Hawaii’s first Korean indie film showcase ‘Intimate Korea’ heads to HOMA
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii’s first Korean independent film showcase is coming to the Honolulu Museum of Art later this month, presenting nine award-winning films alongside a live cinematic concert and cultural celebrations.
Sarah Fang, theatre manager and programmer at the Doris Duke Theatre, and Jinyoung Lee, guest programmer and executive producer at NOW Production Films, joined HNN Sunrise to share what audiences can expect. They were accompanied by violinists Yuseon Nam and Michael Lim, who will perform as part of a special program titled “Aloha & Arirang.”
The festival, “Intimate Korea 2026,” runs from Sept. 25 through Sept. 27 at the Doris Duke Theatre. Presented by the Honolulu Museum of Art and NOW Production Films, the showcase aims to introduce audiences to personal stories from Korea that extend beyond mainstream pop culture.
“We wanted Hawaii people to experience Korea up close. We all know—not all, but there are many people who already know K-pop and K-drama,” Lee said. “With these indie films, you get to see a side of Korea that not many people know. Very personal, smaller stories, but you will enjoy it if you come to our theater to watch these movies—hence Intimate Korea.”
The lineup features four feature films and five shorts. Festivities begin on Friday, Sept. 25, with HoMA Nights, a museum-wide Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) celebration featuring food, culture, and live performances starting at 5 p.m.
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“The Korean community is such an important part of our community here in Hawaii, and it’s always so important to highlight the work and the culture that they provide for the world and for us. We’re so excited to host this three-day festival that really looks at not so much the mainstream of Korean culture but really independent cinema in Korea.” Fang said.
‘Aloha & Arirang’ special presentation
The showcase includes a special one-night-only program on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 4:30 p.m. titled “Aloha & Arirang.”
Inspired by Lee’s documentary “Songs of Love from Hawaiʻi,” which chronicles the history of the islands’ earliest Korean immigrants, the event features a live cinematic concert with a string quartet, including violinists Yuseon Nam and Michael Lim, performing alongside actress Su-jeong Ye (“Train to Busan”). Hawaii News Now’s Annalisa Burgos will moderate an artist talk following the performance.
General admission film tickets are $15, and $5 for ages 18 and under. Tickets for the “Aloha & Arirang” performance are $25 for general admission and $10 for youth 18 and under.
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All screenings and events will take place at the Doris Duke Theatre.
Tickets and schedule details are available online at honolulumuseum.org.
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