Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State
- Directed by: Jinyoung Lee
- Released: 2026 (educational)
- Year of Production: 2021
Journalist Jinyoung Lee explores the inspiring history of Koreans in Hawaii. 102 Koreans came to Hawaii on January 13, 1903, starting the Korean immigration to the Americas. This small and forlorn group made incredible sacrifices and started the influx of Korean culture and heritage to the Hawaiian Islands. Jinyoung interviews various people in a look back on the lives of these initial Korean immigrants. This is to shed light on one of the colors of the Hawaiian rainbow that is Korea and to discuss the values toward each other in this unique time of ethnicism amidst a pandemic.
PrologueEpisode 01
We meet with third-generation Korean American writer Gary Pak in
a botanical garden on the island of Oahu. His grandmother Ok Soon
Lim was a so-called ‘picture bride’ who came to Hawaii from Korea
in 1910. The writer provides profound insight into the words of love
passed down by his grandmother, who raised a dozen children in a
foreign land.
Episode 02
Harry Kim is a household name on the Big Island of Hawaii. The
former mayor of Hilo was born as the youngest among eight
children from a sugarcane plantation worker and a picture bride
from Korea. The role of his parents was crucial in Harry’s becoming
a leading Hawaiian political figure.
The former Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, Ronald Moon,
discusses his grandfather’s arrival in Hawaii from Korea a century ago.
Like others in those first waves of Korean immigrants to America, they
carried little more than their culture, their values and a strong work
ethic. Moon says: "I have no reservations in saying that if not for my
parents’ teachings and values, I certainly would not be here."
Episode 04
Michael Lim, a violinist of the Hawaii Symphony, tries to learn more
about his great-grandparents. From the viewpoint of their
great-grandson, we gaze into the lives of this courageous couple and
their legacy in the history of the Hawaiian Korean community.
Episode 05
The season finale for WWRS begins quite far away from Hawaii.
Jinyoung goes to Incheon to retrace the footsteps of her ancestors
from 120 years ago. At the Museum of Korea Emigration History in
Incheon, she meets Daisy Yang, who shares words of wisdom passed
down from her grandparents and parents, adding that "love will protect
you from all harms."
Official Invitation to the 41st Hawaii International Film Festival
Stockholm City Film Festival, Finalist
Liberty International Film Festival, Official Invitation & Best Debut Filmmaker Award
China International New Media Short Film Festival
Denmark International Women’s Film Festival
Aporium International Village Film Festival
" A powerful visual record of the Koreans who immigrated to Hawaiʻi in 1903—who, despite hardship, held onto the hope of their homeland’s independence—and the extraordinary legacy carried on by their descendants." - National Archives of Korea
"A moving and beautiful portrayal of Korean immigrant history and hardship. " - Harry Kim, The First Korean American Mayor in the US
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.