Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine several literature museums/literary spaces related to the writer Pak Kyongni and her novel Toji, and the characteristics and status of each of them. The changes in the environment surrounding literature are naturally altering the public’s culture-consuming patterns as well as, ultimately, the production, consumption, and distribution of literature. The creation of various spaces related to literature, too, is one of the concrete examples of these changes. This study aims to critically investigate contents planning and program operation in literature museums/literary spaces and to also explore methods of vitalizing literature museums using this as its basis. We can find distinguishing literary spaces dealing with Pak Kyongni and her novel Toji in Seoul, Wonju, Hadong, and Tongyeong. Some are operating their programs successfully according to the regional characteristics, but some are showing a tendency to repeat the same words and obvious errors. Literature museums should not behave like stationary objects to be seen like a stuffed bird but rather as living entities that should actively cope with the outer environment. Literature museums should play roles as a medium that allows people to be closer to the original source. Using literature museums as the base, we need to conduct research on literature and develop a variety of participating programs such as training sessions and exhibitions. These museums should be allowed to lead activities so that they can evolve as complex cultural spaces. When literature museums are located sporadically just like those for writer Pak Kyongni and her novel Toji, it is necessary to found and operate an organ or committee that can function as a control tower that may oversee their roles. Also, it is urgently needed to secure experts that can operate and manage the literary spaces. The absence of experts will lead to a lack of expertise in literature museums after all. Only when an expert is secured that is equipped with professional knowledge about the literature museums, will it be possible to carry out the reproduction of literary works, succession of the author’s artistic spirit, development of lectures, or the planning of exhibitions and experiential activities to attract and intrigue visitors. Of course, to realize all these things favorably, it is needed for the local government to provide financial support. However, it is not the local government’s exclusive duty to plan and build literature museums/literary spaces and implement the policy. Meaningful results can be produced when there is communication and cooperation between the local government and expert groups specializing in the planning of architecture, design, and contents.