Jeehoon Seo

“JESA” emerges as a powerful family-drama short film, centering around Jin, a ten-year-old Korean boy navigating the complexities of his Americanized identity. Eager to reconnect with his estranged father from Korea, Jin participates in an antiquated tradition rooted in patriarchy called JESA, a Korean ancestral rite to honor his ancestors. As the ceremony unfolds, Jin gradually unravels the depths of his mother's sacrifice, beyond just labor – she’s staying in a loveless marriage in order to preserve his innocence. "JESA" is my attempt to explore the tensions between tradition and maternal sacrifice within the context of my Korean heritage.