Hyuk YU Oral History Ep. 1 | Colonial Korea: Witnessing the End of an Era

Over a six-month period from October 2024 until March 2025, CEAS Associate Director David Fields had the incredible opportunity to record an extensive oral history with Hyuk YU, emeritus professor of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. While he is best known as a chemist, this oral history focused on Professor Yu’s early life in Korea. Born in 1933, Professor YU was an eye-witness to many of the historical events that shaped the Korean peninsula in the first half of the 20th century. This episode will focus on Professor YU's childhood in the far north of Korea. Born in the "exile locale" of Kapsan in 1933, he offers a rare eyewitness account of life under Japanese colonial rule and what it means to be Korean in the Japanese Empire. This episode was co-produced, edited, and mastered by Nate Gass. Jihoon Suk selected, restored, and digitally transferred the music on this episode. Music Credits 삼수갑산 Samsu Gapsan Sung by Kang Hongsik 강홍식 Lyrics by Kim Anseo 김안서(김억) Music by Kim Kyoseong 김교성 Recorded on May 9th, 1933 Originally issued as Victor 49233-A in September 1933. 방랑가 Bangrang-ga Sung by Kang Seokyeon 강석영 Lyrics by Kim Yeonghwan 김영환 Music by Kang Yunseok 강윤석 Recorded on March 22nd, 1931. Originally issued as Columbia 40138-A in July 1931. 달없는 항로 Dalupneun Hangno Sung by Yi Nanyeong 이난영 Lyrics by Kim Yong-ho 김용호 Composed by Um Jae-geun 엄재근 Originally issued as Okeh 12237-B in May 1939. 타향 Tahyang Sung by Ko Boksu 고복수 Lyrics by Keum Neung-in 금능인 Composed by Sohn Mokin 손목인 Originally issued as Okeh 1677-B in April 1934.