On the Nostalgic, False (Re)construction of the "Modern Girl"

“Nabi Kim,” a social (and patriotic) rebel in colonized Korea.

People in the 2020s forget that the “modern girl” was a cultural rebel, a vile societal reprobate; a deviant; a whore; a kind of dirty (westernized) “slut” who was the very embodiment of all the wrong directions society was going. In the 1920s, when this term had currency in a swiftly modernizing Korea, she (yes, there were “modern boys”, of course, but most social rancor was reserved for female “modern” kids) was the sum of all social fears.

(Western-style) “love,” “money,” “independence,” “(liking) handsome men”, “American exchange student”, “cars” and a host of other social ills were literally written onto the body or swirling around her. Note that this “bad girl” smokes. Because, of course.

A fascination with (over)consumption was also one of her main moral failings.

The “modern girl” is basically the 1920s/30s version of the dwaen-jang-nyeo/“bean-paste girl” — the reviled, materialistically-obsessed slut who likes only rich men, designer goods, (sexy) high heels, short skirts and lewd looks, naughty underwear, and too much bling. Short hair cut into bobs was the thing way back then, while other cuts are in vogue now, but it’s essentially the same thing, the same Korean, societal Jezebel.

So as part of our exploration of Korean neighborhoods and the nostalgia marketing that partially fuels them, we visited the Ikseon Boutique in Ikseon-dong, downtown Seoul, in the Jongno District that is the focus of this month’s photographic affection in our project. All the clothes, unfortunately, were granny mode. So considering the nostalgic way people in the 2020s tend to remember people in the 1920s as “modern" girls” with cute bobs, it’s interesting that there are no clothes that a good 1920s Korean “flapper” would actually wear. The actual “modern girl” has been written out of the visual history and replaced by perfect, sanitized people in their best Sunday suits. It’s safe. And boring. So we decided to bring a motha-flappin’ Modern Girl into the mix and see how she did.

Model @jinruus knows how to pose with a mothafuckin’ gun, prop or not.

The Korean “flapper” or “modern girl” was socially offensive in her independence, brash assertions of romantic and sexual desire, and embracement of scary social change.

‘Nabi Kim,” a Korean social rebel, the last time she was seen alive.

When our project does a picture, we go far below the surface of the text. We go into the history, social context, its linked social meanings, and do everything we can do to make our shoot more meaningful than a mere afternoon of cosplay or a Halloween party escapade. We go deep, and strive for socio-historical accuracy while also having fun in what is inevitably photographic play.

Be like Nabi! (model @jinruus) Leave your mark! Make a difference! Join the Rebellion! CODENAME: ‘NABI’ at the Jongno rendevous point!

Wanna join our team and bring what you got to the project? Hook up with us at @seoulstreetstudios and get in where you fit in!