This personal documentary follows the journey of a Korean filmmaker as he returns to Sydney, the city he left at the age of five. Burdened by the intense competition and societal expectations of life in Korea, he seeks a different path, hoping to uncover a sense of belonging and explore the life he might have had. The film opens with a nostalgic montage of childhood photographs and home videos in 1990s, interwoven with fleeting glimpses of Sydney’s iconic landmarks. We see the filmmaker as a child, posing against the backdrop of the Opera House and Botanic Gardens, a stark contrast to his present-day self, now a thirty-year-old grappling with uncertainty.
Driven by a desire to understand his roots and the choices his parents made, the filmmaker embarks on a working holiday adventure. He navigates the realities of temporary work, cramped share houses, and the constant cycle of making and losing friends because of limited visa. Through intimate interviews with fellow working holiday makers, the film captures the challenges of this transient lifestyle, highlighting the resilience and camaraderie that emerge from shared experiences.
The filmmaker’s journey takes an unexpected turn when his mother comes to visit. Together, they retrace the steps of her early days in Sydney, exploring the city through her eyes and uncovering a deeper understanding of her sacrifices as a young immigrant. Inspired by his mother’s story, the filmmaker delves into the lives of elderly Korean immigrants at “Baekho University,” Korean Senior Club. He listens to their stories of leaving their homeland, building new lives, and navigating cultural differences.
Through these interwoven narratives, “A Working Holiday Maker’s Diary” explores themes of identity, belonging, and the search for meaning in a globalized world. It’s a poignant and reflective film that invites viewers to consider the paths not taken and the enduring power of human connection.
A Korean Storyteller Exploring the World
Driven by a deep curiosity about people, I pursued a degree in History and Cultural Anthropology at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. There, I honed my storytelling skills by engaging with a diverse range of individuals from aspiring actors to an elderly Korean War survivor. After graduation, I completed a 6-month intensive training program in export marketing at the Korea Creative Content Agency. As a top-performing student, I was awarded a government-sponsored study trip to Los Angeles, where I visited leading companies like YouTube Studios and Paramount Studios. My passion for Documentary led me to KBS, where I worked for a year as an assistant director on the food documentary series “Korean Cuisine and Dining.” I participated in the full production cycle of 13 episodes, from pre-production to post-production. Currently, I am on a working holiday visa in Australia, reconnecting with my childhood roots (visa expires 20/05/2025).
