Magazine
A legacy-driven media platform documenting Korean excellence in culture, economy, and identity
By Minjeong Son, Editor
Photos provided by Director Joseph Juhn
Upon watching an introduction clip of the film Jeronimo ahead of the interview, I was moved to chills. How did such a coincidence become a reality and lead to the creation of this film? During President Obama's term in 2014, the United States normalized relations with Cuba. The following year, in December 2015, Joseph Juhn visited Cuba as a backpacker, where he met a fourth-generation Korean taxi driver named Patricia at the airport, sparking a story straight out of a drama. She was the daughter of the late Jeronimo Lim (Im Eun-jo), and meeting her and her family brought to light the immigrant history of Koreans in Cuba. This encounter ignited a passion within Juhn, intertwining history with fate.
"I began producing the film about a year after returning from Cuba," said Juhn. "In 2017, I left my position as a lawyer at KOTRA to focus entirely on the film. It wasn't easy to juggle both my job and the film production. Though I initially thought a year of dedication would be sufficient, it ended up taking three years, including five trips to Cuba."
Juhn does not yet consider himself a lifelong director, despite having made the documentary.
"I was born in the United States. After returning to Korea during childhood, I moved back to the US for high school. I studied film at university, later attending law school to become a lawyer. Patricia, the taxi driver I met in Cuba, was the granddaughter of Professor Lim Cheon-taek, who immigrated from Mexico to Cuba a century ago and supported Korea's independence movement. Jeronimo Lim was a character I couldn't have imagined. The dramatic history of Korean immigrants there was astonishing. I hoped more people would know this story."
Cuba, a socialist country in the Americas, has a surprisingly deep-rooted history of Korean immigrants.
"The history dates back to the early 1900s, with 1905 marking the era of the Korean Empire. Koreans, seeking to earn money, migrated to Mexico as contract workers but ended up as virtual slaves. When Korea was annexed by Japan, they couldn't return. In 1921, around 300 immigrants moved to Cuba and settled. Jeronimo’s father was among them, tirelessly supporting Korea's independence movement. Jeronimo became the first Korean to attend university in Cuba and later joined Fidel Castro’s socialist revolution. Despite holding high positions in the Cuban government, he focused on embracing his Korean heritage post-retirement, founding Korean associations and schools, and erecting monuments."
Composed of interviews, photos, and extensive footage, Jeronimo captures a powerful narrative of Korean immigrant history. The film weaves together Cuban socialism, Korean independence movements, and modern history.
In January, the film screened to a sold-out audience in Ridgefield, New Jersey. A Q&A session followed with director Juhn and co-producer and brother, lawyer Joseph Yuseok Juhn. The film continued to screen across the US and Europe, bringing Korean diaspora stories to a global audience. Details are available on Jeronimo's Facebook and Instagram pages.
"The film tells a broader story of diaspora—people dispersed but carrying their homeland in their hearts. It resonates with the eight million Koreans living outside the peninsula as minorities. Exploring identity, I'm driven by a desire for purpose and mission. Meeting Jeronimo in Cuba reinforced this, providing symbolic answers for Korean diaspora globally.”
Inspired by growing up in a supportive Christian family, Juhn was drawn to issues of social justice, which led him to law school. Though his dream of becoming a human rights lawyer didn’t materialize, his journey as a film director allowed him to explore diaspora questions.
"While directing Jeronimo, I realized the importance of documenting and sharing community stories. Like Mom & I's efforts in the past two decades, this work helps awaken the identity of Korean-Americans. I hope Korea also embraces its diaspora, fostering unity and respect for diversity."
The heartfelt melodies of familiar Korean songs feature in the film, resonating with the story of Jeronimo and the Cuban-Korean descendants.
The film is a passion project that rewrites nearly forgotten history through Juhn’s dedication. As he embarks on further explorations of diaspora issues, the world awaits the resonance his work will continue to bring.
Joseph Hoo Juhn graduated from Syracuse University Law School and formerly worked as an intellectual property lawyer at KOTRA in New York. His film Jeronimo premiered in Korea in November 2019 and continues screenings in the US and Europe.
For screening requests or sponsorship inquiries, please email: jeronimothemovie@gmail.com
Follow updates on Jeromino’s Instagram and Facebook.
"While working on Jeronimo, I have come to realize the essential role of documenting and organizing community culture, events, and figures. If not recorded, all these elements fade away. I believe Mom & I has done a monumental job over the past 20 years in preserving and sharing the history and identity of Korean-Americans. My heartfelt applause and respect go to everyone involved. I'm honored to share our identity through the life of Jeronimo and the Cuban-Koreans. Let us all work together for unity and contribution to Korea and Korean people worldwide." – Joseph Juhn
