Dr. Jiwon Yoon
@jiwonyoon.bsky.social
Exploring the roots of modern Korean society—democracy, education, and culture.
https://yoonjiwon.substack.com/
https://yoonjiwon.substack.com/
Finally, #MarchForTheBeloved #임을위한행진곡
It was written for a "spirit wedding" of two activists killed in Gwangju.
The government banned it.
But you cannot arrest a melody.
You can hear it in every protest and every strike.
youtu.be/3lFAIdG9Iqw?...
It was written for a "spirit wedding" of two activists killed in Gwangju.
The government banned it.
But you cannot arrest a melody.
You can hear it in every protest and every strike.
youtu.be/3lFAIdG9Iqw?...
November 21, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Finally, #MarchForTheBeloved #임을위한행진곡
It was written for a "spirit wedding" of two activists killed in Gwangju.
The government banned it.
But you cannot arrest a melody.
You can hear it in every protest and every strike.
youtu.be/3lFAIdG9Iqw?...
It was written for a "spirit wedding" of two activists killed in Gwangju.
The government banned it.
But you cannot arrest a melody.
You can hear it in every protest and every strike.
youtu.be/3lFAIdG9Iqw?...
#LeeKeum-hee singing “Tall Mr. Kim” (키다리 미스터 김).
It was banned because the song offended the “height complex” of President Park Chung-hee, who was known to be short.
#Kpop #bannedsong
youtu.be/foIRsk0Dj8o?...
It was banned because the song offended the “height complex” of President Park Chung-hee, who was known to be short.
#Kpop #bannedsong
youtu.be/foIRsk0Dj8o?...
November 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
#LeeKeum-hee singing “Tall Mr. Kim” (키다리 미스터 김).
It was banned because the song offended the “height complex” of President Park Chung-hee, who was known to be short.
#Kpop #bannedsong
youtu.be/foIRsk0Dj8o?...
It was banned because the song offended the “height complex” of President Park Chung-hee, who was known to be short.
#Kpop #bannedsong
youtu.be/foIRsk0Dj8o?...
#LeeJang-hee: “It’s You” (그건 너).
It was banned because the catchy chorus, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all because of you,” was interpreted as pointing a finger at the President and blaming the government for society’s problems.
#bannedsong #kpop
youtu.be/OI2-autvOwU?...
It was banned because the catchy chorus, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all because of you,” was interpreted as pointing a finger at the President and blaming the government for society’s problems.
#bannedsong #kpop
youtu.be/OI2-autvOwU?...
November 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
#LeeJang-hee: “It’s You” (그건 너).
It was banned because the catchy chorus, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all because of you,” was interpreted as pointing a finger at the President and blaming the government for society’s problems.
#bannedsong #kpop
youtu.be/OI2-autvOwU?...
It was banned because the catchy chorus, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all because of you,” was interpreted as pointing a finger at the President and blaming the government for society’s problems.
#bannedsong #kpop
youtu.be/OI2-autvOwU?...
Does This Sound Dangerous to You?
#YangHee-eun #양희은’s Impossible Love (이루어질 수 없는 사랑) was banned because it supposedly promoted despair, arising the question “Why can’t love be fulfilled?” was, apparently, too negative.
youtu.be/OL7iVO9r0bw?...
#Kpop #bannedsong #금지곡
#YangHee-eun #양희은’s Impossible Love (이루어질 수 없는 사랑) was banned because it supposedly promoted despair, arising the question “Why can’t love be fulfilled?” was, apparently, too negative.
youtu.be/OL7iVO9r0bw?...
#Kpop #bannedsong #금지곡
November 20, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Does This Sound Dangerous to You?
#YangHee-eun #양희은’s Impossible Love (이루어질 수 없는 사랑) was banned because it supposedly promoted despair, arising the question “Why can’t love be fulfilled?” was, apparently, too negative.
youtu.be/OL7iVO9r0bw?...
#Kpop #bannedsong #금지곡
#YangHee-eun #양희은’s Impossible Love (이루어질 수 없는 사랑) was banned because it supposedly promoted despair, arising the question “Why can’t love be fulfilled?” was, apparently, too negative.
youtu.be/OL7iVO9r0bw?...
#Kpop #bannedsong #금지곡
Thank you so much for sharing, @zephtx.bsky.social!
