East Asia Now

About East Asia Now

East Asia Now explores connections between East Asia and the United States through interviews, discussions, and lectures. It is an outreach initiative of the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Publisher

Center for East Asian Studies, UW—Madison

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Jun 2018

Latest episode

5 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

36 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Mar 2026

   Hyuk YU Oral History Ep. 4 | With the US Army During the Korean War

   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. In the final episode of our series, Professor YU recounts his time as a civilian employee for the U.S. Army during the most desperate months of the Korean War. Professor YU shares his eyewitness account of the historic Hungnam Evacuation and describes how his relationship with an American Colonel eventually paved his way to a new life in the United States. 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. 달마지 Dalmaji Sung by Wang Subok 왕수복 Lyrics by Yi Woonbang 이운방 Composed by Kim Myeon-kyun 김면균 Originally issued as Polydor 19375-A in December 1935 애수의 소야곡 Aesu-ui Soyagok Sung by Nam Insu 남인수 Lyrics by Yi Nohong 이노홍 Composed by Park Sichun 박시춘 Originally issued as Okeh 12080-A in December 1937 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. 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. 번지없는 주막 Beonji-upneun Jumak Sung by Baek Nyeonseol 백년설 Lyrics by Park Yeongho 박영호 Composed by Yi Jaeho 이재호 Originally issued as Taihei GC-3007-A in August 1940.

2. 

   26 Feb 2026

   Hyuk YU Oral History Ep. 3 | The Korean War in Incheon

   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. In this episode, we will discuss his experiences during the opening weeks of the Korean War. Unlike millions of other Koreans, Professor YU’s family chose not to flee further south during the war, but to ride out the conflict in Incheon. This decision surely spared them from some hardships, but exposed them to others. 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. 신라의 달밤 Silla-ui Dalbam Sung by Hyeon In 현인 Lyrics by Yu Ho 유호 Composed by Park Sichun 박시춘 Originally issued as Lucky L7701-A in May 1949 도라지타령 Doraji-Taryeong Sung by Kang Namhyang, Ko Boksu, Yi Nanyong 강남향, 고복수, 이난영 Traditional (Folksong) Originally issued as Okeh 1696-A in January 1935. 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

3. 

   19 Feb 2026

   Hyuk YU Oral History Ep. 2 | Liberation, Occupation, and Displacement

   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. In this episode, we will discuss his family's experience under Soviet occupation, their flight from North Korea communism, and their life in South Korea as North Korean refugees. 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. 조선팔경가 Joseon-Palgyong-ga Sung by Seonwoo Ilseon 선우일선 Lyrics by Pyonwol 편월 Composed by Hyung Seok-gi 형석기 Originally issued as Polydor 19290-A in March 1936. 눈물젖은 두만강 Nunmul-jeojeun Dumangang Sung by Kim Jeong-gu 김정구 Lyrics by Kim Yong-ho 김용호 Composed by Yi Si-woo 이시우 Originally issued as Okeh 12094-A in January 1937. 굳세어라 금순아 Gutse-eora Geumsuna Sung by Hyeon In 현인 Lyrics by Kang Hae-in 강해인 Composed by Park Sichun 박시춘 Originally issued as Orient R8025-A in October 1952.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

33,723

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

44

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

32

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Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.