Songs of Love From Hawaii

Embark on a mesmerizing musical journey through the multi-faceted history of Korean American immigrants in Hawaiʻi with SONGS OF LOVE, a captivating reverie of song and history. This film weaves together three distinctive episodes, each combining captivating historical narratives with meaningful musical performances. All stories rooted in rich history, highlighting hope, love, and community. Beyond recounting historical milestones, the first episode delves deep into the aspirations that drove these pioneers. An array of previously unseen archival images and footage, including direct descendants of the State''s foremost Korean American leaders like former Mayor Harry Kim and Chief Justice Ronald Moon. Episode 2 weaves a poignant tapestry of the life of Lim Ok Soon, a young Korean woman who was orphaned by the Japanese invasion. With little options, she became a picture bride to a Korean immigrant plantation worker in Hawaiʻi. The concluding episode is a heartfelt musical tribute to the souls who found their rest in Molokaʻi''s Kalaupapa, through hauntingly beautiful renditions of ''Aloha Oe'' and more, with the violin mastery of Chee-yun and Ignace ''Iggy: Jang, coupled with the soulful slack-key guitar of Keola Beamer.

Jinyoung Lee, an award-winning journalist-turned-filmmaker, has been on a creative journey since relocating to Hawaii from Seoul, Korea in 2005. Seamlessly transitioning from journalism to cinema, she leverages her extensive background in Korean media.

In 2012, Lee founded Now Production Films with a compelling vision—to craft impactful films fostering intergenerational connections and bridging cultural divides. Her debut film, “The Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State” (2021), earned global acclaim and featured in prestigious film festivals, including the 41st Hawaii International Film Festival. In her latest project, “Songs of Love” (2024), Lee blends cultures through music, weaving rare historic photographs with performances by world-renowned musicians.

Recognized for her visionary pursuits, Jinyoung Lee has received accolades such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea’s Digital Public Diplomacy Content Award. She is also the recipient of the Best Emerging Filmmaker Award from both the Liberty International Movie Festival and the Tagore International Film Festival.

Jinyoung Lee received a BA degree in Journalism and Multimedia from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. Beyond her contributions to filmmaking, Jinyoung passionately engages with her community as a dedicated cellist in the local orchestra and serves on the board of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

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