I first would like to share this video. The funeral of Lee Han-yeol in July 1987, caused by a police tear gas canister striking his head. Here, a sea of mourners sings “Morning Dew” (아침이슬) together.
youtu.be/NK1bX3fUrWE?...
I first would like to share this video. The funeral of Lee Han-yeol in July 1987, caused by a police tear gas canister striking his head. Here, a sea of mourners sings “Morning Dew” (아침이슬) together.
youtu.be/NK1bX3fUrWE?...
November 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Thank you so much for sharing, @zephtx.bsky.social!
I first would like to share this video. The funeral of Lee Han-yeol in July 1987, caused by a police tear gas canister striking his head. Here, a sea of mourners sings “Morning Dew” (아침이슬) together.
youtu.be/NK1bX3fUrWE?...
I first would like to share this video. The funeral of Lee Han-yeol in July 1987, caused by a police tear gas canister striking his head. Here, a sea of mourners sings “Morning Dew” (아침이슬) together.
youtu.be/NK1bX3fUrWE?...
Reposted by Dr. Jiwon Yoon
“You can’t arrest a melody” is my favorite line in this great account of resistance and creativity in S Korea. Thank you, @jiwonyoon.bsky.social
You had me at the opening notes of Morning Dew (our mother cat is named Iseul in its honor) youtu.be/DSwM0Km3VsM?...
You had me at the opening notes of Morning Dew (our mother cat is named Iseul in its honor) youtu.be/DSwM0Km3VsM?...
🎧 Podcast: The Dictator’s Playlist: Censorship, Sex, and Sports in Authoritarian South Korea
YouTube video by Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
“You can’t arrest a melody” is my favorite line in this great account of resistance and creativity in S Korea. Thank you, @jiwonyoon.bsky.social
You had me at the opening notes of Morning Dew (our mother cat is named Iseul in its honor) youtu.be/DSwM0Km3VsM?...
You had me at the opening notes of Morning Dew (our mother cat is named Iseul in its honor) youtu.be/DSwM0Km3VsM?...
Thought I’d pivot to writing the show notes on Substack while waiting... only to get hit with a #NetworkError here too. It refuses to save. 🚫
Nowhere is safe. Opening up a blank Word doc. At least my hard drive won't ghost me (hopefully).
#CloudflareOutage
Nowhere is safe. Opening up a blank Word doc. At least my hard drive won't ghost me (hopefully).
#CloudflareOutage
November 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Thought I’d pivot to writing the show notes on Substack while waiting... only to get hit with a #NetworkError here too. It refuses to save. 🚫
Nowhere is safe. Opening up a blank Word doc. At least my hard drive won't ghost me (hopefully).
#CloudflareOutage
Nowhere is safe. Opening up a blank Word doc. At least my hard drive won't ghost me (hopefully).
#CloudflareOutage
The early bird catches... a #CloudflareOutage? 🫠
Woke up at dawn, coffee in hand, ready to crush this podcast edit on Descript. But the internet had other plans.
This is clearly the universe punishing me for not finishing this yesterday. Lesson learned (maybe).
Woke up at dawn, coffee in hand, ready to crush this podcast edit on Descript. But the internet had other plans.
This is clearly the universe punishing me for not finishing this yesterday. Lesson learned (maybe).
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The early bird catches... a #CloudflareOutage? 🫠
Woke up at dawn, coffee in hand, ready to crush this podcast edit on Descript. But the internet had other plans.
This is clearly the universe punishing me for not finishing this yesterday. Lesson learned (maybe).
Woke up at dawn, coffee in hand, ready to crush this podcast edit on Descript. But the internet had other plans.
This is clearly the universe punishing me for not finishing this yesterday. Lesson learned (maybe).
Unpopular opinion:
I am actually glad my creative work does not always give me results equal to the effort I put in.
If every extra hour guaranteed success, I would probably work myself into the ground and call it discipline.
#amwriting #creativelife
I am actually glad my creative work does not always give me results equal to the effort I put in.
If every extra hour guaranteed success, I would probably work myself into the ground and call it discipline.
#amwriting #creativelife
November 17, 2025 at 4:07 AM
Unpopular opinion:
I am actually glad my creative work does not always give me results equal to the effort I put in.
If every extra hour guaranteed success, I would probably work myself into the ground and call it discipline.
#amwriting #creativelife
I am actually glad my creative work does not always give me results equal to the effort I put in.
