Today we’d like to introduce you to Ji Lee.
Hi Ji, 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?
In my last day of kindergarten, I remember I was crying so much that the teacher had to hold me in her arms throughout the graduation ceremony. My bright yellow uniform got soaking wet and it turned into a mustard color. I vividly recall how crushingly sad it was to say goodbye to my friends, the classroom, the tiny blue slide in the playground, and the teachers who would give me the warmest smile when our eyes met. You might think I’m a crybaby. (Yes, I was) But I’d like to believe that ever since I was little, I was gifted to feel more deeply than others. I laughed a ton, cried a lot, and was keen on both my and others’ feelings. As I grew up, compassion, empathy, and love became the most important values in my life. What gave me all of those was cinema. Watching films with friends under dim lights was the most wholesome experience I could do. It not only moved me and made me laugh and cry, but also I was learning new, more subtle emotions through film. Films always had something new to teach me.
Hence, I was drawn to films and watched a lot of them. Maybe because I was constantly watching films, I picked up on it naturally. I remember asking my father, who has worked as a producer his whole life, and who has supported me and mentored me from the day I was born, to buy me a camera so I can film things. Without hesitation, he got me a white, compact DSLR. It was my first camera. I carried it everywhere and started to film all kinds of things. I shot everything in my life back then. The streets, sky, friends, my room, and more. I taught myself how to edit and make a YouTube channel. Silly times, but that time in my life has taught me I can do it. I can make something if I have a camera and a laptop. For the first time in my life, I found passion. Filmmaking.
However, I grew up in Korea, where societal pressure for academic success is tremendous. I suppressed the drive to create and tell and studied hard. I got into Ewha Womans University, which is one of the most prestigious universities in Korea that symbolizes female empowerment and feminism. I initially started as an international studies major, but soon changed to Sociology and double majored in Business Administration. I fell in love with Sociology. My love and compassion for people led to take an interest in how society functions and what social issues exist. My time at Ewha Womans University helped me find my voice and perspective. I learned that I want to make films about people who are discriminated against looked down upon, and be their voice.
My first job fresh out of college was PR/marketing for Netflix content in Korea. I was beyond thrilled to have entered the film industry, and I learned so much about how the film industry is run. I worked on projects including <Strange Things>, <Narcos>, as well as Korean films titled <Heart Blackened> and <The Fortress>. While it was a fulfilling experience that humbled me, I craved more. I wanted to be part of the magic. Magic of filmmaking that happens on set and in the editing room. I didn’t know exactly what or how, but I knew I had to leave the job and take a step further.
I flew to Vietnam, where the film industry just started to blossom. I spent one year studying Vietnamese, watching more films, and searching for what I wanted to do. I also tried working in a conglomerate in the business management team. Then, things started to be clearer. I needed to create and tell through art.
I came back to Korea and started to tell stories through photography first. I took film portraits of women on subjects such as women’s back, eating disorders, and objectification of women’s bodies. I shot a short film titled <On The Way To> to apply for USC, which has been my dream school for years. I was lucky enough to be admitted, and my journey to become a filmmaker has finally begun.
My first semester at USC was on Zoom due to Covid. I had to film everything in my tiny apartment with no crew member. Though it was frustrating at times, I thought I was free to do whatever I wanted as long as I stayed in my apartment. The limitations motivated me to think more creatively. For my very first project at USC, which was a 30-second self-introduction film, I put on blue cellophane on the lens and hung fish plushies on my ceiling with fishing wire. I had the actor dance like she is swimming in the ocean. Even though Covid stopped me from going to the ocean, I could recreate the underwater world right there in my room. Up to this day, I keep this film in my heart, as it taught me to free myself from obstacles and put a positive spin on not-so-ideal situations. My second project, titled <When You Breathe the Air>, which is a film about how love starts and dies down, was premiered at the 2022 Seoul International Pride Film Festival. I was beyond exhilarated as it was my first film festival.
