Songs of Love_Their Footsteps

A musical documentary that takes you on a journey of untold stories of sacrifice, love, and hope of the first Korean immigrants in Hawaii and a present day look at what they left behind in the “Aloha State”

  • JINYOUNG LEE WON
    Director
    Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State
  • JINYOUNG LEE WON
    Writer
    Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State
  • JINYOUNG LEE WON
    Producer
    Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State
  • MICHELLE GOODIN
    Producer
    Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State
  • IGNACE JANG
    Key Cast
  • CHRISTINE SUEHISA-JANG
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    하와이 연가
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Music Video, Short, Television
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 13, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    DIGITAL 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Distribution Information
  • POSTPIN
    Distributor
    Country: Korea, Republic of
    Rights: Theatrical
Director Biography - JINYOUNG LEE WON

Jinyoung Lee Won, an award winning journalist-turned-filmmaker, graduated in Journalism and Multimedia from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea. Since her relocation to Hawaii in 2005, she immersed herself in journalism, seamlessly transitioning into the world of cinema due to her rich background in Korean media. Her debut film, *The Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State* (2021), received global acclaim and graced prestigious events like the 41st Hawaii International Film Festival. In her latest venture, *Songs of Love* (2023), Jinyoung bridges cultures through music, combining rare historic photographs and enchanting performances by world-renowned musicians. Beyond filmmaking, she passionately contributes to community orchestra as a devoted cellist and serves on the board of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Recognized for her exceptional talents, Jinyoung earned accolades from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea's Digital Contents Competition, as well as the Best Emerging Filmmaker Award from the Liberty International Movie Festival and Tagore International Film Festival. Fueled by boundless creativity and a deep love for storytelling, Jinyoung Lee Won continues to inspire global audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the world of cinema.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My team and I have been very thankful and overwhelmed by the response to our recent documentary series “Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow.” As the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to Hawaii is approaching, I want to continue exploring this rich history of Koreans in Hawaii with a different perspective- through music. The stories about the Korean immigrant history, their sacrifices and achievements, will be celebrated through pictures and graphics with music by world renowned artists playing within the natural beauty of Hawaii. It is because we believe music can speak louder than words sometimes and can reach a wider range of people. We also hope this documentary brings people questions about how we got here, what was done for us to be here, and what we can do to give back to future generations. Our intention with this film is by creating awareness of our heritage, we not only strengthen and celebrate our history and culture, but we foster kinship and can recover and rebuild our communities. We greatly appreciate your interest in supporting our project.