Date: Friday, November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Venue: Center for Korean Studies Auditorium

Followed by a virtual Q&A session with the Director, Arum Nam

SYNOPSIS: Arum’s parents belong to the pivotal generation that led South Korea’s democratization through the student movements of the 1980s. Eager to pass on a better world to their daughter, her father chose the path of a public servant, while her mother became a feminist activist. Inspired by their commitment to building a better Korea, Arum at the age of 18, Arum witnessed the Sewol ferry disaster—a national tragedy that claimed countless lives due to systemic failures. As she uncovered her father’s involvement in the aftermath, Arum began to question the democracy her parents’ generation had fought so ardently to establish. Through the lens of her family’s journey, Arum delves into the political history of South Korea, grappling with the role her own generation must assume.

Arum Nam is a documentary director from Seoul, South Korea, holds a Master’s degree in Documentary Filmmaking from the Korea National University of Arts. She directed a short documentary “Pink Femi”, which tells the story of a feminist mother, and co-directed “Teleporting” with Japanese directors during the pandemic. “K-family Affairs” is her first feature documentary.

The event is free and open to all. For further information, including information regarding disability access, telephone the Center for Korean Studies at 808-956-7041. This event is in part supported by the Academy of Korean Studies Strategic Research Institute Program (AKS-2020-SRI-2200001).

The University of Hawai‘i is an equal opportunity institution.