Rising Stars: Meet Jiwoo Lee of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jiwoo Lee

Hi Jiwoo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Looking back to my teens and early 20s, I’ve always been passionate about music, film, and connecting with people. I majored in Classical Composition at SookMyung Women’s University in Korea because I loved playing the piano and composing music. My perfect pitch has also been a significant advantage in my musical journey. Although I was studying classical composition, my interest in film and TV always drew me in. After watching movies or shows, I would eagerly share my thoughts with my mom and friends, sparking deeper discussions. I knew I wanted to pursue film composition, but staying in classical composition would mean years of additional study without getting closer to my true goal. Since Korea didn’t offer a major in film composition, I explored other options and discovered that several schools in the U.S. specialized in it.

Musicians Institute in Hollywood stood out, being at the heart of the film industry and well-known in the music world. Fortunately, I performed well at the audition and was awarded an International Musicians Scholarship for my three years there. I decided to leave the university in Seoul and move to Los Angeles to study film and media composition.

After graduating, I was selected for the Film Scoring Intensive Masterclass at Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. That experience, learning from renowned composers and orchestrators like Pete Anthony, Lawrence Shragge, Patrick Kirst, and Anna Drubich, was truly life-changing for both my music and my path as a composer. Now, I’m fortunate to be working with Lawrence Shragge and Anna Drubich as a film composer and orchestrator. My journey has taught me that if you keep pushing towards your passion, eventually, you’ll get to where you want to be.

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?
The road has definitely not been smooth. Even though I knew it would be challenging, it was harder than I expected. Moving from Korea to the U.S. after living there for over 20 years was a huge adjustment. Everything was different, especially the language. English isn’t my first language, so in the beginning, I had to put in extra effort just to communicate. While I did pick up the language fairly quickly, I soon realized that confidence and how you treat others is just as important, if not more.

It’s easy to feel insecure about not speaking ‘perfect’ English, but I’ve learned that confidence and kindness go a long way. If you’re brave enough to put yourself out there, make new friends, and engage in conversations, people will notice your character more than your language skills. I’ve always told myself: be brave. No matter what, no matter where I am, I strive to do my best and be courageous. That mindset has been key in both my life and music career.

Studying music can be overwhelming because the world and the industry are constantly evolving. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I don’t need to know everything or be perfect. Instead, I approach each new challenge with an open mind and try to enjoy the learning process. It’s also tough because the industry is very competitive, but I’ve learned that the real competition is with myself, not others.

I aim to enjoy the journey, take small steps forward every day, and, most importantly, never give up.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I compose music for film and media, with the goal of supporting a character, a story, and an overall mood. Sometimes, I create original compositions, and other times, I focus on orchestration, enhancing the sound of an existing piece by arranging it for an orchestra. While I’ve studied both film composing and orchestration, I don’t believe I’ve achieved success simply because I’m better than others. I’ve been fortunate to have composers who believed in me and gave me opportunities, and I’ve come to realize that luck plays a role, especially in a competitive industry like this.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is my work as the music director, composer, and orchestrator for two short animations, Glasses and Layla, with the Art Center animation team. Glasses received significant attention, reaching almost 280K views on YouTube, and it’s heartening to see it still being loved by audiences. After graduating, I had the honor of orchestrating films like The Ice Rink Murders, Have You Seen My Son?, and Killing for Extra Credit?. Each of these projects taught me valuable lessons in collaboration and the creative process.

Currently, I’m working as a composer for a documentary about magic and the magic industry, collaborating with Anna Drubich. It’s an exciting project, and I’m grateful to be part of it. Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue working on diverse projects with talented artists and directors. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’m excited for the journey.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First and foremost, I give all the glory to God. Everything I’ve accomplished has been under His plan and guidance, and I know I couldn’t have done any of this without Him. I also want to express deep gratitude to my parents, who have supported me both mentally and financially. They’ve been working for over 30 years, and I admire their dedication to pursuing their dreams while raising me and my sister, Yeonwoo. Now that I’m older, I understand how difficult it is to balance personal goals with raising a family, and I will always appreciate their hard work and the values they’ve instilled in me.

I’d also like to acknowledge Lawrence Shragge, who has been a mentor and a major influence in my life. He is one of the best composers I know, and I’m incredibly grateful that he gave me the opportunity to work alongside him and observe his creative process. He’s always pushing me to think bigger and outside the box, and I’ve learned so much from him already. I look forward to continuing this journey together.

Another key figure in my life is Anna Drubich, who gave me the chance to work on one of her documentary projects. I’ve always admired her music, and working with her has been incredibly inspiring. Beyond the music, her kindness and honesty have taught me valuable lessons about being both a composer and a person. I’m lucky to have learned from her, not only in terms of music but also in how to approach this career with grace and humility.

I also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my friends who have been there for me along the way. Words can’t fully express how grateful I am for your support and love. Walking this path with all of you has made the journey even more special.

Lastly, I want to thank Sam, who has been my rock through all the highs and lows. Your unwavering support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us as we continue to make new memories together. I’m so fortunate to have you in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jiwooleemusic.com/
• Instagram: @jiwooleemusic