Little-Known Story of Korean Families Torn Apart and How the Government Kept It a Secret

When the division of North and South Korea ripped families apart, it left deep scars that lasted for generations. 

And it was covered up by the government for decades. 

When the people of Jeju Island protested the division of Korea, government forces brutally killed thousands of innocent civilians, 10% of the population.

Their homes burned. Families killed. Loved ones traumatized.

'A Jeju Story' shares this long-secreted dark chapter in Korea’s history that impacts all of us today, no matter where we live.

Help bring this story to life

Give a voice to the voiceless

For decades, the survivors and families of this massacre have been silenced. Their stories have gone untold. This animated short film provides a platform for their stories, sacrifices, and experiences to be honored and shared. The events that shaped their lives never forgotten.

Although now acknowledged and shared by the government of Korea, the Jeju massacre is a story that has gone untold for generations. It shows the often glossed-over consequences of the division of Korea - a decision that ripped apart families and left a once-unified country separated.

This short film has the potential to reach across the world in a way other media cannot. HELP US share this story in stunning animation that breathes life into the saga of those who lost their lives,  in an engaging and accessible format.

By acknowledging and highlighting this story, it provides not only a vital opportunity for healing for the affected families and communities, but offers hope for similar struggles in communities around the world. This film can help educate people about not only the significance of the Jeju Massacre, but also foster a deeper understanding of Korean history and human rights.

We believe that animation is a powerful way of storytelling, capable of conveying human experiences in a complex, rich way that no other medium can fully match. Helping fund this film will support the creation of this art and help preserve this important part of Korea’s history, which is one many in other parts of the world may recognize in their own histories..

My name is Sohyun Moon. When I sat down with my grandfather and heard him recount, for the first time, how the events of the Jeju Massacre had impacted our family, I was deeply moved.

He shared with me the story of his own father, my great-grandfather, who was tragically shot and killed by South Korean police near our family's home during the uprising. 

My grandfather was only three years old at the time.

Yet, despite the immense pain and loss he endured, he spoke with a sense of resilience and even forgiveness. As we drove down the same dirt road where the tragedy had occurred, his words echoed in my mind:

 "Those on the left side of the street were spared, and those on the right side of the street were shot."

It was a stark reminder of the arbitrary cruelty of conflict and the scars it leaves behind.

Visiting the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park and seeing the markers for two of my ancestors who had lost their lives during the massacre was a transformative experience. It brought home the realization that this was not just a distant historical event, but a deeply personal one that had shaped the lives of my own family members. 

As I stood there, surrounded by the gravity of their sacrifices, I knew that I had to find a way to tell their stories and the stories of countless others who had suffered during this dark time. The Jeju Massacre is a part of my heritage, a part of Korea's history, and a part of the human story that transcends borders and generations. 

By sharing A Jeju Story through the medium of animation, I hope to honor the memories of those who were lost, to provide healing for those who have carried the pain, and to inspire a new generation to learn from the past and work towards a more peaceful, understanding world.

We are thrilled to offer the following perk packages, with exclusive items to celebrate 'A Jeju Story', Korea, and the cause of Freedom across the World!

Core level of support for A Jeju Story. Welcome to the Family! We are One! With this perk, you will be given access to an exclusive Squad (Club) area on INFINITive Family Community, Sohyun's personal private social network community, where you can interact in exclusive Squad just for those who are supporting A Jeju Story's crowdfunding

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x Thank you note (digital)

1 x Special Membership Site Squad

Tangerines, known as 제주 감귤 (Jeju gamgyul) are one of the specialties of Jeju Island, and Sohyun's grew up eating lots of tangerines. Join the sweetness and cuteness of this perk as you receive a (cute) thank you e-postcard, some cute art to use for social media profiles, and a Korean Unnie e-book full of cute and colorful drawings!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x Thank you AJS e-Postcard

1 x AJS Social Media Pack

1 x An E-Book from Sohyun

Did you know that 말 in Korea can mean both 'horse' and 'language'? Jeju is famous for their horses and for it's unique dialect, which can be difficult even for other Koreans. Receive: -All Tangerine perks -E-course that explores Jeju Island's unique dialect and its features -An opportunity to appear in one of Sohyun's videos!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x Thank you audio note

1 x Be included in a video!

1 x Jeju Dialect e-Course

All Tangerine & Jeju Horse perks -ASJ Community Ambassador & e-Token -Jeju Island Course Bundle (e-Course) -Join in a fun, group Korean lesson (online) (no experience with Korean required). You can just observe if you want to, but we hope you'll participate and give it a try! 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x Personalized thank you video

1 x AJS Ambassador

1 x Jeju Island e-Course Bundle

1 x Group Korean Lesson

Do you know the famous stone monuments on Jeju Island called 돌하르방 ? Hareubang (Stone Grandfather)? Legendary! In addition to all Tangerine, Jeju Horse, & Dongbaek perks, you'll receive the additional items below, which includes special access to the production team internal update site and a signed art print from the animation.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x AJS Website Thank You Listing

1 x ASJ Community Captain

1 x Production Team Website Access

1 x Signed Art Print

1 x AJS Collector's Pin (Small)

Now you are climbing oreum (Jeju's hill-shaped volcanic cones)! -All Tangerine, Jeju Horse, Dongbaek, & Stone Grandfather perks -Film credit thank you listing -AJS Regional Captain -Exclusive AJS animation class where you'll learn to sketch one of the characters from the film -A signed production art print -An ASJ collectors pin (large size)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x AJS Film Thank You Credit

1 x ASJ Regional Captain

1 x ASJ Aniamation Class

1 x Signed Production Art

1 x AJS Collector's Pin (Large)

The tallest mountain in South Korea, Halla Mountain! -All Tangerine, Jeju Horse, Dongbaek, Stone Grandfather, & Oreum perks -Associate Producer credit in the film -Progress Release Notes Experience (view progress points in the film's development & give your feedback) -Signed character sketch art -ASJ 3-pin collection

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x AJS Film Thank You Listing

1 x Progress Rel. Notes Experience

1 x Signed Character Sketch Art

1 x AJS 3-Pin Collection

Jeju's famous winds are especially loud and strong! Wind is highly regarded because it has the ability to be anywhere, anytime! -Join production team's special inspiration event at Jeju Island (by video) -Join production team meetings (observer, text chat input) -Signed copy of the script -Production memories book -Jeju Island gift basket 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x Sponsor Film Credit

1 x Animation Team Jeju Island Exp

1 x Signed Script

1 x Production Reflections Book

1 x Jeju Island Gift Basket

Join portion of production team's inspiration event at Jeju Island (in person, but at your own travel expense) -Join production team meetings and give verbal input (participant by video) -A signed copy of the film's orchestration score -Jeju Island gift basket (premium)

WHAT'S INCLUDED

1 x Animation Team Jeju Island Exp

1 x Join Prod. Mtgs (speaking)

1 x Jeju Island Gift Basket (prem)

1 x ASJ Orchestration Score