The largest number of Korean diaspora (approximately 2 million) resides in the United States but before 2020, only two Korean Americans had been elected into federal office, Congressman Jay Kim (1993-1999) and Congressman Andy Kim (2018-2020). “Chosen” follows five Korean American candidates as they attempt to join Rep. Kim and quadruple the number of KA seats at the Congressional table.
“Chosen” is a documentary by Joseph Juhn that offers an inside look at campaigning to become a member of the US House of Representatives. It also shows why it’s so important to have a voice in our government. Three of the candidates were Californians (David Kim, Young Kim, and Michelle Steel Park), Marilyn Strickland ran in Washington state and incumbent Andy Kim ran to keep his seat in New Jersey. As a group, the success rate was astounding with four out of five winning their 2020 elections.
In terms of focus, political documentaries are largely shaped by how open a politician is and how much a filmmaker is allowed to peer into the inner workings of a national campaign. “Chosen” was no different and the eventual prominence of some candidates over others had much to do with how much (or little) access Juhn was permitted as he followed all five races.
David Kim, a lawyer turned political candidate faced generational tension with his immigrant parents (politically, religiously and professionally) and hoped to build solidarity with other marginalized groups with similar experiences.
Marilyn Strickland is a Black Korean American born in Seoul and her biracial identity is something she’s wrestled with throughout her life. Now, she has become a transformative figure who can unite both her Black and Korean friends, especially in the wake of George Floyd and BLM.
Young Kim, a Korean American who built an impressive business and political career at the California state level, came so close but fell just short in her 2018 US Congressional bid. Undeterred, in 2020, the second time was a charm.
Michelle Steel Park rose to regional prominence as the first Korean American elected official in Orange County (as a Supervisor). Born in Seoul, Park calls her success a prime example of living the American Dream.
Finally, incumbent Andy Kim was the only Korean American in Congress when he ran again in 2020 and had no intention of being a one hit wonder.
Join Joseph Juhn as he goes on tour to show this ground-breaking film at private screenings throughout the US. If you are interested in hosting an event, please contact us and we will put you in touch with the organizers.
‘Chosen’ Private Screenings Schedule (Please check back for more dates)
1) Jaisohn Center, Philadelphia, PA, Saturday, Sept 24
Location: Calvary Vision Church (550 Township Line Rd., Blue Bell, PA 19422)
Time: 3-5PM
Free walk-ins
2) Vassar College, New York, Tuesday, Sept, 27
Location: Rocky 300 (124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604)
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Free walk-ins
3) Duke University, NC, Wednesday Sept, 28
Location: East Duke Room 209 (1304 Campus Dr, Durham, NC 27705)
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Free walk-ins
4) SUNY-Delhi, Thursday, Thursday, Sept 29
Location: 104 Evenden Tower, SUNY Delhi
Time: 6-9pm
Free walk-ins
5) DC/Annandale, Virginia, Friday, Sept 30
Location: Korean Community Service Center (7700 Little River Turnpike #406, Annandale, VA 22003)
Time: 6-8:30PM
Free walk-ins
6) Minneapolis, MN, Saturday, October 1 (3-5PM)
Location: Showplace ICON (1625 West End Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416)
Time: 3-5PM
RSVP: http://www.mnapaba.org/event-4965490
7) Los Angeles, CA, Saturday, October 1 *
Location: Robinson Space (104 Robinson Street, LA, CA 90026)
Time: 7-9PM
Free walk-ins
* Director won’t be there
8) Oakton College, Chicago, IL – Tuesday, October 4 (6-8:30PM)
Location: Oakton College, Skokie Campus, room P-103 (7701 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL 60077)
Time: 6-8:30PM
RSVP: https://bit.ly/3BIhMB0
9) University of Missouri – Wednesday, October 5
RSVP: TBA
10) First Progressive Church, Los Angeles, Thursday, October 6
Location: Wilshire Presbyterian Church (300 South Western Avenue, LA, CA 90020)
Time: 6-9PM
RSVP: https://bit.ly/3SbBb2W
11) UCLA, Friday, October 7
Location: 314 Royce Hall (UCLA Los Angeles, 90095)
Time: 4-6PM
Free walk-ins. Event details
12) UC Berkeley, Tuesday, October 11
Location: TBD
Time: Afternoon
Free walk-ins
13) San Francisco, Tuesday, October 11
Location: TBD
Time: Evening
14) UC San Diego, Thursday, October 13
Location: TBD
Time: 2-4PM
Free walk-ins
15) Chicago, Sunday, October 16
Location: TBD
Time: Evening
Free walk-ins
17) Colby College, Maine, Monday, October 17
Location: TBD
Time: 3-5PM
Free walk-ins
18) University of Massachusetts Lowell, Wednesday, October 19
Location: Zoom (contact us for details)
Time: 4-6PM
19) KAC National Conference, Seattle, October 22
Location: Bell Harbor Int’l Convention Center (2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121)
Time: 3-5PM
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/2022kac
20) San Diego Asian Film Festival – Sunday, November 6 (2:30pm-4:30pm) *
RSVP: https://sdaff.org/2022/movies/chosen/
21) Hawaii International Film Festival – Nov 3 – 27 *
RSVP: https://hiff.org/events/chosen/ (accessible only to those residing in Hawaii)
* – Director won’t be there
Please check back for potentially more screenings being scheduled at Harvard, UC Irvine, USC, Wellesley, Georgetown, George Washington, etc.
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