I’ve spent much of the year 2022 writing a series of 5 pieces called “From Korea to America – 120 Years and Beyond” for clarinet in B flat, violin, viola, cello, sanjo kayageum/25 string kayageum, and piano). These 5 pieces were inspired by my interviews with 5 long-time friends who’ve come from Korea and have lived in California. The 5 pieces are titled: I. On a Cargo Ship, II. The Flow, III. While Crossing, IV. Happiness Piece, and V. Turning-Point.

“On a Cargo Ship” was inspired by a friend who came to the US on a cargo ship instead of in an airplane many decades ago. She’s become very successful as a pharmacist and has given big donations to a Korean university at which she’d been educated before coming to the US.

I began to imagine the beginning of “The Flow” while listening to a friend’s talking about her life in California as a hard working and kind neighbor.

A long-time college professor in Korea in her 50s came to the US and began a business. “While Crossing” the Pacific Ocean, my friend and her husband promised to begin over fresh in the US. They’ve become successful with their business and are now comfortably retired.

Educated as a pianist in Korea, this friend became a banker in the US. She and her husband achieved their American dream and have led a very happy life together. “Happiness Piece” came to me as I was happily listening to her story.

One of my friends came to the US when she was 3 months old as an adoptee of an American family. She didn’t have much contact with other Koreans until she moved to Northern California where she first heard traditional music from Korea. That Korean music strengthened her identity as a Korean American. She’s now a professor of music. While listening to her talking about her passion for Korean music, I thought of the last section of “Turning-Point”.

I composed this series of 5 pieces with generous support from the San Francisco Artist Grant.