Our beloved poet, Yoon Dong-joo
Yoon Dong-joo, one of the most beloved poets by Koreans,
Why do we love him?
His literary brilliance, along with the humanity and spirit of resistance, ensures that we always remember him.
In his poetry, using beautiful, easy-to-understand language and nature, the word “shame” frequently appears.
We should pay attention to the word “shame,” which completely reflects the world of Yoon Dong-joo's poetry and life.
While spending the best years of his life at Yonhee College (1938-1941) where he wrote many famous poems, he was also tormented by the helplessness of having to resist Japanese colonization with only a pen.
His poems reflect his introspection and agony over himself. In this regard, His pure humanity expressed in the word “shame” resonates with us.
He prepared to publish the collection of his poems “Heaven and Wind and Stars and Poems” amid the strong execution of Japan's policy of cultural annihilation.
Writing poems in Korean was itself an independence movement in an era when the literary community and the media changed their stance toward pro-Japanese.
His poetry shows a noble peace struggle in itself, as he resisted with his pen even while studying in Japan.
Even while being arrested and tried by the Japanese, he kept advocating his belief in the independence of Korea, demonstrating an indomitable spirit of independence that shone brighter than anyone else's.
On February 16, 1945, he mysteriously died in the Fukuoka Prison.
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of his death.
Though he rests in eternal sleep, his poetry lives on forever.
Let’s remember our beloved poet, Yoon Dong-joo, and appreciate his beautiful poems.
Link : https://youtu.be/hWTsf0DMFKQ?si=QXV1yaIypq8SirhX