Embark on a captivating musical journey weaving three compelling stories from Hawai‘i’s Korean diaspora with performances by remarkable musicians, including the Grammy Award-winning violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, the world renowned violinists Chee-Yun and Ignace Jang, and Keola Beamer.

Songs of Love from Hawai‘i weaves together three stories from the long history of Korean diaspora in Hawai‘i, blending historical narratives with soul-stirring musical performances. From the fascinating tapestry of Korean immigrant history in Hawai‘i to a poignant life of Lim Ok Soon, a young Korean woman who came to Hawai‘i in 1912 as a picture bride, to a heartfelt musical tribute to the souls who found their resting place in Molokai's Kalaupapa, the film weaves a powerful elegy amidst the islands' natural beauty.

After premiering at the 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival and airing on PBS Hawai‘i, the film had a successful nationwide theatrical run in Korea in 2024.

On Korean American Day, join us for a special screening of the film, followed by a conversation with filmmaker Jinyoung Lee.

Songs of Love from Hawai‘i: Screening and a Director's Talk

In-Person: Monday, January 13, 2025 | 6 PM
Video Release: Tuesday, January 14, 2025

The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017

About the Speaker:

Jinyoung Lee is an award-winning journalist-turned-filmmaker. Her debut film, The Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State (2021), was screened at the 41st Hawaiʻi International Film Festival. Her latest project, Songs of Love (2024), skillfully merges cultures through music, combining rare historical photographs with enchanting performances by world-renowned musicians. Lee has won accolades from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea's Digital Contents Competition and won the Best Emerging Filmmaker Award from the Liberty International Movie Festival and the Tagore International Film Festival.

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