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Songs of Love from Hawai’i

(2024)

​A musical drama film that takes you on a journey of untold stories of sacrifice, love, and unbreakable bonds of the first Korean immigrants in Hawaiʻi.

영화 _하와이 연가_에서 바이올린을 연주한 하와이 심포니오케스트라 악장, 이그나스 장.jpg
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A brilliant symphony of history and music... more than just a film!
Chuck Parker ㅣ PBS Hawai'i

A must-watch for anyone studying the Korean diaspora. 
Prof. Diana Kim ㅣ Asian Studies, Georgetown University

Songs of Love is a testament to the artistry of capturing history.
Choi, Tae Sung ㅣ Historian

🎬 Upcoming Screenings 🎬

​(Detailed information for each screening will be updated as it becomes available)​​

​​​​​

  • 11.15, 13:00 – 10th Sotaesan Film Festival: Screening & Director Q&A

    • ​75, Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    • 🎫  Free Admission

​

  • 11.15 ~ 12.06 – Jeju 1st Josu Cinema

    • ​Josu Elementary School, Josu Cinema (315 Josu-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, Jeju Island)

    • 🎫  Free Admission ㅣ RSVP via DM or phone

    • 🗓️ Screening schedule

      • 11.15: 14:00 〈Words of Wisdom〉 / 17:00 〈Songs of Love〉

      • 11.22: 14:00 〈Soup and Ideology〉 / 17:00 〈Songs of Love〉

      • 11.29: 14:00 〈Soup and Ideology〉 / 17:00 〈Songs of Love〉

      • 12.06: 14:00 〈Words of Wisdom〉 / 17:00 〈Songs of Love〉​

​

  • 12.23, 16:00 – Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education: Cinema Talk (for Educators, Private Event)​

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  • 01.22, 15:00 – Gangwon State Education Training Institute: Screening and Lecture (for Educators, Private Event

Watch

[Korea] Enjoy Songs of Love at home - now streaming on the platforms below!
(Click to watch)

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[International] As of September 2025, ‘Songs of Love’ is only available on DVD or through screening requests.
Stay tuned for the global release!

Awards and Exposure

  • The 43rd Hawai‘i International Film Festival, 2023

  • The Portugal International Film Festival, 2023

  • The 20th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, 2024

  • Aired on PBS Hawai‘i, 2024

  • Nationwide ​theatrical release in Korea through CJ Entertainment,  October 2024

  • The 9th Berlin Korean Independent Film Festival, 2025​

​Recent screenings

​

  • Nov. 8, 2025 | Washington) Old Korean Legation – Screening & Director's Talk

  • ​Nov. 7, 2025 | Washington) The George Washington University – Screening & Director's Talk

  • Nov. 5, 2025 | Indiana) Indiana University Bloomington – Screening & Director's Talk (Learn more)

  • Oct. 31, 2025 | Ulsan) Ulsan Education Training Institute The 4th One-Point Training Session – Screening & Lecture (Learn more)

  • Oct. 22~27, 2025 | Berlin) The 9th Berlin Korean Independent Film Festival – Screening (Official Invitation)

  • Aug. 31, 2025 | Gangwon) 2nd Samcheok Sea Film Festival – Screening (Official Invitation)

  • Aug. 7, 2025 | Mapo) CJ Cultural Foundation 2025 StoryUp – Screening & Lecture (Learn more)

  • Aug. 6, 2025 | Gangnam) COEX Starfield Library – Lecture (Learn more)

  • Aug. 6, 2025 | Suwon) Institute for Veterans Education and Research – Lecture

  • Aug. 1, 2025 | Seocho) Seocho Friday Concert (Cinema Concert) – Screening & Director's Talk (Learn more)

  • July 25, 2025 | Busan) Ananti “Eternal Journey” – Midnight Bookstore Film Talk (Learn more)

  • July 18, 2025 | Texas, USA) The 43rd NAKS (National Association for Korean Schools) Annual Conference – Screening & Lecture (Learn more)

Share <Songs of Love> with your loved ones!

