Yun Dong-ju or Yoon Dong-ju (, ; 30 December 1917 – 16 February 1945) was a Korean poet. He is known for his
lyric poetries and for his poems dedicated to the
Korean independence movement
The Korean independence movement was a series of diplomatic and militant efforts to liberate Korea from Japanese rule. The movement began around the late 19th or early 20th century, and ended with the surrender of Japan in 1945. As independence a ...
against the
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan, also known as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was the Japanese nation state that existed from the Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, until the Constitution of Japan took effect on May 3, 1947. From Japan–Kor ...
.
Yun was born in Longjing, Jilin, China.
[""Yoon Dongju" LTI Korea Datasheet available at LTI Korea Library or online at: ] After studying at the Myeongdong School, he moved to
Pyongyang
Pyongyang () is the Capital city, capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is sometimes labeled as the "Capital of the Revolution" (). Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. Accordi ...
and graduated from Soongsil Middle School (now Soongsil High School in
Seoul
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...
). He later moved to Seoul and attended
Yonhi College
Yonsei University () is a private Christian research university located in Seoul, South Korea. Yonsei is one of the three most prestigious universities in the country, part of a group referred to as SKY universities.
The university traces its ...
. During his second year at Yonhi College, he published a poem in the boy magazine, and officially appeared in the paragraph. In 1942, he went to Japan and entered the English Literature Department at Rikkyo University, but later that year, he transferred to the English Literature Department at Doshisha University. But was arrested by the Japanese police for alleged anti-Japanese movements in 1943. While imprisoned in Fukuoka, he died at the age of 28, leaving over 100 poems. His cause of death in a Fukuoka prison is uncertain, but theories have been raised based on accounts of saltwater injections and medical experiments performed at that prison. His book, ''The Sky, the Wind, the Stars, and the Poem'' (하늘과 바람과 별과 詩), was published posthumously.
He was recognized as one of the conscientious intellectuals in the latter half of the Japanese colonial period, and his poems were based on criticism and self-reflection of the Japanese colonial government and the Joseon Governor-General. His cousin and close friend, , was arrested while attempting to join the independence movement and was subjected to Japanese experimentation in Japan. While in Japan, he adopted the Japanese name, Hiranuma (平沼). In addition to his Korean name, the nicknames Dongju and Yunju were also used.
Biography

Yun Dong-ju was born as the eldest son among the four children of his father Yun Yeong-seok and his mother Kim Yong at Mingdong village (also known as Myeongdong-chon) in
Longjing, where many Korean settlers in China lived during the Japanese occupation of Korea. As a child, he was called "Haehwan" (해환, 海煥 ). He entered Eunjin Middle School in Longjing in 1932 and moved to Pyeongyang to attend Soongsil Middle School in 1936. When the school was closed down in the same year he moved back to Longjing.
On 27 December 1941, aged 23, he graduated from
Yonhi College
Yonsei University () is a private Christian research university located in Seoul, South Korea. Yonsei is one of the three most prestigious universities in the country, part of a group referred to as SKY universities.
The university traces its ...
, in Seoul which later became
Yonsei University
Yonsei University () is a Private university, private Christian university, Christian research university located in Seoul, South Korea. Yonsei is one of the three most prestigious universities in the country, part of a group referred to as SK ...
.
He had been writing poetry from time to time and chose 19 poems to publish in a collection he intended to call "Sky, Wind, Star, and Poem" (), but he was unable to get it published.
After crossing over to Japan, entering Kyoto Doshisha University in 1942, arrested by the Japanese police for an independence movement in 1943, imprisoned in a Fukuoka prison, leaving over 100 poems and died in prison at the age of 28. The view that the signing of the Japanese saltwater Vivo and after his death the Japanese by Maruta is uncertain, but raising theories, biological experiments.
The government of South Korea recognized Yun Dong-ju's contributions to the independence movement by awarding him the Order of Merit for National Foundation (Independence Medal) on August 15, 1990.
Legacy
In 1948 three collections of his handwritten manuscripts were published posthumously as "The Heavens and the Wind and the Stars and Poetry" (''Haneulgwa Baramgwa Byeolgwa Si''). With the appearance of this volume Yun came into the spotlight as a Resistance poet of the late occupation period.
In November 1968,
Yonsei University
Yonsei University () is a Private university, private Christian university, Christian research university located in Seoul, South Korea. Yonsei is one of the three most prestigious universities in the country, part of a group referred to as SK ...
and others established an endowment for the Yun Tong-ju Poetry Prize. In 2007, he was listed by the Korean Poets' Association among the ten most important modern Korean poets.
