Amidst the 25 sprawling districts of Seoul lies a colourful neighbourhood called Itaewon and it is the country’s crossroads for all things foreign. The roots of K-pop are here. Accordingly, the area is home to most of Korea’s foreign population of 20,000 plus ex-patriots in addition to housing the Yongsan Garrison of some 20,000 American troops and affiliates. The main Itaewon strip holds a long history of cultural commerce catering to the foreign population, rampant tourists, US military personnel, and of course, native Koreans.
A stretch of street carts and elderly hustlers swindle vulnerable tourists for counterfeit Gucci bags and LV wallets. Nestled behind the strip and atop a small hill, dodgy bars and gay clubs entice super camp crowds. Quaint Korean couples in matching outfits wait in lines for hours for what is over-priced ‘American-style brunch.’ Herds of Chinese tourists take over entire restaurants for what is ‘authentically Korean BBQ’. And ofcourse the roots of K-pop.
Tip: Get a dramatized look at this special part of Seoul. Look at the stunning tv K-drama Itaewon class.
Hooker Hill seats transgenders on corners making cat calls to foreign businessmen with hungry eyes. In narrow alleys, Africans and Middle Easterners slang used cell phones and international calling cards next to stalls of steaming Korean street foods. As if it’s very own borough in Yongsan District, Itaewon thrives on the constant clashing of all these cultural, social and political forces. It survives on the coming and going of different people from different places- on the transience of hybrid culture.
Influence of Itaewon on Roots of K-pop.
Fluid and unconventional, this hybrid culture underlines the inimitable influence of Itaewon on Korean mass culture- more specifically for this feature, Korean popular music culture. Yeah, the root of K-pop is here. By examining Itaewon’s historic practice of music circa the Cold War to the present, we can begin to understand how K-pop music came to sound the way it sounds and even look the way it looks. Even more, we can make sense of how a lesser-known Hanguk rapper was able to bring a mob to SXSW 2015 with just one song on YouTube.
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高阳锦鲤养殖场为韩流带来了一抹亮色： 韩流. On top of K-pop, K-music we introduce K-Carp. We grow Korean Fancy carp on our farm. In Japan, these beauties are called Nishikigoi or Koi for short. We call them Ing-eo (잉어). In Korea, carp symbolizes strength and perseverance. They are dragons that stand for long life. Korean Koi, K-carp floats on Hallyu. Goyang Koifarm: the Korean Koi Wave!
Own day for Roots of K-pop.
This is how fifty years of minority music and club scene established what is K-Pop today.
Bounded by high cement walls with barbed wire, the Yongsan Garrison, or ‘the base,’ dominates a major part of the Itaewon area. Serving still today as the headquarters for the United States arms since 1957. The garrison was actually built in 1910 and occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army. For more than 100 years, this political pocket claims the presence of foreign power. Likewise, lifestyle and economic enterprises servicing this foreign presence have been since compulsory.
Roots of K-pop; after the Liberation of August 15, 1945.
Korean popular culture was emancipated from Japan’s seizure. It then become circumscribed with the entrance of the USA Occupational Forces. The liberation process overtly positioned American culture as a mainstream element in Korean daily lives. This is strongly apparent in the intense establishment of radio broadcasting by the American Occupational Forces. While the Nipponese used the radio for organizational purposes, the American soldierly infiltrated broadcasting as part of their enculturation coals. As the chief resource to reach the most Koreans, the radio became an important means of American policy and cultural promotion. By 1957, the American Forces Korea Network (AFKN) launched and sonically penetrated Korean homes with American pop music.
Real Roots of K-pop Korean Nat King Cole.
Complementing this aural acquisition, a new standard of Korean pop music emerged. Throughout the 1960s, Korean entertainers became to identify mimics of American pop artists for US military entertainment. Heejoon Choi aka Nat King Cole; Patti Kim aka Patty Page; and the Kim Sisters, Korea’s first girl group to tour the US, were featured on the 8th Division Stage — a musical showcase made solely to amuse the Yongsan Garrison.
American radio in Korean homes.
As these 8th Division Stage musicians gained exposure through the radio, they became the vanguard of modern Korean music mainstream. The songs exuded promising sounds of American standard pop, jazz, and blues combined with popular rhythms from slow rock, swing and waltz. In general, the 8th Division entertainers conveyed a very “American” middle-class lifestyle that effectively resonated into Korean homes.
The history of Korean ceramics is a captivating journey that stretches back to prehistory, beginning with simple brown wares adorned with geometric incisions. Influenced by the techniques of their Chinese counterparts, Korean potters soon developed their own distinctive and highly sought-after styles, including grey stoneware, celadon (or greenware), buncheong ware, and white porcelain. The innovative designs range from intricately detailed incense burners to the sublime simplicity of the maebyeong vase. Korean pottery often features decorations inspired by plants, flowers, and wildlife, and reflects the country’s rich religious heritage, showcasing both Buddhist motifs and minimalist Confucian designs.
