This thesis focuses on Kim, Kwang-seob's later poetry around 1970 with the concepts, 'place and placelessness', which Edward Relph, a humanistic geographer, created.
Kim, Kwang-seob showed deep concerns about placelessness that industrialization had caused, in his works「Doves in Seongbuk-dong」,「Huge Seoul」,「Wau apartment」,「The suburb」,「Taking a walk」and others.
「Doves in Seongbuk-dong」, which was released in 1968, describes the reality critically, as Seongbuk-dong, the peaceful countryside, was developed violently, it became abstract, hostile space and occupied by 'placelessness'.
Since 1960's, Korea's capitalist industrialization has destroyed nature in Seongbuk-dong which was once a representative countryside in Seoul with the urbanization process. And it took away natives' livelihood, it made them relocate forcefully. 'Doves' that lost the mountains, the people, can no longer bear love and the idea of peace stand for natives in Seongbuk-dong, who would be fated to be kicked out because of the development.
His poem,「The suburb」discloses that how much our urbanization has undiscriminatingly destructed the nature on the outskirts of Seoul. The 'fire' in this poem describes rebellious desire for industrialization and urbanization, that does not mean the fire, to 'light up' the city, but destructive fire which has warning messages to 'burn' the city.
「Wau apartment」 is based on a true story, he depicts side-effects and shadows that compression increase caused.
But his poem,「Mountains」shows an alternative place, a true place which could heal abnormal signs and placelessness through tolerance and magnanimity, care and humility, symbiotic and win-win solution.