So Yun is a Korean American filmmaker. Her debut film Liquor Store Dreams is an incredible and intimate portrayal of two Korean American children of liquor store owners in Koreatown, Los Angeles, who set out to bridge generational divides with their immigrant parents. The film pulls us back to the 1992 LA riots, which is a personal, heartbreaking childhood memory for many of us.

In this conversation, So Yun shares that her inspiration and motivation in filmmaking is rooted in witnessing and experiencing injustice and wanting to change the world in her own way. Through her work, she builds bridges between communities, identities, and generations. 

So Yun tells us about the process of filmmaking, the importance of using our voices to stand up for ourselves and to educate others, and the differences in perspectives for Koreans of the diaspora compared to Koreans in Korea. 

So Yun’s IG

Leah’s IG

Watch Liquor Store Dreams on iTunes

Watch Liquor Store Dreams for free on Kanopy with library card