• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.132-143
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to observe cospla subculture in 1990s new generation of Korean youth, focused on activity that was reproducing the appearance of individual characters in animation, comic books and computer games, and to understand the representing process and meaning of appearance. The ethnographic methods including in-depth interviews and observation were used to approach such cultural form more closely from the youth generations perspective and their language. The results were as follows: 1. Although the cospla is originated from Japan, the local experience of Koreans make it the special youth subculture of Korea. 2. There are homological features and hierachical structure among group members of cospla subculture. The core values of Korean cospla are that they are realizing their ideal and elevating their own self-esteem. 3. Their appearance has connotation as symbolic resistance. The cultural activity of cospla is non-realistic, non-productive, but cosplayers conform to the social norm, too.

• Archives of design research
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• v.19 no.5 s.67
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• pp.203-212
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• 2006

With interests and participation in the costumeplay that mimics characters appeared on carton or animation in recent days, the costumeplay becomes one of cultural phenomena. Using a qualitative research method, this study identified costumeplayers' costume consumption pattern and explored its meanings from the perspective of consumption culture. Indeed, this study intended to help for understanding costumeplayer group as a consumer, and to provide basic knowledge about new market analysis related to fashion design and marketing. The results from the analyzing participant observation and in-depth interviews data are as follows: first, costumeplayers usually begin costumeplay by friends' invitations or by themselves and then continue on participating. Through the costumeplay, participants have benefits such as fun, departure from the daily life, and social interaction. Second, participants acquire costumes through purchase, rent, producing or combination of daily wear, but both purchase and rent account high. Third, the meanings of consumption culture in costumeplay include consumption behavior repeating possession and disposal. Also, costumeplayers concerns efficiency when purchasing or renting the costumes, and internet is a place where information search, comparison, and actual purchasing are occurred. Based on the results, fashion design and marketing implication, limitation of this study and further research ideas were suggested.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.470-478
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• 2017

Costume play is an act of imitating the appearance or behavior of characters in digital games, cartoons or animations. In recent years, cosplay culture has become popular in China as the digital game is made into a movie. The number of cosers has also increased. Especially, Qiwei Zoe has been very popular among cosers because her cosplay photography reflects the understanding of the cosplay culture. A number of cosers admit that her work shows a commercial and artistic potential of cosplay photography. This paper analyzed how she maintains the contents of the original but creatively reimplementing them. She shoots the fantastic image of the character like it really exists in reality so that she can avoid excessive editing work. She emphasizes the character's action that symbolizes its personality and utilizes a variety of outdoor shooting locations similar to the original scenes. We also discussed how cosplay photographers can create cosplay photography by maintaining its artistic features.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.185-198
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to analyze representation of characters of AOS online-game in order to find out the meanings of ontological game characters. This study selects characters of on-line game to analyze representations of game characters by Pierre L$\acute{e}$vy's ontological theory. The characters which represented in on-line games reproduced by costume play in off-line world reflect human desire and construct human existence. Online game character is an existing substance, which could expand human experiences by crossing virtual game world and reality in digital era.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.137-144
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• 2006

Though old generation criticizes on costume play that it is accepted by young generation without any criticism, it is gaining popularity and is settled with unique Korean characteristics. The study is to understand the characteristics of costume play and investigate on the attitude of costume players enjoying it. For this study, a survey was conducted on costume players who order tailor-made costumes or rent them by using references, existing papers and internet sites. The results are as follows. 1.37% of costume players live in Seoul and Gyeonggi area, 37% in Gyeongsang-do and Busan with 21% in other areas. Two areas shows higher rate than any other regions, as Seoul Comic and Busan Comic are held regularly and there are faster exchange with Japanese culture in these areas with enough money 2. Among costume players, female accounts for 73.7% with 26.3% male. It shows that female likes costume play more than male. It is because woman responds actively to what she likes than man does. The number of male is steadily increasing. By age, high school student is 40%, middle school student is 36%, older than 20 is 16% with 3% of elementary school student. 3.61% of them like the reproduction of character costumes, 14.7% like Pancos and another 14.7% likethe reproduction of character costumes and creation. 69.5% participates in costume play both in groups and individuals, 26.3% in groups and 4.2% in individuals. 45.3% participates in comic more than 8 times in a yew, 43.2%, 1-2 times and 11.6%, 3-4 times. Mostly they want $50,000{\sim}80,000$ won costume. 4. on the criticism of old generation that costume play is nothing but the imitation of Japanese culture, 87.4% of the respondents answered 'absolutely not' They think costume play is one of their favorite cultures. 5. on the parents response to costumeplay, 87% of the respondents answered 'Ethey understand', 13% said 'they cannot understand and dissent'. The respondents said costume play didn't affect their school records with 25% respondents who said they got better grades.