• The Journal of Natural Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.257-287
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• 1996

The late period of Choson was the renaissance of the modern literature and art of the 'common-people'. Appearance of the common-people class following the emergence of such literature and art highlighted the common costume culture and evoked a fashion. The common trend of fashion of all classes at that time included a exaggerated hair style, a jacket short and tight enough to expose the breasts, a belt looking like a sensual silhouette of a woman body were expressed. Appreciating the human body could be regarded as some social advances at that age, when all the woman's clothing behaviors were restricted and controlled by the Confucian rules. Although eroticism itself is quite dependent on the basic instinct of a human being, this way of expressing eroticism had a social significance, in that women tried to be freed from the long-lasting social bondage. Therefore, the erotic mode during the late half of Choson reflected the society as well the women's repression. In addition, was the disclosure of humanity shadowed by the crusts of the hypocritical and superficial Confucian morality. It implied advances and modernity of the literature and art of the common-people at that time.