Under the Black Umbrella

Under the Black Umbrella collects oral histories and personal accounts from Koreans who lived through the Japanese colonial period from 1910-1945. Through interviews conducted decades after the occupation ended, Kang documents the everyday experiences of ordinary citizens during this transformative era. The book presents firsthand testimonies of life under colonial rule, covering topics from education and employment to cultural changes and social dynamics. These narratives come from people across different social classes and regions, offering multiple perspectives on the complex relationship between Korean citizens and Japanese authorities. The work serves as a departure from traditional historical accounts of the period by focusing on individual stories rather than broader political movements. Through these personal histories, the book reveals the nuanced reality of colonial life and challenges simplified narratives about Korean-Japanese relations during this period.

Readers appreciate the oral history approach and firsthand accounts from ordinary Korean citizens during the Japanese occupation period. The personal narratives provide perspectives beyond the usual political focus, showing daily life and varied experiences of Koreans who both resisted and cooperated with Japanese rule. Readers highlight the book's balanced tone and lack of anti-Japanese sentiment. Several note how it challenges assumptions about universal Korean suffering under occupation. Main criticism centers on the narrow scope of interviewees - mostly educated, middle/upper-class individuals from Seoul. Some readers wanted more diverse voices from rural areas and lower social classes. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) "Offers nuanced views that go beyond the standard narrative" - Goodreads reviewer "Too limited in its interview sample" - Amazon reviewer "The personal stories make history come alive" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔸 The title "Under the Black Umbrella" symbolizes Japanese colonial rule casting a shadow over Korea, while also representing protection and survival during difficult times. 🔸 Author Hildi Kang conducted over 30 in-depth interviews with Koreans who lived during the colonial period, including both those who remained in Korea and those who later immigrated to America. 🔸 The Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) saw the implementation of a policy called "sōshi-kaimei," which forced Koreans to adopt Japanese names and abandon their Korean ones. 🔸 Despite popular belief that all Koreans universally resisted Japanese rule, the book reveals that many people found ways to adapt and even prosper during this period while maintaining their Korean identity. 🔸 The research for this book spanned over a decade, with many interviews conducted in the 1990s when most subjects were in their 70s and 80s, capturing their memories before they were lost to time.