After the first semester, I finally moved to LA and started my second semester. Since then, I’ve written and directed three short films. I also found passion in editing and cinematography. I’ve edited over 15 short films and cinematographed five films during the past two years. I’m currently editing the USC MFA Thesis film <It Was Love To Me> and <Model Citizen>. I’m also DPing for a USC Capstone Documentary about Femininity, titled <Girly> while working on post-production of <Grape Boby>, a film I directed earlier this year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing was easy, but nothing was unenjoyable.
The biggest struggle was to decide on which track I will pursue. Most of my colleagues came from film backgrounds and had a clear sense of what they wanted to be, whether it is a cinematographer or a sound designer. However, I had too many things I wanted to learn and do. I struggled to label myself for a long time. A lot of people would come up to me and ask, “So what do you do?”, and I would say, write and direct. And edit. And DP. I also enjoy producing as well.
I got anxious seeing all my colleagues focusing on one track and building connections and experiences in that role. And I blamed myself for not being able to decide. But I still couldn’t decide!
So, I took on every opportunity I could get. I kept writing directing but also edited and DPed. Only recently, I started to see how everything merges in together. When I DP, my editing experience allows me to make sure the shots cut well together. When I direct, I have more confidence in what to cover and when it becomes overcovering. Wearing many hats allows me to be more understanding and compassionate of other crew positions and what each department can bring to the film. Now, I proudly call myself a writer/director, editor, cinematographer, and photographer. And I thank myself for being indecisive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I was moving to LA, my best friend in Korea wrote a book about me. It is called <Story of a Blue Bird>. In the book, the bluebird one day becomes scared of the height and can’t fly anymore. So, it sits on the tree and mourns, wondering where to go. The tree tells the bluebird, it’ll all be okay. Rest, and when a strong wind blows, close your eyes and open your wings. The bluebird listens to the tree, and on the day the strong wind blows, bluebird closes its eyes and flies. When it opened its eyes, it was up in the blue sky again, flying higher than before. And everywhere the bluebird went, it left blue traces. The traces disappeared soon enough, but the warmth it left never did. People remembered the bluebird by its blue warmth.
This story encompasses who I am as a person and what my work is. Based on the hardships and pain I have gone through and will go through, I want to make a film about them and warm up people’s hearts and soul. I hope my work can leave a blue trace (I really love the color blue and include it for all of my work) that makes living a little happier a little warmer.
I believe the special qualities of my films and me as a filmmaker are visual and compassion. My dear friend and a colleague once told me I am a visionary filmmaker. It was the best compliment I have ever received, and I worked hard to be up to par. I think visually and write with visuals in mind. I strive to create a unique visual for every story I tell so it leaves a lasting impact on the audience. Also, I try to be as compassionate and empathetic towards the characters in the stories as I can. I believe that when I am compassionate towards the characters, the audience also becomes more compassionate and therefore connects to the story in a deeper level.
My proudest work is the short film I directed most recently, titled <Grape Body>. Grape Body is a poetic film about women’s relationship with their body. Logline is as follows. “A girl with an eating disorder tortures her body in every way to feel worthy. But one day, she meets an old lady whose body is worn down and sickly.”
This film is very close to my heart and deals with a subject I’m still grappling myself. Therefore, every step of the process from writing the script to opening up about my struggle to help fundraise the film a challenge for me. It was like having to change into 50 different sweaters with a fresh wound on my arm.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The only reason why it was possible to complete the production of Grape Body is because of the incredible team I had met. Producers, who are also my good friends, supported me to ponder, fall, and get back up. Our DP always rooted for my vision and filled the film with ideas and beautiful imageries. Production designers had the toughest challenge of recreating the color palette of the location from red to blue, yet they somehow managed to surprise me with the colors that take the visuals of the story to the next level. Sound recordists and designers’ expertise and skills gave Grape Body the most high-quality production sound and creative sound designs that elevate the story. Everyone in the team poured so much into the film that I will never be able to articulate how grateful I am. I’m excited for Grape Body to meet young girls, women, and anyone who struggles with body image issues.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/chicchic.ll
Image Credits
Poster design by Hoyoung Son Soontobefish
