Directing and filmmaking
From a young age, I developed a deep passion for cinema. After school, I would eagerly return home to watch films my father purchased from the local VHS store. Influential directors such as Steven Spielberg and James Cameron have been a significant source of inspiration for me. Film has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today, fueling my aspirations in directing and screenwriting.
I thrive in collaborative environments, working closely with my production team, whom I consider a second family—one that truly understands and shares my artistic vision. I deeply value the dedication and effort of everyone involved in bringing my films to life, recognizing that each project is a collective achievement.
Logline: A story of an orphaned student who tries to pay his debt to the mafias but goes through an emotional journey with his friend.
Production Team:
Directed, edited, and written by Jae Hyung Kim
Assistant directed by Byungsoek Kim
Production designed by Dyne Suh
Director of Photography by Eunhyuk Ahn
First DP Assistant by Joshua Sayson
Second DP Assistant by Joseph Su
Sound directed by Dyne Suh & Dinan Sin
Produced by Joseph Su
Script Supervisor by Elin Han
Cast:
Viktor Babitskii as Alex
Yingyue Loeffler as Anna
Choi Yi Gyu as Mr. Yorke
Dinan Sin as Mr. Chev
Sweet Pain was the first film I wrote, edited, and directed—a project that filled me with both excitement and nervous anticipation. Shot in Songdo, South Korea, the filmmaking process was an incredible experience, though not without its challenges. I encountered communication difficulties, particularly with my assistant director and director of photography, occasionally leading to misunderstandings and disagreements about my directing approach. In retrospect, I recognize that these moments stemmed from my shortcomings as a director. However, they became invaluable learning experiences, shaping my growth and reinforcing my commitment to improving my craft.
With Sweet Pain, I sought to experiment with storytelling and visual language. The film explores the loneliness of students who struggle to connect with others, both physically and emotionally. I deliberately used deep shades of red and blue to evoke feelings of fear and depression, reinforcing the film’s melancholic tone. More than just a creative endeavor, this project served as a personal lesson—one that reminded me of the importance of openness, both in filmmaking and in life. I realized the significance of expressing thoughts, emotions, and ideas rather than suppressing them. Ultimately, the film’s core message is to embrace one’s true self.
Logline: A boy who found out his girlfriend cheated on him and goes to someone he knows who will help him get vengeance.
Production Team:
Directed, written, and edited by Jae Hyung Kim
Assistant directed by Sanweng Gun
Director of Photography by Nick Lloyd
Gaffer by Daejune July Lee
Grip by Hanna Castillo
Sound Directed by Hoon Stephen Lee
Production designed & SFX make up by Carson Reva Mickles
Produced by Jae Hyung Kim
Cast:
Fenil Patel as Danny
Caylie Leithead as Riley
Ruby Kwak as Lisa
Donut was a fascinating experiment in screenwriting, pushing me to analyze key scenes and explore ways to create tension through restrained dialogue. To deepen my understanding of visual and psychological terror, I studied thriller and horror literature, examining how screenplays translate fear onto the screen.
The project drew inspiration from various books and films I admired, with The Chaser (2008), directed by Na Hong-jin, serving as a major influence. Its gripping action and intense dialogue inspired me to craft a film that delivers emotion and shock in every scene. I challenged myself with the question: Could I direct and convey a story so terrifying? In the end, I embraced the challenge and brought it to life.
Logline: Chris, who has lost his job, wife, kids, and life, is about to end his life until a devil appears and offers him a sinister deal.
Production Team:
Directed, written, and edited by Jae Hyung Kim
First Assistant directed by Byungseok Kim
Second Assistant directed by Joshua Sayson
Director of Photography by Jae Hyung Kim
Gaffer by Michael Liou
Grip by Davi Silveira
Sound Directed by Crew Simpson
Production designed by Davi Silveira
Produced by Abraham Zhong
Cast:
Abraham Zhong as Chris
Leo Testi as The Devil
The Deal was one of my most anticipated and exciting projects. This short film was shot on 16mm EASTMAN DOUBLE-X Black & White Negative Film using the Bolex H16. The production presented unique challenges, requiring adaptability and problem-solving on set. Working with black-and-white film was a remarkable experience, as it had long been a personal goal of mine to shoot in this medium and utilize the Bolex H16. Achieving this was both a creative milestone and a significant accomplishment in my filmmaking journey.
