Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jinuk Choi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jinuk, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I recently completed my second animation project, ‘Hair Universe,’ which holds significant personal and emotional value for me. I made this film to convey a message to individuals like my father, who find it challenging to express their emotions openly and share their struggles. Through ‘Hair Universe,’ I aimed to communicate the idea that our thoughts and emotions are connected and that we never have to suffer in isolation. This animation project was particularly meaningful because it provided an opportunity for me to explore various new techniques. I focused on seamlessly blending a 3D world into a 2D aesthetic, pushing my creative boundaries to create a visually engaging experience that complements the thematic depth of the project.

Jinuk, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Jinuk Choi, a filmmaker originally from South Korea, now based in the dynamic city of New York. My cinematic journey began with my debut film ‘Beyond the Line,’ a project that gathered recognition and awards at various film festivals, including those qualifying for the Academy Awards. Having earned my BFA degree in Visual Communication Design from Seoul National University in Korea, my pursuit of storytelling through visuals led me to New York, where I completed my master’s degree in Computer Art at the School of Visual Arts and established my own animation studio, ‘Kotory’ studio.

Recently, our team successfully completed my second animation project, ‘Hair Universe.’ The inspiration behind this project stems from the universal theme of coping with the inevitable loss of loved ones. Despite the fact everyone inevitably faces the death of their loved ones, we are never allowed to prepare to deal with such loss or even think about it properly. When the passing of loved ones occurs unprepared, many feel lost and deal with the pain alone. This film shows how love, death, the pain of loss, and mental anguish are intertwined just like the hair. When we realize such sadness is not ours alone but they ‘connect’ us all, we regain the strength to live.

I create films for dreamers and seekers, those yearning for those ‘movie-like moments’ in their lives. These could be the realization of seemingly unattainable dreams (e.g., “Beyond the Line”) or the touching moments when two souls finally understand each other’s sadness (e.g., “Hair Universe”). I aim to portray these meaningful moments in our lives through animation, sharing them with as many people as possible. I believe in the power of storytelling to resonate with the human experience and connect us through the emotions that make life truly special.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I spent three years working at Kakao, one of Korea’s major IT companies, where I had the fortunate opportunity to contribute to the creation of engaging and adorable character animations. Witnessing positive comments from the public, expressing genuine interest and emotional connection to my animations, has been incredibly rewarding. During this time, my aspiration to create my animation with unique characters and stories grew stronger. That’s when I decided to take the leap and come to New York to delve deeper into the world of animation, honing my skills and learning the necessary techniques to bring my creative vision to life.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think we need to change how we see artists. We often just see them as content creators, treating art as another form of consumable content. But at a deeper level, artists are the ones diving deep into society’s problems, giving us food for thought. This is especially important in today’s fast-paced world, where people may find it challenging to allocate time for thoughtful reflection. Society should start appreciating this side of art more and invest more in this aspect. It’s not just about pretty pictures and fancy techniques! It’s about sparking ideas and conversations that can shape our society in better ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jinukchoi.com
• Instagram: jinuk517
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jinukchoi/

Image Credits
Jinuk Choi