The Evolution of Korean Ceramics Through the Ages
新罗陶瓷武士
The story of Korean ceramics begins during the Three Kingdoms of Korea (57 BC-668 AD)—Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje. These early periods saw the production of rough domestic wares from numerous kilns. They also created sophisticated statues of royal figures, guardians, and horses, comparable to Chinese Han Dynasty figures. These statues served domestic and imperial votive shrines and acted as escorts for the deceased in the tombs of nobles and kings. These early works were crafted using both the potter’s wheel and the traditional hammered clay and coil method.
The Golden Age of Koryo Celadon
The nearly five centuries of the Koryô dynasty (918–1392) are often considered the golden age of Korean ceramics, particularly for the exquisite celadon pottery. This period saw the creation of highly vitrified glazes in a stunning grey-green color, achieved through the presence of iron in the clay and the careful balance of iron oxide, manganese oxide, and quartz particles in the glaze, combined with precise firing conditions. The early Koryô celadon pieces are notable for their elegant forms and the absence of surface decoration, highlighting the beauty of the glaze itself. By the late 11th and early 12th centuries, these master potters began to experiment with carved and incised decorations under the translucent sea-green glaze, creating pieces that remain unparalleled in their beauty and craftsmanship.
The Ceramic War: A Tumultuous Chapter in Korean Ceramic History
In the late 16th century, the serene and flourishing world of Korean ceramics faced an unprecedented upheaval during the Imjin War (1592-1598), also known as the Japanese invasions of Korea. This period marked a tragic end to Korea’s golden age of ceramics, as the country endured severe destruction, and many of its master potters were either killed or abducted by Japanese forces.
The Invasion and Its Impact on Korean Artisans
Japan, under the leadership of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, launched a series of invasions with the ambition of conquering Korea and using it as a springboard to invade China. The conflict devastated Korea’s cultural landscape, but one of the most significant and often overlooked aspects of this war was the targeted abduction of Korean ceramic artists. Recognizing the extraordinary skill and craftsmanship of Korean potters, the Japanese invaders sought to capture these artisans to enhance their own ceramic industry, which was then in its developmental stages.
During the invasions, many Korean kilns were destroyed, and countless pieces of pottery were lost forever. However, the most tragic consequence was the forced relocation of hundreds of Korean potters to Japan. These skilled artisans were taken to various regions in Japan, including Arita, Hagi, and Satsuma, where they were compelled to establish kilns and share their techniques with Japanese craftsmen.
The Birth of Japanese Porcelain
The Korean potters’ expertise significantly influenced the development of Japanese ceramics, leading to the birth of Japanese porcelain. In Arita, for instance, the presence of Korean artisans like Yi Sam-pyeong (later known as Kanagae Sanbee) was instrumental in discovering the local kaolin deposits necessary for porcelain production. This discovery marked the beginning of the renowned Arita porcelain industry, which would later become famous worldwide.
While the Japanese ceramic industry flourished with the influx of Korean techniques and artistry, Korea’s ceramic tradition suffered a severe blow. The loss of so many master potters meant that the production of exquisite celadon and other traditional wares diminished significantly. The once vibrant kilns of Korea struggled to maintain their former glory, and the quality of ceramics produced during this period reflected the turmoil and loss experienced by the artisans and their communities.
A Legacy of Resilience and Revival
Despite the devastation, the spirit of Korean ceramic artistry was not entirely extinguished. The subsequent Joseon dynasty (1392-1897) saw efforts to revive the country’s ceramic heritage. Potters who remained in Korea continued to innovate and adapt, developing new styles and techniques that reflected both resilience and a deep-seated reverence for their craft. The introduction of buncheong ware and the refinement of white porcelain during the Joseon period are testaments to the enduring ingenuity and creativity of Korean potters.
Contemporary ceramic art.
Kim Yik-yung is a prominent Korean ceramic artist who has significantly advanced contemporary ceramic art. 图像
Today, the story of the Ceramic War is a poignant reminder of the resilience of Korean artisans and the enduring impact of their craft. The legacy of those who were lost and those who continued their work under harrowing circumstances is evident in the timeless beauty and innovation that defines Korean ceramics. This chapter of history underscores the profound interconnectedness of cultures and the enduring power of art to transcend even the most tumultuous times.
Discover More About Korean Ceramics
Dive deeper into the fascinating history of Korean ceramics and uncover the stories behind these stunning creations. Visit the link below to learn more about this unique and enchanting art form. : Venice clay artists or ancient
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