Today we’d like to introduce you to Minjoo Kim

Hi MINJOO, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?

My days as a 17-year-old teenager were quite ordinary concerned about my future. In the music class, we watched “Aida”, brightly projected in the dark classroom was fascinating to the point where my eyes and ears were captivated. As I became overwhelmed by its grand scale and brilliant lighting I had watched the entire play in a state of awe. I felt a bright light shining down in the corner of my heart that had, for so long, been colorless.
Afterward, I gradually became interested in ‘theater’. I became greatly interested in Lighting Design. I was completely captivated by an intangible matter called ‘light’. I became even more fascinated by light in the sense that it could not only fill space, and express atmosphere, but also how it could express many other things, even in a space, through color, texture, and direction.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

There are certainly unexpected obstacles in the US as an international designer. My experiences interacting with Americans and non-Americans have led me to realize how I as an international designer, in particular, have a challenging time. This goes far beyond English proficiency. Having an open mind has helped me overcome these difficulties. I have a desire to dedicate myself to bridging Asian culture and American theater. I believe it would produce wealthy multi-culture in our world.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’m a painter in the theater. I paint with the light on the canvas known as theater. When I picture on the stage, everything is alive. I have diverse sizes of brushes and myriad color palettes. I am fascinated by light in the sense that it can express atmosphere and environment but also how it can illustrate many other things, even in space, through color, texture, and angle.

This description above of myself as a lighting designer is what I learned for about 8 years working as a lighting designer. It was a journey to open my eyes to the way of using lights. I experienced different types of theatre that trained me in the way to deal with architecture and environment.

All shows I designed went through a debate with the creative team from at least three months to a year. Through this process, the team developed the script which is just text for the play and the concept of movement for the dance show. Eventually, this base became a show in the theater with actors or dancers, set, sound, and lighting.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?

I always give myself time to experience and learn many things without limitation. I’m not afraid of new stuff. I am eager to work in various environments. It gives me chances to meet diverse people. Also, I hope to have projects in genres that I have not experienced. I will grab many opportunities to collaborate with other professionals. I believe I can develop myself through this experience. I would not only learn a lot from the great intuitions of theater-makers but also have invaluable experience in cooperating with them. Through these experiences, I wish to deliver a message: Everyone can make theater and art if they are eager to do it regardless of who they are or where they belong.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://minjoo-design.com

Image Credits
Flood (KC Rep – Copaken Stage): Don Ipock
The Far Country (Berkeley Rep Theatre): Kevin Berne
Ink (Round House Theatre): Margot Schulman
King of the Yees (Signature Theatre): Christopher Mueller&DJ Corey
American Fast (City Theatre): Kristi Jan Hoover
English (Studio Theatre – Milton Theatre): Knud Adams