Border-Crossing of Taisho Vitalism and Radical Theory of Individuality in Colonial Korea ―― On Genealogy from Henri Bergson, Osugi Sakae to Yeom Sang-seop

Yeom Sang-seop’s discussion on how the aesthetic value of art lies in “the impulse of individuality” and that art is “a revelation of life” in “Individuality and Art”(1922) reflects an adoption of Bergson’s concept of “vital impulse.” However, Bergsonian philosophy Yeom received was a reinterpreted version by Japanese vitalism. In particular, it was the work of Osugi Sakae that greatly influenced Yeom’s ideas, and a number of Yeom’s social critique from the early 1920s almost directly reflects Osugi’s ‘theory of life.’ For instance, his description of realization of one’s individuality as “a path for self-revolution” reflects Osugi’s view that true “rebellion” is “demolition” of everything that hinders “expansion of life.” Yeom’s thoughts on individuality also provided his own answers to the question on whether people of a colony without sovereignty could truly become a ‘modern man.’ Yeom sought to leap toward ‘modern culture’ through a lever of ‘the infinite potential of life=individuality,’ and in this regard, rather than directly deriving from Japanese vitalism, Yeom’s ideas on individuality was a way of the writer appropriating Taisho vitalism in more radical way, discovered upon the ‘frustration’ of the March First Movement.