Study on the Acceptance Process of Milk and Dairy Products in Korea during the 19th Century and the Japanese Colonial Period (1884~1938) - Focused on the Analysis of a Westerner’s Records and Newspaper Advertisements -
Although milk, which is a representative western food, has a more than 100-year history in Korea, the preference is controversial. This study examined the milk history of Choseon in 1884~1938. This period was divided into 4 periods regarding the westerner’s records and advertisements. Westerners who visited Choseon in 1884~1895 (1st period) recorded the eating habits of Choseon,i.e., no milk consumed, even in insufficient food situation. Among the westerners, medical missionaries began to show or/and recommend condensed milk for sick children. In 1896~1909 (2nd period) newspapers, general shops in Hanseong for westerners showed advertisements of dairy products. In the 1900s, condensed and raw milk were advertised through newspapers. Domestic ranching systems to produce raw milk were established at that time mainly by Japanese. In the 1910s (3rd period), raw milk and condensed milk were advertised in newspapers. Since the mid-1920s (4th period), dairy products were bisected into condensed and powdered (dried) milk. Moreover, many Japanese manufacturers appeared in the advertisement in the 1920s. These results suggest that milk has been recognized as a symbol of an enlightenment food in Korea since the late 1900s, but the old negative wisdom, unfamiliar taste, and high price of milk at that time limited its appeal.