Rising Stars: Meet Yuri Kwag

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuri Kwag.

Hi Yuri, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a composer for film and media. I focus on writing music that is delicate and sophisticated, that resonates deeply and breathes with stories and emotions.

I grew up playing piano and violin in a variety of settings, from orchestras to rock bands to church bands, which vastly broadened my musical horizons. When my interest in storytelling met this diverse musical palette, I immediately knew that being a film composer was the way to go. And here I am in Hollywood, working with amazing talent from all over the world, writing music for film and media.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ll be honest, it wasn’t an easy journey pursuing my dreams, particularly as a foreigner in the United States. The language and culture posed significant initial obstacles. Nonetheless, surmounting each challenge broadened my perspective and taught me something truly invaluable. By melding my unique experiences with the many new things I encountered, I was able to expand my understanding of the world and apply it to my music.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in composing music for films, which in turn portray countless unique and diverse lives. The challenge of encapsulating each distinct life story into a mere two or three hours is a cosmic and artistic undertaking. Consequently, my aim is to produce music that defies definition, much like the complex nature of our lives, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the narrative. My music is intimate and grandiose at once, cheerful yet serious, much like life itself, which can be both a present and a tragedy filled with contradictions that can lead to feelings of futility. My aim is to sensitively convey emotions and energy that lie deep within, leading listeners on a journey of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. I strive to inspire love and hope with my music.

Currently, I am collaborating on my own with domestic and international filmmakers while expanding my musical horizon in collaboration with the film composer Rob Simonsen (known for his work on Oscar-winning films “The Whale”, “The Adam Project”, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”) in Hollywood. Of the 30+ projects I have worked on, one that I am particularly proud of is scoring my first feature film, “Fairy.” The movie was selected for the largest film festival in Asia, the Busan International Film Festival, as well as other prestigious film festivals. Additionally, I have collaborated with director Yuri Choe on several films. One of those films, “Skin and Blister,” earned me the Best Original Score Award from the Hollywood Gold Awards. Other movies were also chosen and nominated for various global festivals and awards, including the Venice Film Awards and the Anatolia International Film Festival. In addition to films, I had the good fortune to compose music for the 2023 League of Legends Championships Korea (LCK) spring season.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
When it comes to risk taking, I approach each risk that comes my way as an opportunity, not a risk. Every day, we make choices and often struggle to make the perfect decisions. However, I believe it’s not about making the best choice but rather the effort we make to turn our choices into the best ones. When we do that, our choices cannot be failures. They may not turn out the way we expected, we may not get the things we hoped for, but if we’ve done our best to make our choices the best they can be, we can always get back up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://play.reelcrafter.com/yurikwag/demo
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/yuri.kwag
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/yurikwag