WORDS OF WISDOM
FROM THE RAINBOW STATE (2021)
A 6-part documentary series exploring early Korean immigrant history through interviews with five descendants.
Synopsis
Prologue
On January 13, 1903, the first group of 102 Koreans arrived in Hawaiʻi, marking the start of Korean immigration to the US. Director Jinyoung Lee reflects on their untold stories to highlight Korean heritage within Hawaiʻi’s diverse culture.
EP 01. Gary Pak
We meet third-generation Korean American writer Gary Pak in an Oahu botanical garden. He shares deep insights about his grandmother, a ‘picture bride’ who moved to Hawaii in 1910 and raised twelve children.
EP 02. Harry Kim
Harry Kim, a well-known figure on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, is the former mayor of Hilo. Raised as the youngest of eight children of a sugarcane worker and a picture bride, his parents played a key role in his political success.
EP 03. Ronald Moon
The former Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court, Ronald Moon, discusses his grandfather’s arrival in Hawaiʻi 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.
EP 04. Michael Lim
Michael Lim, a Hawaiʻi Symphony violinist, explores the lives of his great-grandparents. Through his perspective, we reflect on their courage and legacy in the Hawaiian Korean community.
EP 05. Daisy Lee Yang
The season finale takes place in Incheon, where Jinyoung retraces her ancestors' steps from 120 years ago. She meets Daisy Yang at the Korea Emigration History Museum to learn about the wisdom and love passed down through her family’s diaspora experience.
Watch Full Episodes
Original Series
Original Series
[제 41회 하와이국제영화제 공식 초청작, '무지개 나라의 유산' Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - 프롤로그 (Prologue)
![[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.1 게리 박 (Gary Pak)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5x0cJAHLofo/maxresdefault.jpg)
[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.1 게리 박 (Gary Pak)
![[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.2 해리 김 (Harry Kim)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4VWhP_efot8/maxresdefault.jpg)
[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.2 해리 김 (Harry Kim)
Project details
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Running Time: 53 minutes
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Language: English, Korean
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Technical specs: 4K DCI for theatrical distribution
and HD broadcasting/ Premium sound quality / 4096 * 2160 (1.9:1)
Awards and Exposure
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Official Invitation to the 41st Hawaii International Film Festival
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Stockholm City Film Festival, Finalist
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Liberty International Film Festival, Official Invitation & Best Debut Filmmaker Award
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China International New Media Short Film Festival
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Denmark International Women’s Film Festival
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Aporium International Village Film Festival
Behind the Scenes
Media
!["하와이 한인 이민사, 고국에도 시사하는 바 있길"…'무지개 나라의 유산' 이진영 감독 [YTN korean 24] / YTN korean](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/arluzgJf-RI/maxresdefault.jpg)
![[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.5 데이지 리 양(Daisy Lee Yang)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cQPVRxN9xjw/maxresdefault.jpg)
![[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.4 마이클 림(Michael Lim)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/F889iohpmV0/maxresdefault.jpg)
![[무지개 나라의 유산/Words of Wisdom from the Rainbow State] - EP.3 문대양(Ronald Moon)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xsnnB70QE5k/maxresdefault.jpg)
Media Coverage
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Official Invitation to the 41st Hawaii International Film Festival
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Stockholm City Film Festival, Finalist
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Liberty International Film Festival, Official Invitation & Best Debut Filmmaker Award
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China International New Media Short Film Festival
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Denmark International Women’s Film Festival
-
Aporium International Village Film Festival
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Director Lee Jin-young's short film 'Hawaiian Love Song' about
the 120-year history of Koreans in America (Yonhap News 2022-12-15) -
‘Director Lee Jin-young’ informs the world of the Hawaiian identity of
the head of immigration (Hankook Ilbo 2022-07-08) -
People who went to Hawaii with a single seed (Daily Tomorrow 2022-03-28)
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Illuminating the Korean Diaspora in Hawaii...
Listen to ‘Heritage of the Rainbow Country’ directed by Jinyoung Lee (KBS Global Korean) -
‘Legacy of the Rainbow Country’ Director Lee Jin-young,
film contest for youth (Maeil Business Newspaper, 2022-01-07) -
“While filming the movie, I fell into the illusion of living in
Hawaii 118 years ago” (Yonhap News, 2121-12-13) -
History of Koreans in Hawaii, movies like
‘Minari’ appear again (Herald Economy 2021-11-15) -
118 years of Korean immigration history in Hawaii,
‘communicating’ with the world (Hankook Ilbo 2021-11-13) -
Documentary on the history of Korean immigration to the US,
invited to the Hawaii International Film Festival (Korea Economy 2021-10-20)
Exhibition
Production Team
Cinematographers : Cori Chong, Tristan Cummins,
Mike Mullenhoff, Hun-Dong Yu, Gyu Wook Hwang
Editor: Doyeon Lim, Pawel Nuckowski
Computer Graphic : Dongsoo Kim
Sound Design : Hyunho Ko
Advisory : Duk Hee Lee Murabayashi
Post Production : Solepictures
Recording Studio : Korea Times Hawaii Radio Seoul
Voice Actor : Do Sung
Project Manager : Daeun Ahn
Subtitle Translation : Sekon Won, WORLSYS