If every extra hour guaranteed success, I would probably work myself into the ground and call it discipline.
#amwriting #creativelife
Imagine national-scale #PTSD as daily life. That was Korea after 1953.
In 1983, #KBS aired “Finding Dispersed Families.” Two hours became 138 days. Peak viewership hit 78%. Live TV reunions. Cardboard signs. Names and tears.
youtu.be/MFo4IEnojDw?...
In 1983, #KBS aired “Finding Dispersed Families.” Two hours became 138 days. Peak viewership hit 78%. Live TV reunions. Cardboard signs. Names and tears.
youtu.be/MFo4IEnojDw?...
[이산가족 Eng c.c] 너의 이름은 Your real name is | KBS 19830827 방송
YouTube video by KOREAN DIASPORA KBS
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Imagine national-scale #PTSD as daily life. That was Korea after 1953.
In 1983, #KBS aired “Finding Dispersed Families.” Two hours became 138 days. Peak viewership hit 78%. Live TV reunions. Cardboard signs. Names and tears.
youtu.be/MFo4IEnojDw?...
In 1983, #KBS aired “Finding Dispersed Families.” Two hours became 138 days. Peak viewership hit 78%. Live TV reunions. Cardboard signs. Names and tears.
youtu.be/MFo4IEnojDw?...
#War doesn’t just end—it echoes.
The #KoreanWar (1950–53) was a three-year inferno that burned its way into the national psyche.
To understand modern Korea’s urgency and unity, you have to see what the war did to ordinary people.
#History #Korea #Trauma
yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/korean-war...
The #KoreanWar (1950–53) was a three-year inferno that burned its way into the national psyche.
To understand modern Korea’s urgency and unity, you have to see what the war did to ordinary people.
#History #Korea #Trauma
yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/korean-war...
The Three-Year Inferno: Confronting the Brutality of the Korean War
To understand modern Korea's drive, trauma, and contradictions, you must first walk through the hell of 1950-1953
yoonjiwon.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 AM
#War doesn’t just end—it echoes.
The #KoreanWar (1950–53) was a three-year inferno that burned its way into the national psyche.
To understand modern Korea’s urgency and unity, you have to see what the war did to ordinary people.
#History #Korea #Trauma
yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/korean-war...
The #KoreanWar (1950–53) was a three-year inferno that burned its way into the national psyche.
To understand modern Korea’s urgency and unity, you have to see what the war did to ordinary people.
#History #Korea #Trauma
yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/korean-war...
Do you know how #Korea was first divided?
In 1945, two U.S. officers drew a pencil line on a map. That line became the #DMZ and still shapes South Korea’s democracy.
Learn more: yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/how-korea-...
#SouthKorea #KoreanWar #History #Democracy #EastAsia #NorthKorea
In 1945, two U.S. officers drew a pencil line on a map. That line became the #DMZ and still shapes South Korea’s democracy.
Learn more: yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/how-korea-...
#SouthKorea #KoreanWar #History #Democracy #EastAsia #NorthKorea
How a Pencil Line Split Korea
Why Korea’s division is key to understanding South Korea’s democracy
yoonjiwon.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Do you know how #Korea was first divided?
In 1945, two U.S. officers drew a pencil line on a map. That line became the #DMZ and still shapes South Korea’s democracy.
Learn more: yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/how-korea-...
#SouthKorea #KoreanWar #History #Democracy #EastAsia #NorthKorea
In 1945, two U.S. officers drew a pencil line on a map. That line became the #DMZ and still shapes South Korea’s democracy.
Learn more: yoonjiwon.substack.com/p/how-korea-...
#SouthKorea #KoreanWar #History #Democracy #EastAsia #NorthKorea
Proud #voter here: since I became eligible, I never missed an #election: Korea, Korean overseas elections, and now every U.S. election as a citizen.
Today is #ElectionDay. If you haven’t voted yet, please go. Every vote counts.
(Yes, that #skunk covers my info because it’s my 7-year-old’s favorite🦨)
Today is #ElectionDay. If you haven’t voted yet, please go. Every vote counts.
(Yes, that #skunk covers my info because it’s my 7-year-old’s favorite🦨)
November 4, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Proud #voter here: since I became eligible, I never missed an #election: Korea, Korean overseas elections, and now every U.S. election as a citizen.
