has already been lost in Bukchon. As a result, self-contradiction arises between the purpose of visit and the result. And there is a paradox that Bukchon Hanok Village uses it as an ontological power of space. Therefore, the cultural hybridity of Bukchon is transformed into negative hybridity, and Bukchon 's identity has become ambiguous both in terms of visitor' s experience and ontological meaning of space.
Lastly, in order to obtain the cultural value and sustainability of Bukchon Hanok Village this study proposes three alternatives, such as alternative mentioned by the visitors, policy alternative, philosophical and ideological alternative. What is more important while considering these alternatives is that visitors have argued that they must pay attention to the essence, cultural and traditional value of Bukchon beyond the superficial, and simple meaning that is felt from the appearance of Bukchon.
In this study, it was suggested that the traditional space needs to find out the reflection and consensus about the place identity as a true meaning that converges the visitor 's expectations and the original meaning of the tradition, and that the mediation of social and academic communication should be provided .