Today we’d like to introduce you to Daeil Kim.
Hi Daeil, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
It is common for youth in South Korea to compete with one another to secure future success. In fact, many high school students, myself included, would spend over 15 hours a day studying and perfecting their academic skills. My parents were prideful as a result of their academically successful child. However, I faced much adversity when I realized this system did not work for me. My persistent personality continued to push me to explore my path. Through my passion for writing, I discovered filmmaking and something called ‘storyboarding.’
Although I was new to the concept of storyboarding, I would write short scripts and then draw what I saw in my head on a piece of paper. It was the moment when my desire to express myself creatively was fulfilled. I created my very first short film, TUNNEL SILOAM, which was about a mystical tunnel that heals people with disabilities upon reaching the end. Creating my first short film and showing it to people was the moment I realized I would be making a life-changing transition to move to America. My confidence in pursuing my passion kept me bolder than ever. I was 20 years old when I moved to the US by myself.
From there, meeting my wife, friends, and colleagues who believed in me allowed me to create my first no-budget feature film at the age of 24. Making a feature film required immense passion and patience. The experience was truly a learning experience and screening the film to over 350 people at a theater and getting it distributed through Gravitas Ventures was an answer that I may have what it takes to pursue filmmaking as my profession.
Currently, I am based in Los Angeles, working as a director/DP under my production company called Xylograph Films (www.xylographfilms.com) with my wife/co-founder, Melanie Sudyn, while finishing up the MFA Film Production program at USC.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I did not assume living in another country would be easy. With a young history compared to South Korea, America has a few topics and issues that I have yet to wrap my head around. Thankfully, my girlfriend guided me through my experience in the U.S. Every time I tried assimilating, she would ease me out of the language and cultural barrier I faced but encouraged me to keep my identity as a Korean. It wasn’t until I got married to her that I would begin thinking about my own voice as an American. After becoming a U.S. permanent resident, I was no longer an “International Student.” Sudden changes made me realize that I’m responsible of taking care of my family, even as a newcomer. If I was not American enough because I wasn’t born here, would I survive in this country? Would I be a good father for my future kids who would experience a life in the U.S.? Posing such questions allows me to grow as both a person and a storyteller, and it will continue to shape me as I follow the passion that brought me to the U.S. in the first place. Over time, I’ve realized that the endurance I learned allowed me to sustain long writing sessions that would lead me to eventually write eight feature-length screenplays, as well as maintain consistency in creating films. I aspire to continue to bring my screenplays to life. My life experiences throughout my journey as a Korean-American filmmaker have shaped me and brought unique perspectives to the story in a subconscious way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work as Director/Cinematographer on narrative projects, commercials, and music videos. At the outset of my journey as a newcomer to the United States, I used to find myself hesitant to explore narratives centered around identity. Looking back, I realize I was striving to assimilate into American society, opting for stories that would resonate with a broader audience. However, through years of filmmaking, I came to understand that unveiling my true self through storytelling is the most compelling way to evoke emotional responses in others. Embracing my diverse perspectives and cultural background became my strength. As I delved deeper into my craft, I began to infuse my work with deeply personal elements, including my vulnerabilities.
While the Korean community may have been underrepresented in the film industry, its recent surge in prominence, known as the “Korean wave,” has garnered significant global attention through outstanding movies and TV shows. I strive to maintain my uniqueness, as my voice is shaped by the experience of studying in the US and pursuing a career here despite not having grown up in the country. I hope that my unique perspectives will inspire the next generation as the film industry continues to embrace diversity and inclusion. I firmly believe that great films endure beyond the lifespan of a filmmaker, leaving a lasting impact on cultures and society.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My life has been all about taking risks ever since I made the decision to move to the US at the age of 20 by myself to pursue filmmaking. I didn’t know anyone, and I was not able to work as an international student. However, interestingly, I never thought I was putting myself into a dangerous risk; it was a necessary risk. Being able to see my family in Seoul, South Korea, only once a year sometimes pains me. On the other hand, I am building my own family here with my wife (although we don’t have kids and we don’t plan on having kids yet) AND I am proud of my body of work that I’ve built so far.
In retrospect, I was able to take risks because I felt called to make films. When you find something you love and you know you can be great at, you have to put all the passion into it. By doing so, you experience ‘growth’ each day, which will only make you more confident.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.xylographfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daeildale/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daeil.kim.5851
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daeil-kim-831a11179/
Image Credits
Xylograph Films LLC
