This study aims to provide basic materials required for the systematization and establishment of Korea Street Dance for the purpose of introducing healthy culture to the Korean youth by examining the transition of Korea Street Dance from 1970 to 2010 ...
This study aims to provide basic materials required for the systematization and establishment of Korea Street Dance for the purpose of introducing healthy culture to the Korean youth by examining the transition of Korea Street Dance from 1970 to 2010 comprehensively. In order to investigate Street Dance during the periods between 1970 and 2010, it adopted the classification method according to years, and conducted a literature survey by classifying four stages by dividing 10 years as one stage. It focused on social backgrounds, the effect of public music, and dancers' activities comprehensively.
Conclusion, obtained in this study are as follows:
1) Periods between 1970s and 1980s are referred to as the formation time of Street Dance. In the early period of 1970s, Korean people enjoyed lyrical music with the instrument called acoustic guitar. In the late 1970s, people wanted to see newness thanks to the rapid economic development, so that public singers came to add dance in their songs. Therefore, a lot of female dance singers began to emerge naturally. There were no specific materials about dancers who were actively involved in Street Dance at those days. However, it is presumed that the Disco fever of those days through the emergence dance singers, mentions about Gogo or clubs of the 70s and 80s generations demonstrate the activities of street dancers.
2) Periods between 1981 to 1990 were the quickening time of Street Dance. In these periods, the activities of students increased due to the liberalization and it influenced the development of students' culture significantly. With the clearing of Curfew, nightclubs became prevalent and dancers who danced at Moon Club, located at Itaewon learned dance through music video of American music trends. It became the foundation of Street Dance development. In addition, space to share dance appeared due to the prevalence of nightclubs. Michael Jackson influenced Korean dance and some singers such as Park Nam Jeong, Hyeon Jin Yeong, Nami, and Seotaji showed a break dance. Under these circumstances, dancers shared their dances in competition. Like this, Street Dance was introduced to Korea in a natural way.
3) Periods between 1991 and 2000 was the development time of street dance. With the launch of the civilian government and the blowout of freedom, this dance played a role of exploding the resentment of the public, which had been oppressed under the dictatorial government, contributed to the formation of the youth culture and arose tremendous sensation socially. It brought about anxiety and confusion in terms of politics, economy, and society. In addition, coined words were derived and gap in values between generations became distinct. In terms of public music, Korean people got to know Hip-Hop which occupies the large part of Street Dance under the influence of dance signers and Seotaeji and Children, contrary to the existing trend of the Ballad and Trot. After that, the emergence of a large number of dance music singers who dance Hip-Hop had a great influence on people, especially the young. Dancers who had worked as back up dancers composed the performance-oriented dance team instead of broadcasting choreography. As stage performances such as <Marionette> and <B-boy&Ballerina> were activated, street dance became the activity which can be encountered in the theater as well as the street. Through a lot of activities, Street Dance was developed significantly.
4) Periods between 2001 and 2010 was the settlement time of Street Dance. In these periods, people could share more information with the activation of the Internet due to the development of IT. Therefore, exchange of information with many countries was possible, and Korean culture developed a lot. In addition, a wide range of materials about music and dance became easily obtained. Meanwhile, professional dancers began to stand in the world stage without being remained in imitation of western dance. The unfavorable eyes on street dancers became changed under the influence of ensuing winning of Korean B-boys in the world competition. As a result, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced Korean culture by using contents of Korean Wave called "Hanryu." Street dance played a crucial role in introducing Korean culture to all over the world. In addition, following the entrance of K-pop (Tong Vang Xien Qi, Voa, Rain, Kara, and so on) into the market of Asia, targeting at overseas market made a success. Korea Street Dance performed a great role in introducing Korean culture to the world going beyond the settlement in Korea.
As mentioned above, public songs had an enormous effect on Korea Street Dance, and the development of Street Dance corresponded to the social phenomenon. Hit songs and dances such as 'Moon Walk' by Michael Jackson, or 'I know' by Seotaeji, and many singers who are still actively working as well as the enthusiasm of B-boy paved the way for the development of Street Dance. In particular, winning of B-boys in the world competition changed the recognition of Street Dance in Korea, and contributed to the development of Street Dance. As a consequence, college majors which are related to the Street Dance emerged and many ways for the cultivation of professional dancers and certification-issuing are currently sought for.