Life & Work with Junseong Park of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Junseong Park.

Hi Junseong, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was a kid, I loved making videos. I especially liked editing because I was interested in creating a story by building small clips. That passion eventually led me to filmmaking. I dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, so I left my home country and family to learn English and pursue that dream. I want to prove that I can achieve it by doing what I love here in the US. I believe that when you’re prepared, opportunities will come. Therefore, working on projects and making the director and team happy is my top priority in life.

Today, I’m working as a film editor and assistant editor for narrative films, TV series, documentaries, and reality TV shows. I’ve tried to stay busy, learn consistently, and gain as much experience as possible to survive in the film industry. Despite fierce competition, I’ve focused on being kind, helpful, and growing with others. As a result, I’ve been fortunate to receive valuable opportunities from many people and develop the skills needed in the field. It’s been a challenging journey at times, but I feel grateful for how far I’ve come, and excited about what’s next.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There were three main struggles that I experiences. The first was adapting to the new environment. In the West coast, especially in Los Angeles, it is difficult to live comfortably without a car. It was stressful to get to set without a car and commute to the studio, which took 4-5 hours round trip.

The second challenge was building connections. For new filmmakers without a network, it is very difficult to get involved in projects. That is why, in the beginning, I joined many student projects, expanded my network by meeting new people, attended networking events for filmmaker, and spoke with as many people as I could. I also emailed and called countless studios and filmmakers. Unfortunately, the imbalance of information based on connections can make a huge difference, even when people have the same skills.

Lastly, there are restrictions on foreigners. International students often cannot work off-campus, earn money, and take paid internships easily. Many opportunities are restricted due to government regulations and school policies. Some companies won’t even accept the resume without a green card. No matter how much I want to gain experience in the field, the school only allows me to apply for a limited number of internships if I’m in a certain grade and have to apply for certain classes.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a film editor and assistant editor based in Los Angeles, specializing in narrative films and documentaries, although I also work on TV series and reality shows. I’m involved in shaping the story, organizing footage, and helping bring director’s vision to life during the post-production process.

I’m known as the editor of the short documentary We Are People Too, which was selected by several BAFTA-qualifying film festivals, and Invisible Symphony, a PBS Fine Cut finalist. I also directed 1994 Northridge Earthquake, which was nominated by CCMA, ACP, and the Hearst Journalism Awards.

What I’m most proud of is moving to the United States and becoming a student and filmmaker in California. Since 5th grade, I’ve dreamed of living in Los Angeles and working as a filmmaker. To achieve that dream, I joined my school’s broadcasting department, taught myself how to edit, and gained hands-on experience on set. In 9th grade, I left South Korea to attend an international school, where I lived away from my family to expand my education and learn English Now, I’m living the dream I imagined years ago. I’m working on broadcast TV shows and feature film projects and have had the opportunity to collaborate with many creative and talented people. I’m excited to keep learning and to contribute to the film and television industry in Los Angeles.

What sets me apart is my passion and global perspective. As an international student from South Korea, I bring a creative and unique perspective to storytelling. My background, growing up in Korea, studying in Thailand, and working in the U.S., has given me a deep understanding of different cultures and allows me to create stories with a sense of authenticity. I’ve also been involved in many areas of media since childhood, including cinematography, video production, and promotional content to achieve my dream. Now I’m in the right place with limited time and opportunity, I’ve always pushed myself to stay focused, keep learning, and never give up.

What matters most to you?
What matters the most to me is that I have people that supported me throughout my filmmaking journey. My parents have always been my emotional backbone in addition to helping pay for things that I could not afford. My parents believed in the journey that I was on, and encouraged me to pursue my own success over what society defines as success.

The mentors I met in college also had a great influence on me, they advised me academically and gave me access to industry contacts that opened doors to professional experiences I could have only dreamed of prior. Their support aided my growth, not only for my filmmaking career, but within myself as well.

And, of course, all my friends, who feel like family, have been right next to me. They have experienced the highs and lows of this journey with me, we all adjusted together to new environments, and they have been on set with me, all pursuing the same shared passion. As an foreign alien, filmmaking can be isolating and difficult, but knowing I have those who believe in me around makes a huge difference.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://junseongpark.myportfolio.com/bio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason.parrrk
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junseong-park-b4682325a
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15418557/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_junseong%2520park