Documentary on Dong-A University Alumnus Youngdo Kim Nominated for U.S. Emmy Award

A Life Story of Korea's First Black Mixed-Race Baseball Player
Personal Fate Shaped by War, Shedding Light on Korea-U.S. Relations

The documentary "Baseball Harmony," which tells the life story of Youngdo Kim, known as Korea's first Black mixed-race baseball player and physical education teacher, has been nominated for the 2025 Emmy Awards in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) category, the most prestigious award in the American broadcasting industry.

Dong-A University (President Lee Haewoo) announced on May 20 that this film, which highlights the story of alumnus Kim from the class of 1972, has been selected as a nominee in the DEI category at the Emmy Awards hosted by the Pacific Southwest (PSW) chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 21 in San Diego, United States.

This documentary, set against the backdrop of the Korean War, delivers a deep emotional impact by portraying the cultural bonds between Korea and the United States and the personal narrative of its protagonist through baseball. The director is Amy Hutchinson (Hong Jiyeong), who is active in the United States. She stated that through the story of Kim and his family, she wanted to "convey a message of love and harmony."

Kim was born in 1950 to an American soldier and a Korean mother and grew up enduring discrimination as a Black mixed-race child. In 1968, he entered Dong-A University as a baseball scholarship student, playing as a third and fourth batter and first baseman, but faced significant barriers in the Korean baseball community at the time. He later pursued graduate studies, worked as a physical education teacher, and served as the baseball coach at Busan Daeshin Middle School, nurturing countless students.

However, due to persistent discrimination in Korean society, Kim immigrated to the United States at the age of 37 for the sake of his family and lived for many years without baseball. In the documentary, he finally regains his smile as he talks about baseball again after a long time.

The film also features scenes of Youngdo Kim revisiting Dong-A University, touring the campus and the baseball team's training grounds. It has received high praise for its portrayal of the discrimination he faced in Korea and his family's settlement in the United States, interweaving these stories to address multicultural identity and healing.

Director Hong is currently working on "Baseball Harmony 2," a sequel that will include follow-up stories about Kim's family. The new documentary aims to enhance its completeness by including interviews with Kim's children and records of family reunification, such as DNA testing.

The work has also attracted attention in the American educational community. Education scholar Dr. Bill Howe evaluated "Baseball Harmony" as having outstanding value as classroom material.

Previously, Dong-A University held a special screening of "Baseball Harmony" on campus in January last year. Director Hong, baseball team players, and members of the sports department attended the event, sharing a moving video call with Kim.

A representative from Dong-A University stated, "It is very meaningful that the life of alumnus Youngdo Kim is being recognized worldwide," and added, "We will continue to discover and highlight stories that respect the diversity of the region and humanity."