The New Years (2024)
Before I came to Canada, I worked as an indie animation director.
I made this film ten years ago, sponsored by the Seoul Animation Center & Seoul Business Agency (a $ 25,000 grant).
It tells the story of a man, separated from his family after the Korean War, who sends a kite every New Year’s Day in hopes of reaching his daughter. But the kite never quite makes it.
The film was inspired by the true story of an old man who, as a tailor, continued to make clothes for the family he left behind in North Korea—just in case he ever saw them again. I reimagined him as a mailman, because I found it powerful and ironic that someone who delivers news to others has no way of receiving his own.
More than 70 years after the division of Korea, many families are still waiting—growing older, carrying only memories and sorrow. Through this film, I wanted to give voice to their pain and also share a hope for healing and a better future.
I was in charge of not only Directing, Storyboarding, Concept Art, Character Design, Screenplay, and editing.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
(Over 23 Film Festivals in 10 Countries)
Korean Embassy Film Event (Frankfurt) (2024) — Germany (Official Invitation)
Happy Valley Film Festival (2025) — USA
Jeju 4.3 Film Festival (2025) — Korea
Saram Film Festival (2025) — Korea
Astoria Film Festival (2025) — USA
Filmare la Storia (2025) — Italy
Jeju Hondi Film Festival (2025) — Korea
Mokpo National Road No.1 Independent Film Festival (2025) — Korea
Cortocircuiti Film Festival (2025) — Italy
DMZ Documentary Film Festival (2025) — Korea (Official Invitation)
Barrier-Free Film Festival (2025) — Korea (Official Invitation)
HECare Film Festival (2025) — Canada (Finalist)
Busan Peace Film Festival (2025) — Korea (Official Invitation)
Anti-War Independent International Film Festival (2025) — Estonia (Finalist)
Rome Prisma Film Awards (2025) — Italy
Asiatiska FilmFestivalen (2025) — Sweden (Official Invitation)
Rohip International Film Festival — India (Winner: Special Jury Award - November)
COLIFFE - COLiseum International Film Festival (2025) — Italy (Winner: Best Animation Music Award)
Your Way International Film Festival (2026) — Malta (Winner: Best Animation)
Bratislava International Film Awards (2026) — Slovakia (Honorable Mention)
Berlin Indie Film Festival (2026) — Germany
Give a Peace Screen Festival (2026) — Italy
AmiCorti International Film Festival (2026) — Italy
(Updating)