Today is #ElectionDay. If you haven’t voted yet, please go. Every vote counts.
(Yes, that #skunk covers my info because it’s my 7-year-old’s favorite🦨)
Today is #ElectionDay. If you haven’t voted yet, please go. Every vote counts.
(Yes, that #skunk covers my info because it’s my 7-year-old’s favorite🦨)
Sunday #pediatrics → Seattle Children’s ER for suspected appendicitis.
Thankfully, not appendicitis; likely viral.
First #ER visit ever for our 7-year-old. Last year my husband, this year our kid. Next year I’m breaking the cycle. 🙏
Thankfully, not appendicitis; likely viral.
First #ER visit ever for our 7-year-old. Last year my husband, this year our kid. Next year I’m breaking the cycle. 🙏
November 2, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Sunday #pediatrics → Seattle Children’s ER for suspected appendicitis.
Thankfully, not appendicitis; likely viral.
First #ER visit ever for our 7-year-old. Last year my husband, this year our kid. Next year I’m breaking the cycle. 🙏
Thankfully, not appendicitis; likely viral.
First #ER visit ever for our 7-year-old. Last year my husband, this year our kid. Next year I’m breaking the cycle. 🙏
Have you seen this video?
It beautifully captures Korea's journey from the "Miracle on the Han River" (steel, ships, semiconductors) straight into the new AI Revolution.
#NVIDIA #AI #Korea
youtu.be/KnW9lU0lK5g
It beautifully captures Korea's journey from the "Miracle on the Han River" (steel, ships, semiconductors) straight into the new AI Revolution.
#NVIDIA #AI #Korea
youtu.be/KnW9lU0lK5g
Korea's Next Industrial Revolution
YouTube video by NVIDIA
youtu.be
November 2, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Have you seen this video?
It beautifully captures Korea's journey from the "Miracle on the Han River" (steel, ships, semiconductors) straight into the new AI Revolution.
#NVIDIA #AI #Korea
youtu.be/KnW9lU0lK5g
It beautifully captures Korea's journey from the "Miracle on the Han River" (steel, ships, semiconductors) straight into the new AI Revolution.
#NVIDIA #AI #Korea
youtu.be/KnW9lU0lK5g
Why didn’t #Korea turn cynical after invasion, colonization, war, and #dictatorships?
New video: uri (우리), small wins that compound, shared effort, humor (pungja, haehak), and the Daedong ideal.
The “crown” moment shows why the U.S. and Korea read the same event differently.
New video: uri (우리), small wins that compound, shared effort, humor (pungja, haehak), and the Daedong ideal.
The “crown” moment shows why the U.S. and Korea read the same event differently.
Why Korea Did Not Become Cynical
YouTube video by Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time
youtube.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Why didn’t #Korea turn cynical after invasion, colonization, war, and #dictatorships?
New video: uri (우리), small wins that compound, shared effort, humor (pungja, haehak), and the Daedong ideal.
The “crown” moment shows why the U.S. and Korea read the same event differently.
New video: uri (우리), small wins that compound, shared effort, humor (pungja, haehak), and the Daedong ideal.
The “crown” moment shows why the U.S. and Korea read the same event differently.
#Korea’s quiet #superpower is #uri (우리), the “we.”
History could have produced cynicism, yet people kept building. “Try anyway” is learned from patterns: rebuild after war, win back #democracy, recover from the 1997 crisis.
History could have produced cynicism, yet people kept building. “Try anyway” is learned from patterns: rebuild after war, win back #democracy, recover from the 1997 crisis.
October 27, 2025 at 11:19 PM
#Korea’s quiet #superpower is #uri (우리), the “we.”
History could have produced cynicism, yet people kept building. “Try anyway” is learned from patterns: rebuild after war, win back #democracy, recover from the 1997 crisis.
History could have produced cynicism, yet people kept building. “Try anyway” is learned from patterns: rebuild after war, win back #democracy, recover from the 1997 crisis.
Power’s out in our neighborhood, but our family’s making memories at the #YMCA!
It's a small-scale lesson in #resilience, making the best of what you have.
So what a perfect moment to share my article exploring this very theme on a national scale.
The final part of my series on the #Korean "we"
It's a small-scale lesson in #resilience, making the best of what you have.
So what a perfect moment to share my article exploring this very theme on a national scale.
