Bonus Episode: Introducing the Zainichi Music Project

Bonus Episode: Introducing the Zainichi Music Project

Author: Yukimi Song November 23, 2025 Duration: 6:48

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

Happy Thanksgiving! In this bonus episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal — a part of my identity I’ve rarely spoken about publicly. I am a third-generation Zainichi Korean, born and raised in Japan, and I’m finally stepping into that history through a new creative initiative called The Zainichi Music Project, now sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts.

This episode marks the beginning of that journey — a project that will grow into a living archive of research, new music commissions, recordings, interviews, and documentary work.

In this episode, I talk about:

  • What the word Zainichi actually means,
  • How Japanese colonial rule — not immigration — brought our community into Japan,
  • How postwar restructuring and the San Francisco Peace Treaty left Zainichi Koreans stateless,
  • What it meant to be born and raised in a country that never fully recognized us as citizens,
  • And why this project is my way of honoring our history, resilience, and creative legacy.

For those who want to go deeper, please read my Substack essay, “Behind the Mic: Reclaiming Voice Through Sound,” where I share more about my experience growing up Zainichi.

Thank you for listening — and for being part of The Piano Pod community. If you’d like to follow this new project, you can subscribe to Substack and follow @zainichimusicproject on Instagram and TikTok.

More soon, and thank you for supporting this next chapter.


Hosted by New York-based classical pianist and educator Yukimi Song, The Piano Pod serves as a genuine meeting point for anyone captivated by the keyboard. This isn't just a series of conversations about famous composers, though they certainly come up. Instead, Yukimi builds a global hub where the rich traditions of piano music intersect directly with contemporary innovation and practical education. Every other week, the podcast delves into the specific, often overlooked details that bring the music to life-from the technical choices of a concert pianist to the pedagogical insights of a master teacher, and even the perspectives of those designing the future of the instrument itself. Listeners become part of a broader connection, hearing stories and expertise that move beyond the concert hall. The discussions are intimate and revealing, focusing on the real work behind the artistry. You'll hear about the challenges of interpretation, the evolution of teaching methods, and how technology is reshaping what's possible. It’s a space where curiosity about the piano’s past, present, and future is the only prerequisite. For enthusiasts, students, and professionals alike, this podcast offers a consistent source of inspiration and a deeper understanding of the complex, fascinating ecosystem that exists around those eighty-eight keys.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music
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