Work
The
Literature Translation Institute of Korea
The Literature Translation Institute of Korea (, LTI Korea, formerly known as Korean Literature Translation Fund) was founded in 1996 by the Government of South Korea with the aim of promoting Korean literature and culture overseas.
LTI Korea r ...
summarizes Yun's contributions to Korean literature:
: Yun’s poetry is notable for the childlike persona of his narrators, sensitive awareness of a lost hometown, and an unusual scapegoat mentality deriving from a sense of shame at not being able to lead a conscientious life in a period of gloomy social realities. "Life and Death" (''Salmgwa jugeum'') is representative of the poems dating from 1934 to 1936, his period of literary apprenticeship. It describes the conflict between life and death, or light and darkness, but its poetic framework is more or less crude. From 1937 onwards, however, his poems reveal ruthless introspection and anxiety about the dark realities of the times. The poems of this later period reach clear literary fruition in terms of their reflection on the inner self and their recognition of nationalist realities, as embodied in the poet's own experiences. In particular, they evince a steely spirit that attempts to overcome anxiety, loneliness, and despair and to surmount contemporary realities through hope and courage.
Collection of poems
* New Myeong-dong
* Another Hometown
* Sky, Wind, Star, and Poem
* Those Who love the stars
* One Night I Count the Stars
etc...
''Sky, Wind, Star and Poem''
In January 1948, 31 of his poems were published by Jeongeumsa (, 正音社), together with an introduction by the fellow poet
Chong Ji-yong
Jeong Ji-yong, often romanized in literature as Cheong Chi-yong (; 20 June 1902 – 1950), was a Korean poet and translator of English poetry who "opened a new horizon of poetic possibilities through chiselled expression, tempered sentiments, ...
; this work was also titled ''Sky, Wind, Star, and Poem'' (). His poetry had a huge impact. In 1976, Yun's relatives collected his other poems and added them to a third edition of the book. The poems that are in this edition (116 in total) are considered to be most of Yun's works.
In a 1986 survey, he was selected as 'the most popular poet amongst the youth' and his popularity continues to this day.
"SKY, WIND, AND STARS", the first English translation of Yun's complete poetic works was published by the Asian Humanities Press of Fremont, CA, in the U.S.A. The translators: Kyung-Nyun Kim Richards(김경년), Steffen F. Richards. The translation and the publication were supported in part by the Grants from KLTI(한국문학번역원) and the Institute of Korean Literature and Arts(문예진흥재단)
In 2020, Korean-American Byun Man-sik translated Yoon Dong-ju's representative poems as ''Yoon Dong-ju: Selected Poems'' into English.
In popular culture
*
Park Bo-gum
Park Bo-gum (; born June 16, 1993) is a South Korean actor, singer, and musician. A prominent Korean Wave figure, Park is the youngest artist to be named Gallup Korea's Actor of the Year, Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year and the firs ...
’s character in the South Korean television series
''Good Boy'' (2025) is named after Yun
* In the 2024 K-Drama series ''What Comes After Love'' with Korean actress
Lee Se-young
Lee Se-young (; born December 20, 1992) is a South Korean actress. She debuted as a child actress in 1997 and was best known for her roles in '' Dae Jang Geum'' (2003), '' When I Turned Nine'' (2004), ''Lovely Rivals'' (2004), and ''The Wonder ...
and Japanese actor
Kentaro Sakaguchi
is a Japanese actor and model. He debuted as a model in ''Men's Non-no'' magazine in 2010, and as an actor under Tristone Entertainment in 2014. He has since starred in television series '' Tokyo Tarareba Musume'' (2017) and ''Signal'' (2018), ...
,
Yun Dong-ju's Yun may refer to:
*Yǔn, Chinese name of Xionites, a nomadic tribe of Central Asia
*Yun (Chinese name) (云/雲), a Chinese family name
*Yun (ancient surname), an ancient Chinese surname
*Yeon, or Yun, Korean (or Dutch given name) family name
*Yun ...
Poetry volume ''The Sky, the Wind, the Stars, and the Poem'' was featured heavily as a source of inspiration for the female main character and a link between the both main characters - but also her link to her father's history with Japan during his studies abroad - throughout the drama. Yun Dong-ju's memorial plate (also referred to as ''Poetry Stone'' commemorating the 50th anniversary of his death) in front of
Doshisha University
, also referred to as , is a private university in Kyoto, Japan. Established in 1875, it is one of Japan's oldest private institutions of higher learning, and has approximately 30,000 students enrolled on four campuses in Kyoto. It is one of Japa ...
chapel, in Kyoto, was also featured in the series as a location.
