As information technology develops rapidly, printed media have functioned as a central point of knowledge, information and culture. But the central position is threatened by the challenge of electronic media such as internet. Experts say that the analogue publication and literature are at a crisis. Then, how can poetry see readers at this digital age? From this standpoint, this article aims to investigate the actual state of the common and expert readers' acceptance of the korean modern poetry and to perceive and analyze the aspect of readers' awareness and acceptance of the korean modern poetry. The following are the results. First, the difference of reading amount between the common and expert readers is remarkable. In comparison with the common readers, the expert readers accept 50.9 times of poems monthly. Therefore we have to do many-sided endeavour to reduce the gap between the two groups and to swell the readers' group. And then the present situation becomes to the proper state. Secondly, common readers are getting more and more apathetic to poetry while expert readers show high interest. The fact that 20.4% of them dislike poetry and 90.1% does not talk about poetry is reported. Particularly, this tendency is stronger in low age. In order that general readers may widely accept poetry, the extent of the readers' awareness of poetry and their interest in poetry are expanded previously. Thirdly, expert readers' environment is fit for reading poetry while common readers' unfit. The primary condition is not suitable because 70% of common readers have less than ten volumes of poetical works. It is required that experts and instructors in poetry should try to make the conditions for poetry being received properly by readers. Fourthly, while expert readers put emphasis on speculation about their lives or on enjoyment of reading poetry itself, common readers put emphasis on sensation, that is, emotional response or on elevation of personality and culture. Fifthly, common readers point out main causes of hindrance in reading poetry. The causes are 'it is difficult to understand poetry'(19.8%) and 'it is difficult to select a poetical work to read'(14.4%). While expert readers point out 'there is no poetical works worth reading'(28.9%) as one of main causes. The endeavour of readers and poets is needed and systematic research into the matter should be done. Sixthly, when common readers select a poetical work they depend on the list of bestseller, mass media or acquaintances. While expert readers read the book reviews or articles from the newspapers and journals. Or they select a poetical work which they like after they glance at the book. Hence the preponderance of bestseller among the common readers. Many-sided device have to be made to improve the problem. Seventhly, there is a difference between common and expert readers' views on a good poem. Common readers prefer the poems in schoolbook and bestseller while expert readers have various criteria according to their inclinations, ages and jobs, and the scope and aspects are also various. We need also to make a systematic research into the matter. It must be considered that we presume youngsters read less than in twentieth century. And the serious research and proper education about reading poetry are necessary.
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