We recently connected with Aloha (Haekyung) Lee and have shared our conversation below.
Aloha (Haekyung), appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
When I boarded a one-way flight from Seoul to Los Angeles, I wasn’t just changing my address — I was changing my life. I had already built a career in South Korea, even storyboarding for Netflix’s Squid Game, but I felt an undeniable pull toward animation. It meant leaving behind stability, loved ones, and a clear path for a country where I knew almost no one and an industry famous for its competition.
At USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, I threw myself into learning, often staying late to refine storyboards until every beat felt right. That dedication led me to my dream — interning in Pixar’s story department. Looking back, the biggest risk wasn’t leaving home; it was betting on my own voice as a storyteller, trusting that if I put my whole self into my work, someone would listen.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Aloha (Haekyung) Lee, a Korean story artist who’s worked across both live-action and animation — from the global phenomenon Squid Game to my dream stage at Pixar. I’m often recognized for my comedic sequences that make audiences laugh out loud, but I also tell deeply personal, emotionally resonant stories.
One of those was my animated short ‘Indefinitely’, a film about “loving something so much you’re brave enough to chase it, despite the enormous fear of uncertainty.” That theme reflects my own journey as an international artist, woman, person of color, non-native English speaker, and neurodivergent person navigating this industry. Seeing audiences react with genuine emotion at screenings, and watching the film win and be selected at renowned international festivals, reminded me exactly why I tell stories in the first place.
What sets me apart is my ability to create moments that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
While at USC, I directed and storyboarded ‘Indefinitely’ while also serving as a class assistant for multiple animation courses. Balancing my own thesis production with supporting other students’ creative journeys was demanding. There were nights I re-boarded entire sequences, coordinated with artists in different time zones, or troubleshot last-minute audio improvements with my mixer just hours before a deadline.
Resilience, I learned, isn’t just about pushing through. It’s about adapting with empathy, finding creative solutions under pressure, and continuing to lead with clarity even when your own energy is running low.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, it’s when the art truly connects. When ‘Indefinitely’ screened for the first time, I saw people in the audience gasping, bittersweetly laughing, and quietly wiping their eyes. That moment — realizing a story born out of my own fears and hopes could resonate so deeply with strangers — was worth every sleepless night.
Storyboarding is often invisible work, but when a scene I’ve shaped makes someone genuinely ‘feel’ something, it’s no longer invisible. And I know I didn’t get here alone — every step of my journey has been supported by friends, mentors, and collaborators who believed in me, pushed me, and inspired me. I carry their voices with me in every project I take on.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunday_sundae.mp4/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloha-lee/
Image Credits
Emma Bliss Ream, Kaitlin Goldstein