Filmmaker So Yun Um and I recently engaged in a thought-provoking conversation about the complex relationship between Korean and Black Americans, specifically in Los Angeles. During our discussion, Um shared a memory about a Korean American friend of hers who was robbed by a Black person while walking down the street in New York, resulting in the theft of his AirPods. It was evident that this memory was challenging for Um to share, as it evoked racial trauma and highlighted the prevalent issue of anti-Blackness within the Korean American community. Um acknowledged that experiences like this are often used as validation for such prejudices and expressed her friend’s struggle to avoid making a blanket statement about an entire group based on one incident.
These complexities are also central to Um’s feature directorial debut, “Liquor Store Dreams.” The film is a personal endeavor for Um, as she grew up as the child of Korean immigrants who owned a liquor store. It not only celebrates her own history and community but also challenges ingrained stereotypes and aims to humanize both Korean and Black Americans to a wider audience. Um stated that her initial goal was simply to create an authentic film for Korean people, but she never anticipated its far-reaching impact. This is the beauty of filmmaking – even the most specific stories have the power to profoundly affect viewers, particularly those who identify with the narrative, in this case, Black audiences.
“Liquor Store Dreams” does not belong to a specific era; it tackles timeless issues that have plagued the Korean and Black communities. Specifically, it explores the 1991 murder of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins by Korean American store owner Soon Ja Du, an incident that caused a rift between the two communities and later contributed to the LA uprising of 1992. Racism against both Black and Asian individuals reached a peak in 2020, as both groups united in advocating for their own humanity. It was during this tumultuous period that Um embarked on creating her film, prompted by the resurgence of past issues such as anti-Blackness and prejudices faced by Korean people. “Liquor Store Dreams” serves as a platform to reframe and redefine the dialogue surrounding the relationship between Korean and Black Americans.
The film delves into various historical events, including Latasha Harlins’ murder, the Rodney King beating, the LA uprising, and the extensive damage suffered by Korean-owned businesses. It also explores themes of anti-Asian racism and the Black Lives Matter movement. Intertwined with these events are thought-provoking conversations that Um has with her own family and members of the Korean American community. Despite not being an expert in the history of Korean-Black relations or her own history, Um’s deep-rooted passion for justice drives her to lead these dialogues. Her desire to effect change and combat unfairness, which she believes stems from personal experiences of bullying, inspired her to become a filmmaker and create a movie like “Liquor Store Dreams.” The film provided her with a chance to not only learn her own history but also share it with those closest to her.
While Um did not receive formal education in Asian American studies, she gained a comprehensive understanding of her community’s portrayal through American cinema. Unfortunately, these depictions were often derogatory and reinforced stereotypes, which influenced both Um and non-Korean American audiences. In her research for “Liquor Store Dreams,” Um revisited these films, such as “Menace II Society” and “Do the Right Thing,” along with documentaries like “The Dope Years: The Story of Latasha Harlins,” to deepen her knowledge of Black history and the problematic representations of Korean Americans. She recognized the need to challenge these stereotypes and offer a fresh perspective through her own film. Um believes that while these images may reflect some aspects of reality, they should not define the entire community. She aimed to contribute to the conversation by shedding light on a different side of the story.
One example of this fresh perspective is Danny Park, a key figure in “Liquor Store Dreams” and the adult child of Korean American liquor store owners. Previously featured in Um’s 2018 short film “Liquor Store Babies,” Danny shares his personal journey and experiences. He left his job at Nike to return to his parents’ store, offering a unique insight into the challenges faced by Korean American store owners.
Overall, “Liquor Store Dreams” is a powerful and introspective documentary that explores the complex dynamics between Korean and Black Americans. It encourages dialogue, challenges stereotypes, and aims to bridge the divide between these communities. Um’s dedication to learning and sharing her own history, along with her passion for justice, have culminated in a film that prompts viewers to rethink their perspectives and embrace empathy and understanding.
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