1905 – 1924

In the early twentieth century, thousands of Japanese and Korean picture brides moved to Hawaii and the west coast of the United States. The term "picture bride" comes from the fact that one member of the soon-to-be couple would select the other from a photograph.  There were numerous reasons why these women chose the fate of a picture bride: they often satisfied social pressures and familial obligations, while others had economic incentives to help their families. When it comes to Korean pictures brides in particular, many sought to escape Japanese occupation that began in 1905.