Today we’d like to introduce you to Kary Hyunjeong Rho.
Hi Kary Hyunjeong, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m Kary H. Sarrey (Kary Hyunjeong Rho), a Korean filmmaker, playwright, and lyricist based in New York. I started in theater and literature, drawn to stories that echo across cultures and generations. Over the years, I’ve built a body of work that spans films, musicals, and global-format television — often blending Korean culture with contemporary narratives.
As the founder of Suddenly Pictures, I focus on projects that bridge East and West, myth and modernity. My path hasn’t been linear — it’s been layered, like the stories I tell. But every project, every risk, has brought me closer to the kind of storytelling that moves people — quietly, deeply, and across borders.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. As an immigrant artist, I’ve had to navigate a new culture, build a network from the ground up, and often fund my own projects just to keep creating. Also a mother of three, there were years when I felt like I was juggling full-time — bouncing between the kids’ lacrosse field and a film set, writing grant proposals while making dinner, editing scripts after bedtime stories.
But somehow, I found my rhythm. The chaos taught me to be efficient, resilient, and incredibly resourceful. I’ve learned to hold space for both — the creative and the domestic — and to lead with empathy in both worlds. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And that balance, however wobbly at times, has shaped the stories I tell.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I think everything changed with Song of the Same Night — a short film I made during the pandemic, almost in isolation. It ended up traveling farther than I imagined, winning awards and screening at festivals — but more than that, it reminded me why I create: to speak honestly, and to connect. That project taught me how powerful it is to share your own voice — and how beautiful it can be when others join in.
Since then, I’ve crossed the country performing with strangers who became collaborators, from small-town stages to Lincoln Center – made a music documentary “I cross the sea with you” with Korean Rock band, “byebyesea”. I wrote and directed BlueBlind, an Off-Broadway musical born from a childhood dream of making it to Broadway. “Insomnia 4:00 AM” and “20”, a deeply personal short, took me to Cannes — and showed me a world of filmmakers I continue to learn from.
And with The Other Side of Winter, I found something rare — a process rooted in friendship, trust, and mutual respect with K pop star Hoya (Howon Lee). We made a film, yes — but also a kind of shared voice, a song made together.
Now, I’m in the thick of building Next Gen Survival — a global survival show that brings together myth, nature, and technology. It’s a completely different kind of storytelling, but at its core, it’s still about connection — what we hold onto, and what we find in each other when everything else is stripped away.
As the founder of Suddenly Pictures, I hope to keep creating spaces — on screen and off — where bold, cross-cultural stories can take root and grow.
And none of it would be possible without the friendships, collaborators, and strangers who became family — and especially my three children, who remind me every day what strength and love really look like.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I’ve been guided by many mentors, though not always in the traditional sense. My professor Jonathan Fung at the Academy of Art University gave me the tools and confidence to begin. Jenny from Recycled Karma introduced me to a circle of brilliant, kind-hearted Korean women — all willing to lift one another up.
But I’ve also learned from my friends — musicians, actors, crew members — each one teaching me something on set, in conversation, or just by showing up fully. Collaboration has been my greatest teacher. And above all, my mother has been the strongest mentor I know. Her quiet resilience and unshakable belief in me is something I return to again and again.
And now, sometimes, my kids teach me too. Once, at a school meeting, I saw my child’s written motto: “If you see someone without a smile, give one of yours.” I didn’t even know they thought that way. But it melted my heart — and reminded me that wisdom isn’t always passed down. Sometimes, it comes from those we’re raising.
So if you’re looking for a mentor — start by listening. Mentors don’t always look like mentors — sometimes they’re beside you, not above you. And often, the best way to find one… is to first be open to learning from everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suddenlypictures.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karylove22
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karylove22
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suddenlypictures/
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2307293/
Image Credits
Pictures : Creatio Films
Posters : Suddenly Pictures