Take the film’s moving story anywhere - to schools, public institutions, companies, and more. For inquiries, click the right button or email nowhawaiipr@gmail.com. We’ll respond within 48 hours.

Prof. Diana Kim

Asian Studies, Georgetown University

"A must-watch for anyone studying the Korean diaspora."

PBS HAWAI'I

American public broadcaster

"A beautiful film with very effective storytelling techniques, music with graphics and narration... The music is enchanting and haunting at the same time and by itself evokes a lot of emotion."

Tammy Kim

Vice Mayor of Irvine

"Songs of Love brings to life the triumphs and hardships of our ancestors, reminding us that our journey is only just beginning…"

Production Team

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Jinyoung Lee

Director, Writer, Producer

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Yea Jee Lee

Co-Producer

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Pawel Nuckowski

Director of Photography

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Matt Yamashita

Director of Photography

Jinyoung Lee, journalist-turned-filmmaker and founder of Now Production Films, is known for The Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State (2021) and Songs of Love (2023). Her award-winning work has been recognized internationally, and she also serves on the board of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Poland and now based in Honolulu, Pawel has over 20 years of global experience in documentaries and TV series. He produced all seasons of Cool for Kupuna, a local TV series, and recently directed Kaniela, which has been invited to numerous international film festivals.​​​​

Matt is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker from Moloka‘i, earned a BFA in Film Production from Chapman University. As Moloka‘i’s first professional filmmaker, he has been in the industry since 2001, contributing to productions aired on PBS National and Arte France. Matt played key roles in Part 3 of “Songs of Love.”​​​​​

Yeajee served as a producer at KBS Korea’s national broadcaster from 2005 to 2014, creating nationally acclaimed programs. Since 2015, she has led content planning for non-scripted originals as Head of SM C&C Studio at SM Group. She played a key producing role in developing Songs of Love.

Musicians

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Ignace Jang

Music Consultant, Violinist

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Richard Yongjae O’Neill

Violist

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Chee-Yun

Violinist

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Keola Beamer

Slack Key Guitarist

​​Renowned violinist and Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra concertmaster. Born in France to Korean parents, Ignace Jang has performed on prestigious stages including Paris’ Théâtre des Champs-Elysées and Seoul Arts Center.

Emmy Award winner and Grammy nominee. Collaborated with major orchestras and efforts to expand chamber music outreach in South Korea and Japan. O’Neill also serves as Goodwill Ambassador for the Korean Red Cross, Special Olympics, and UNICEF.

Chee-Yun, a violinist from Seoul, enchants audiences with her brilliant concerto performances worldwide. Trained at Juilliard and mentored by renowned instructors, she has graced stages with orchestras like the San Francisco Symphony and NHK Symphony.

Keola Beamer has breathed new life into slack key guitar music yet stays true to its deep Hawaiian roots. He is a Hawaiian legend: singer-songwriter, composer, guitar master.

  • Produced and Directed by Jinyoung Lee

  • Co-Produced by T.S. Bam, Yea Jee Lee

  • Written by Jinyoung Lee (Parts 1 & 3), Gary Pak (Part 2) 

  • Narrated by Ye, Soo-Jung, Gary Pak

  • Cast: Ignace “Iggy” Jang, Richard Yongjae O'Neill, Chee-Yun, Keola Beamer

  • Director of Photography: Pawel Nuckowski, Matt Yamashita

  • Animation: Huni Nam and Dasol Kim, Niri Studio

  • Post Production: SOLE Pictures (Part 1) StudioClon (Part 2 & 3)

  • 3D Digital Art: INDIVIDUAL

  • Music Consultant: Ignace Jang

This film was brought to life with the generous support of:

The Sunny K. Park Family Foundation 

Eugene and Carol Choi

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Linh & Dug Song

in honor of Soonok Song

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미주 한인재단

Korean American Foundation Hawaii (KAFH)

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국외소재문화재재단

The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation

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하와이한인문화회관

Hawaii Korean Cultural Center (HKCC)

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