August 2025

Countless stars twinkling in the night sky

Yun Dong-ju’s ‘Byeol Heneun Bam’ Unveiled: Korean Poetry Explained

Yun Dong-ju’s “Byeol Heneun Bam” reveals profound longing, identity, and hope under colonial oppression. Through poetic metaphors of stars, seasons, and silence, the poem navigates memory, youth, and rebirth. This analysis uncovers the emotional layers of one of Korea’s most beloved poems and the quiet resistance embedded in each verse. A must-read for learners of Korean poetry and history.

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Black-and-white photograph of poet Yun Dong-ju wearing a school uniform with his hair cut short

Yun Dong-ju’s “Self-Portrait”: A Mirror into Memory and Inner Conflict

Through a secluded well, Yun Dong-ju confronts his own soul in “Self-Portrait.” This powerful poem reflects emotional tension between shame, pity, and longing, rendered in stark simplicity. Set in colonial Korea, the introspective work captures universal struggles of identity, memory, and moral conflict. A poetic confession that continues to resonate today.

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A lone tree standing in a field bathed in golden rays of sunlight.

Sunlight Whispering on the Stone Wall: Kim Yeong-nang’s Poetic Masterpiece

Kim Yeong-nang’s “Sunlight Whispering on the Stone Wall” captures a tranquil spring day with radiant imagery and emotional subtlety. This analysis explores the poem’s lyrical beauty, thematic depth, and the poet’s elegant use of the Korean language to evoke peace, purity, and introspective longing.

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A cow grooming another cow in a field

Discover Nostalgia in Jeong Ji‑yong’s “향수” — A Moving Dive into Korean Poetry

Jeong Ji‑yong’s poem “향수” (“Nostalgia”) evokes vivid rural scenes—fields, brooks, family, memory—under colonial shadows. Through precise imagery and poignant refrain, the poem sings of longing for home that endures even in dreams, reflecting personal and cultural yearning in modern Korean poetry.

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Nighttime photograph of the Admiral Yi Sun-sin statue at Gwanghwamun Square, illuminated against the dark sky.

Learn Korean History & Poetry: Yi Sun-sin’s “Hansan Island” Sijo

Explore the poetic soul of Korea’s revered naval commander Yi Sun-sin through his sijo, “On a Moonlit Night at Hansan Island.” Written during the Imjin War, this piece reveals his inner turmoil and military resolve. Learn its historical and grammatical context, and dive into the emotional nuance that continues to move readers centuries later.

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Lee Mu-jin performing Han Young-ae’s Isn’t Anyone There on the stage of Sing Again.

Isn’t Anyone There – Learn Korean Through a Legendary Blues Song

“Isn’t Anyone There” is Han Young-ae’s signature song and an iconic masterpiece of Korean blues. It is not a simple call, but a poetic cry infused with solitude, resignation, and a faint glimmer of hope. In this post, we explore learning-focused sentences inspired by its lyrics, the nuance of the “-so” sentence ending, and the cultural sentiment of calling out in Korean tradition. Experience a special moment of learning Korean through music.

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