A Picture Bride’s Journey
The Power of Love and Resilience in the Story of Lim Ok Soon
"Write about my happiness seeing my grandchildren enjoy the steak I cooked, grow big and strong, and sleep peacefully while I sing a song from my childhood."
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Lesson Objective
Reflect on the lessons we can learn from the life of Lim Ok Soon, a picture bride who lived an ordinary yet extraordinary life. Thinking about her perseverance, sacrifice, and love, contemplate how we can incorporate these values into our own lives.
Summary
The second episode of 'Songs of Love from Hawai'i' tenderly portrays the life of Lim Ok Soon, accompanied by the enchanting musical performances by Grammy-winning violist Richard Yongjae O'Neil. Gary Park, the grandson of Lim Ok Soon, was featured in lesson 02. Here, Director Jinyoung Lee shared that during a conversation with Gary Park, she was deeply moved and eventually got the inspiration for 'Songs of Love from Hawai'i'.
About Richard Yongjae O'Neill
Violist
Emmy Award winner and Grammy nominee Richard O’Neill, a virtuoso violist, has mesmerized global audiences, collaborating with esteemed orchestras and leading initiatives to introduce chamber music to thousands in South Korea and Japan.
Recognized for his artistic contributions, O’Neill serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Korean Red Cross, Special Olympics, and UNICEF.
About Picture Brides
Many picture brides came from poor families and were orphans with low socio-economic status, while some were high school graduates seeking educational opportunities in Hawaii. There were those who believed that by leaving Korea, they could escape the traditional responsibilities such as marriage and filial duty. Regardless of their background and origins, all of them decided to go to Hawaii, driven by the hope for a better life.
Men sent their photographs to Korea and awaited the selection of a bride. Women chose their prospective husbands and sent their own photographs in return. At that time, this process was significant because most women married through family-arranged matches and had little say in their choice. In contrast, picture brides had the opportunity to 'choose' their spouses, giving them a sense of empowerment and liberty.
Historical Information
1. How old were the picture brides and their husbands?
In those days, the marriageable age ranged from 15 to 20, and consequently, most picture brides were in their teens. On average, there was a 15-year age difference between the picture brides and their husbands.
2. How was the journey to Hawaii?
The journey by ship was extremely difficult. Although the grooms paid for the picture brides' fares to Hawaii, the brides were assigned to third-class cabins. These cabins, originally made for animals, were cramped and unsuitable for women to live in. Furthermore, the brides were not allowed to go up to the deck for fresh air, and as a result, some of the picture brides did not survive the voyage.
3. What was the reality that awaited the picture brides who had hoped for a better life by coming to Hawaii?
Men wore borrowed suits and displayed luxury items, such as cars and houses, in the photographs sent to the picture brides. Consequently, the women expected to live in homes similar to those shown in the pictures, only to find themselves in crude, isolated, and racially segregated plantation quarters. The lack of honesty from the grooms and brokers stemmed from their fear that the women would not come if they were aware of the harsh reality of the grooms and their living conditions.
Some women were very dissatisfied with their grooms. However, the cost of returning home was expensive, so they had no choice but to accept their circumstances and settle into a new life in Hawaii.
4. How did picture brides overcome their challenges?
Many picture brides actively participated in church activities and formed a supportive community. Despite their difficult circumstances, they were very proactive and determined. They worked tirelessly to overcome poverty and raise their children well. Furthermore, they formed various groups to engage in active efforts aimed at educating their children and raising funds for the independence of Korea from Japan.
Discussions Points
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How did the formation of a community contribute to the picture brides overcoming their difficult lives?
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Discuss the range of emotions Lim Ok Soon might have experienced upon seeing her children hungry when she was unable to provide them with any food.
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What feelings might Lim Ok Soon have had as she witnessed her grandchildren becoming part of mainstream society?
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How would you react if you discovered that your family had been brutally killed by the Japanese soldiers?
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In addition to the harsh living conditions and the discrepancy between the reality and their expectations, what other challenges might the picture brides have encountered?
Film · book recommendation
The Picture Bride (2022)
by Lee Geum-yi, An Seonjae (Translator)
A book about three Korean women who traveled to Hawaii in 1918 to marry men they've only seen in photographs. The book is set in a Korean enclave in Hawaii during the 1910s.