Musicians: Yun Isang (윤이상)

2012 Travel Diary 9: Yun Isang — Victim of the Cold War

posted updated 22 Apr 2018 by Philip Gowman 7 minute read

Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. For most big Korean cultural events there’s a glossy brochure with a welcome message from various officials and dignitaries. And for the most important events you might expect a welcome message from the Minister of Culture. It is a measure of the sensitivity of the Tongyeong International Music Festival’s […]

2012 Travel Diary 8: Yun Isang, Sancheong and Tongyeong

posted updated 22 Apr 2018 by Philip Gowman 4 minute read

Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Monday 26 March 2012. The day has been devoted mainly to exploring some of the Joseon dynasty naval history in which Tongyeong played its part. But we’re also in Tongyeong to attend the Tongyeong International Music Festival, focusing on concerts which have music by Tongyeong’s most famous musical son, composer Yun Isang. In […]

Oh Kil-nam, double defector, on the BBC

posted updated 7 Dec 2017 by Philip Gowman 1 minute read

Interesting interview with Oh Kil-nam on the BBC website. Oh defected from the South to the North with his family (partly at the persuasion of composer Yun Isang), realised his mistake and defected back – on his own. His wife and daughters (now known as the Daughters of Tongyeong) got sent to Yodok. You can […]

Yun Isang memorial hall opens in Tongyeong

posted updated 16 Dec 2017 by Philip Gowman 1 minute read

Memorial park opens to honour one of Korea's most famous composers, Yun Isang, in his home town, at a cost of 8 billion won – JoongAng Daily http://bit.ly/9B2doC # “It feels like father’s spirit has returned here,” said his daughter Yun Yun-jeong at the opening ceremony, while shedding tears, according to the JoongAng Daily.