The final part of my series on the #Korean "we"
Inside the Korean “We (Uri),” Part 3
How laughter fuels resilience, and why the dream of a perfect “we” survives in a hyper-competitive age.
yoonjiwon.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Power’s out in our neighborhood, but our family’s making memories at the #YMCA!
It's a small-scale lesson in #resilience, making the best of what you have.
So what a perfect moment to share my article exploring this very theme on a national scale.
The final part of my series on the #Korean "we"
It's a small-scale lesson in #resilience, making the best of what you have.
So what a perfect moment to share my article exploring this very theme on a national scale.
The final part of my series on the #Korean "we"
Many know me for writing about #SouthKorean society. But long before , my work began with #NorthKorea and with defectors.
I’m now co-writing a memoir with Kumhee, my former student from North Korea. The first essay is out now in Periphery.
I’m now co-writing a memoir with Kumhee, my former student from North Korea. The first essay is out now in Periphery.
Crossing the Desert of Illegality
Memoir by Jiwon Yoon
peripherylit.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Many know me for writing about #SouthKorean society. But long before , my work began with #NorthKorea and with defectors.
I’m now co-writing a memoir with Kumhee, my former student from North Korea. The first essay is out now in Periphery.
I’m now co-writing a memoir with Kumhee, my former student from North Korea. The first essay is out now in Periphery.
I started to make a #Linktree, then remembered I already have a website. So I built a simple #hub instead.
All my links are here. If you use any of these #platforms, I’d love to connect 😊
Links: www.jiwon-yoon.com/links
All my links are here. If you use any of these #platforms, I’d love to connect 😊
Links: www.jiwon-yoon.com/links
Links - Jiwon Yoon, Ph.D.
Explore Jiwon's insightful blog where she merges her extensive academic expertise in media and communication with real-life parenting experiences. Dive into topics ranging from media literacy and cult...
www.jiwon-yoon.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I started to make a #Linktree, then remembered I already have a website. So I built a simple #hub instead.
All my links are here. If you use any of these #platforms, I’d love to connect 😊
Links: www.jiwon-yoon.com/links
All my links are here. If you use any of these #platforms, I’d love to connect 😊
Links: www.jiwon-yoon.com/links
Huge thanks to @zephtx.bsky.social for sharing my video on Bluesky! 🙏
Moments like this remind me how connected we all are — every post, every voice adds to something bigger. 💜
#NoKings #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
Moments like this remind me how connected we all are — every post, every voice adds to something bigger. 💜
#NoKings #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
October 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Huge thanks to @zephtx.bsky.social for sharing my video on Bluesky! 🙏
Moments like this remind me how connected we all are — every post, every voice adds to something bigger. 💜
#NoKings #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
Moments like this remind me how connected we all are — every post, every voice adds to something bigger. 💜
#NoKings #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
So grateful to realize that the people fearlessly raising their voices like this are my neighbors. 💛
#NoKings #BothellWA #Bothell #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
#NoKings #BothellWA #Bothell #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
October 20, 2025 at 12:48 AM
So grateful to realize that the people fearlessly raising their voices like this are my neighbors. 💛
#NoKings #BothellWA #Bothell #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
#NoKings #BothellWA #Bothell #PeoplePower #DemocracyInAction
Reposted by Dr. Jiwon Yoon
No Kings Day in Bothell, WA
YouTube video by Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time
youtube.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:32 PM
#NoKingsDayinBothell,WA
We dropped our daughter at Saturday Korean school and came here.
The whole time we kept saying, ‘We should’ve brought her. This is real education.’
Every sign and chant hit hard, and I just kept tearing up.
#NoKings #PeoplePower
We dropped our daughter at Saturday Korean school and came here.
The whole time we kept saying, ‘We should’ve brought her. This is real education.’
Every sign and chant hit hard, and I just kept tearing up.
#NoKings #PeoplePower
October 18, 2025 at 9:42 PM
#NoKingsDayinBothell,WA
We dropped our daughter at Saturday Korean school and came here.
The whole time we kept saying, ‘We should’ve brought her. This is real education.’
Every sign and chant hit hard, and I just kept tearing up.
#NoKings #PeoplePower
We dropped our daughter at Saturday Korean school and came here.
The whole time we kept saying, ‘We should’ve brought her. This is real education.’
Every sign and chant hit hard, and I just kept tearing up.
#NoKings #PeoplePower