Today we’d like to introduce you to Hyunseo Park.
Hi Hyunseo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Incheon, Korea, and was classically trained to play the piano from the age of six. As I went into middle school, I started accompanying for worship services on weekdays at a Christian school chapel and on weekends at church. Through six years of accompanying, I found real joy in playing the piano. It felt great and rewarding to be able to support people with music to encounter religious and emotional experiences.
My love for music grew as time passed and finding new music to listen to became my best hobby. Last year of high school, I studied jazz piano for auditions and became a Film Scoring major student at Berklee College of Music in 2016.
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 chose Berklee College of Music because I loved music, but I realized there are many different types of music that I am interested in as I got into college. I was in love with piano performance, songwriting, production, and film scoring, and it was difficult for me to figure out what my main path would be. I was still unsure after the mandatory military service in the Navy Band (2017-2019) and freelancing (2019-2021).
Then, I met some of my greatest teachers along the way. Professor Dennis Montgomery not only taught me how to play gospel piano and organ but also encouraged every second of my performance and refueled my passion for performance. Professor Vadim Neselovskyi taught me that composition is storytelling and allowed me to realize that performance, songwriting, and film scoring are all storytelling in a bigger scope. Lastly, Professor Ruth Mendelson taught me that being genuine and true is the most important thing in storytelling. I am thankful to have met all the teachers that have guided my path and given invaluable lessons that I will carry with me to the next chapter of my life.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I write music for films and media. I am drawn into stories that are genuine and personal. Two of the projects that I recently worked on share the concerns and thoughts that an individual has. “잘못 없는 사람들” (translated as: People Without Faults) talks about how people in society get hurt from the sources that no one can take a blame for. “The Ballad of Fred Fort” portrays a main character that deals with his mother’s passing. Both projects are in their final stages of post-production and are getting ready for film festival submissions.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Aside from film and media scoring, I am working on other musicians’ projects as a pianist and a producer. I also write and produce my personal projects as a singer-songwriter. The most recent project, “unsent letter,” can be found on YouTube (Link: https://youtu.be/z9noYyDdnPs?si=3K0ue_aqWQi_WIcO)
Music is a means to fully express myself and to connect with others on a deeper level. I hope to encounter different stories and collaborate with more musicians and film directors in the coming future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyunseo-park.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hyunseopark/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyunseopark/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hyunseopark
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4MqbpF1gPfGwUsQb1R35ba?si=YD7gG2soTPCgsKMbfHpJLQ
Image Credits
Youyoung Seo, Darin, Sweater