* The movie ''
DongJu: The Portrait of a Poet'' was released in February 2016. It depicts the lives of Yun Dong-ju and Song Mong-gyu in the setting of the Japanese colonial era. Yun is portrayed by actor
Kang Ha-Neul
Kim Ha-neul (; February 21, 1990), known professionally as Kang Ha-neul (), is a South Korean actor. He gained early recognition through television dramas such as ''The Heirs'' (2013), '' Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)'', and '' Moon Lovers: S ...
. Several theaters screened the movie with English subtitles.
* In 2011, ''Yun Dong-ju Shoots the Moon'', a musical based on his life, was performed by the Seoul Performing Arts Company.
* On 31 December episode of
Infinite Challenge
''Infinite Challenge'' (; abbreviated as ) is a South Korean comedic reality television show that aired on MBC TV from 2005 to 2018. The show was produced by Kim Tae-ho, and starred various entertainers, including Yoo Jae-suk, Park Myung-soo ...
featured the climax of the history and hip-hop,
Kwanghee
Hwang Kwang-hee (; born August 25, 1988), also known mononymously as Kwanghee, is South Korean singer, actor, and TV personality. He debuted in 2010 as a member of the boy band ZE:A. He is also known for his appearances on variety shows and wa ...
and
Gaeko
Kim Yoon-sung (; born January 14, 1981), known professionally as Gaeko () is a South Korean rapper. He and Choiza comprise the hip hop duo Dynamic Duo, which rose to fame upon the release of their debut album ''Taxi Driver
''Taxi Driver'' ...
featuring
Oh Hyuk
Oh Hyuk (, born October 5, 1993), stylised OHHYUK, is a South Korean singer and musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter of indie rock band Hyukoh.
Background
Born in South Korea, Oh moved to China when ...
from
Hyukoh
Hyukoh () is a South Korean indie band signed to DooRooDooRoo Artist Company. The band was formed in May 2014 and consists of leader, singer, and guitarist Oh Hyuk, bassist Im Dong-geon, guitarist Lim Hyun-jae, and drummer Lee In-woo.
Career Ba ...
performed song title "Your Night" inspired from Yun Dong-ju life and poet.
* In
Lee Jung-myung
Lee Jung-myung is a South Korean writer. A popular writer of historical fiction
Historical fiction is a literary genre in which a fictional plot takes place in the Setting (narrative), setting of particular real past events, historical event ...
's novel ''The Investigation ''(the title of the English translation of original Korean novel) is, ''inter alia, ''"an imaginative paean to" Yun.
* In 2007, ''Yun Dongju'' is recited by "Sam", on South Korean
television series
A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...
"
I Am Sam (TV series)
''I am Sam'' () is a 2007 South Korean television series starring Yang Dong-geun, Park Min-young, Park Jun-gyu, Son Tae-young, and Choi Seung-hyun in his acting debut. It aired on KBS2 from August 6 to October 2, 2007, on Mondays and Tuesdays a ...
", in episode 13.
* The song "Salt, Pepper, Birds, and the Thought Police" by
Mili is thought to be loosely based on the life and poetry of Yun Tongju.
See also
*
List of Korean-language poets
This is a list of Korean-language poets.
Twentieth-century poets
Alphabetical list
A
* An Heon-mi (born 1972)
B
* Baek Seok (1912–1996)
* Bok Koh-il (born 1946)
C
* Chae Ho-ki (born 1957)
* Cheon Sang-byeong (1930–1993)
* Cheon Yang-hee ( ...
*
Korean diaspora
The Korean diaspora consists of around 7.3 million people, both descendants of early emigrants from the Korea, Korean Peninsula, as well as more recent emigrants from Korea. Around 84.5% of overseas Koreans live in just five countries: the Unit ...
*
Korean literature
Korean literature is the body of literature produced by Koreans, mostly in the Korean language and sometimes in Classical Chinese. For much of Korea's 1,500 years of literary history, it was written in Hanja. It is commonly divided into classi ...
References
*
* Choi, Dong-Ho. 2002. "A Study of Intertextuality between Yoon Dong Ju's 'Another Hometown' and Lee Sang's 'The Lineage': Centering on the Poetic Word 'the Skeleton'," ''Journal of the Research Society of Language and Literature'' 39: 309–325.
n Korean
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yun, Dong-ju
1917 births
1945 deaths
Korean Presbyterians
Activists for Korean independence
Literature of Korea under Japanese rule
Korean male poets
Prisoners who died in Japanese detention
Foreign nationals imprisoned in Japan
Korean people who died in prison custody
20th-century Korean poets
Yonsei University alumni
Rikkyo University alumni
Doshisha University alumni
20th-century Korean male writers
Papyeong Yun clan
Korean expatriates in China