Articles | "My Father" film details

by Lee Ann Kim

Aaron Bates: The list would go on and on in describing my parents and family, who are very Godly, LOVING, supportive, generous, very strong and very honorable parents. They are very dear to me. During my childhood, I never really viewed myself any different than other kids...so I didn't worry about the silly name calling, racial comments, stress of money, etc. As a child, my main focus was to have fun and my childhood years in Colorado were alot fun.

Yes, the movie came about due to my search and publicity. During my first military year ('96), I was stationed in Korea. I was very fortunate to have a Korean soldier (called KATUSA) as my roommate. Now he is one my closest and dearest friends ( Soh Yung Kim). I asked for his help, and he helped find the orphange, then posted an ad in the Kwangju newspaper, which somehow got on a SBS documentary in late 1996.

About 3 years later, I was notified that my biological father was trying to contact me. In July 2000, I met my father for the first time at prison surrounded by a lot of Korean media - SBS, KBS, MBC and etc... Once I found out my dad's situation - that he was on death row - I asked the military to reassign me in Korea ASAP.

From October 2000 through January 2002, I got to know my father with my friend [and translatpr] Soh Yung. During those years, two KBS producers (Hyun Mo Jung & Sanghan Lee) filmed my journey. Sometime in 2003, KBS realeased the 1 hour special documentary (something like a "60 Minutes" episode). Through that 2003 documentary, the movie company contacted me in 2005 to make a movie.

The producer, a writer (who wrote the heartwarming Korean movie "Marathon"), and a translator spent about two days with me here in Arizona in October 2005. At the time, I had no idea the translator was going to be the writer and the director of the movie.

In Oct 06, there was possiblities that movie was NOT going to be made due to "investor / finance." Then suddenly, I was informed the about the "rough-draft" script sometime in Feb '07. Around late July 07, I was then notified the movie will be released in Sept 07 and asked me to attend. So unfortunately, I didn't get alot of say with the script.

It's a movie not an autobiography. So movie is NOT always accurate but alot of "experience" were very close such as me going to military and while I was in the military, I was going to search my parents but I did NOT join the military just to find my parents...

I never meet Dan until the movie premiere in September 2007. So he and never had a chance to discuss and develop the character. Despite never meeting me, he did an outstanding job, and now he's a rising star! It's a privilege to have a movie made about my life and it's also a big bonus to have Dan acting me.

I saw the movie for first time at the Korean premiere in Sept 2007 with Daniel Henney, my parents and Soh Yung Kim. Due to "movie premier" exposure, I was somewhat in awe but at the end of movie, I broke down (tears of joy) 'cause my friend and I spent alot time getting to know my father.... most of all, I was deeply honored and to share my story .

Although the movie was not in English subtitles, I understood alot of the scenes such as KFC figure gone & etc... But the very end of movie where the hand is over the heart. I broke down and cried tears of joy & honor!

Due to my different "facial" features, my adopted parents have told me I was adopted since I was able to understand English (childhood). They've ALWAYS been supportive. In fact, they told me while I was in Korea in 1996 to search for biological my parents. So they were honored to know that my successful search became a movie. They enjoyed [the film] so much they watched it twice in Korea and just recently again in the U.S.

In 2003, I asked the KBS crew not release nor mention the DNA scene in the documentary because I knew that the media would be biased. [DNA test results showed Sung Nak Joo was not a match with Aaron Bates]. But that they still released that information the public. The truth about the DNA testing is that it's not always accurate. The hair sample I took was so damaged that the "bio-lab" asked me to get a better sample by blood or saliva. However, they tested the damaged sample. Besides, who in the world would claim Sung Nak Joo as their father. And what reward or profit does Sung Nak Joo reap?

HUMAN SPIRIT is not about lying, cheating, stealing and dishonor!

Well, it's NOT a question or "believing he is my father," my faith in Sung Nak Joo as my father is more powerful and plus so many the other factors were never mentioned in the movie which outweighs the damaged DNA sample. My faith and love cannot be compared to the damaged DNA!

Also, my father had a picture of me prior to DNA test or meeting me for the first- only the orphange had such a picture

In 2000-2002, I wrote a letter to "Minister of Justice" and spoke to a Korean Representative (like a "Senate" member) asking clemency for his life (not so much for a release from prison but spare his life). I believe my father will not be executed due to the recent honorable President avoiding execution..

Yes, I was amazed at publicity / Kroean media on the movie. The "power" of any media can either be positive or very negative. I feel the media keyed on the negative and positive so it sent a "mix" reaction.

The movie really didn't change my life much. I'm still a simple man who takes care of his family and work... not much fame here in the USA

If and only if the opportunity knocks and everything falls in place, I easily see myself living in Korea. I consider Korea a "second home" to me- I love Korea very much and have a lot of fond memories! However, my life is now here in USA with my very beautiful wife and two sweet angels (boys). Having two young children, I'm somewhat limited so maybe my next visit will be few years.

Three things: 1) Regardless of the situation- Praise God for everything! 2) Greatest gift God gave to all is that "Love conquers ALL and Love never fails" and, 3) ADOPTION reaps more blessings then one can really comprehend - adoption works!