Class of 2009 Graduation

Finally, my brother graduated high school. It seemed like an endless journey when he was taking SAT's, applying for college, and enjoying senioritis. Every time mom yelled at my brother to write applications or wake up in the morning to go to school, I was vexed. But, now, if I think about it, I think I'll miss those screams in the future, since he will be gone for college. He is now, officially, an adult (which I don't really agree to). In Korean age, he is 20. Wow. I still feel like we're in elementary school; running around in home, watching movies in a row, and eating pizza. Swoop. But time goes by, and now I'm 18, he's 20.
It's been almost 5 years since we first enrolled in KIS. It was much different and diffcult than the korean school that we usually went. We had to not only speak English everytime, but also do homeworks, projects, and presentation in English. It was pretty tough for me to adapt new environment. But, as I grew older and started to make more friends, I am now one of the "origianl" KIS-ian.
My brother and I have a lot in common (in my opinion). We like to watch movies, listen to music, play basketball, and socialize. Even though I've never talk some serious with him, I guess in the future, we will talk more often. People say that when a brother goes to college, they come with become nicer (and give bonus cash :P). I don't know why, but I think it's because they miss home (but, I'm not even sure if my brother will miss home. HAHA). Nonetheless, I have a hope that he'll be much nicer and gentle when he comes back.Last friday, he graduated with all the other fellow mates. He looked pretty confident with the blue rob and the hat (Don't know what it's called). Me and my family took pictures of every step he took, to keep the memories. I didn't cry in the ceremony, nor I will in future, but something in my heart felt missing. Now that I have to go to school every morning without him, it was like a pen missing its cap. Again, I never said anything like this to him since it's still pretty embarrassing. But, now that we're both grown-ups, I wish we could have a little deeper conversation.
Anyways, congradulation to all who graduated and have FUN in college!

Breakfast at Tiffany's Movie Review

The first time I heard about this movie was probably when I was a little kid. In my childhood, I enjoyed watching animations like Winnie the Pooh or Toy Story. As I grew up I became attached to more serious contents like one that provokes motherhood or romantic comedy. However, I never tried to watch old, classic movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's because it was just... old. When I listen to the sound or watch the special effects that the old movies were made up of, it never excited me. On the other hand, when I watch Transformers or Pursuit of Happyness, the sound effects and the special effects all mend together to create one movie as a whole. It is so harmonious that makes the viewer to even be obsseesed and crazy about it, like I do.
However, few days ago, I found myself in a position where I was about to download Breakfast at Tiffany's. It wasn't because I knew the plot or I liked the actors (Well, of course, I've heard about Audrey Hepburn and her beauty, but still). I was just so curious why people would like this movie. (Come on... I mean seriously? Why so old 60's movie?) And there, I pressed the button. While it was downloading (legally), I couldn't stop myself from reading other's opinions about the movie. Some said it was chic, classic, and romantic. Some said it was just a normal, usual plot of the movie with just a beautiful cast. Honestly, I didn't expect anything from this movie.When the download was finished, I put the movie into my iPod and went into my bed to lie down. In such a comfortable position, I turned on the iPod and rolled the wheel till I saw "Breakfast at Tiffany's." With half excitedment and half worried, the movie started.
Guess what. I loved the movie. The music, the casts, even the plot looked perfect for me. The song Moon River absolutely blew me away. Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard's action was more than fantastic. The movie as a whole, blended all together and created one final masterpiece. I didn't know, until now, that classic movies were just as romantic and comic as the movies that are up on the theaters. This movie had a lot of comical lines and actions which made me more enjoyable watching it. It represented well about a naive, young newyorker, who loved jewerly and afraid to fall in love with a guy. Thus, I think my stereotype about classic movies have broke its shield. I think I am going to watch more classic movies over the summer to just increase my understanding of film. In addition, I am taking Film as Literature class next year, so I must be prepared to watch more classics!

Seoul International Youth Film Camp

Seoul International Youth Film Camp is being held at July 9th~15th at Seoul Youth Hostel. This is a great opportunity for future film makes to learn from experts and create their own films. Around 100 international teenagers will be joining who are passionate about enhancing their critical views and most importantly who are willing to learn about film-production. This camp will include variety of students from different countries which makes the camp international and cultural. Those cumulative ideas will not only broaden their understandings but also provide lifetime experience.
When: July 9th~15th
Where: Seoul Youth Hostel

The application was due last Sunday. I hurried up and wrote a two page resume about my interest in films and camp. They asked me what kind of movie, or book I liked, what I expect from the camp, what kind of software I can use, what is the motive for applying, and lastly, who am I. It took me tremendous amount of time to fill out the application because I didn't want to show and mistakes even from the being. If I am able to attend this camp, I think it'll help me a lot. They said some current actors and directors will visit to teach and work with our projects, and I am so excited. Even though, I won't be able to attend this camp, I will still continue to seek opportunities for my goal. But, hope I get in! Teheheh :]

18 year old directer enrolls in Harvard

Few days ago, I read a news article about how an 18 year old girl got into Harvard and other Ivy League schools with a short film that she made during her junior summer vacation. This article really helped me to be more confident and courageous about my future. By reading this article, it I learned a lot on how to step up and express the 'real' me.
Yun Kim, a Northfield Mount Hermon School student, enrolled in Harvard Class of 2013. This might sound very typical for people who got in to Ivy League colleges, but she was different in a sense "how" she got in.In 2008 summer, while she was heading back to Korea, she saw a magazine article about Hackwon Kim, an expert in fixing cameras for 40 years. Yun was so amazed about his passion in cameras that she wanted to make a documentary out of him. However, she didn't wanted a typical boring documentary, but a video art that focused on his artisanship. Therefore, that summer, she hired a small crew to produce a film. The film was called 'KH1,' which meant 'The only one camera that Hackwon Kim made.'
It was a magnificent success. Even though she went to Princeton Summer Camp on Film Studies, she never directed a piece before. However, this short film changed her label. She sent her film to 14 different big and small international film festivals and won several prizes from Korea, Netherlands, England, Japan and so on.
However, she also faced few challenges while producing the film. Because she was so young, not many people believed in her talent. Even Hackwon was doubtful, but he had to accept it since he approved filming before he saw her. Other staffs were also doubtful about her work. Because she was very meticulous, stubborn, and commanding about what she wanted to make in such a young age, not many staffs liked to work with her. They underestimated her talent and passion. But she putted her head up and worked through it with courage to prove them wrong. She worked overnight and edited by herself. Also, her dad wasn't glad at all when she first mentioned about making the film. Since SAT reasoning test was coming up soon, her dad was also doubtful about her choices. However under one condition that she will work hard on studying, he approved it.
In her college applications, she turned in 'KH1' to show something different about her. Later, she received acceptance letters from Harvard, Princeton, and other Ivy League colleges. Even though she received numerous prizes and enrolled in Harvard, she was very modest on rating her work. She rated her film as 3 out of 10. In future, I believe her modesty and courage will lead her to a successful directer.
When I first read this article, I was surprised on how one's decision and courage can lead to success. Not too modest or too arrogant, she balanced out her personality in a successful way. Because my future goal is also being a filmmaker, I was very interested on her work and how she worked it out. I have learned a lot from this article that leadership and courage is one of the most important factor when producing a film. However, I know that those factors aren't the strongest part for me. Because I am very shy and timid in front of strangers, I lack on my voices and what I really want to show.
It takes a long to be close with someone and for the most people I've met, it took over few years to really talk deeply or respectlly to others. My friends, Sarah and Yunjin, are probablly my oldest friends in KIS. With Sarah, its been 5 years since we've known each other and with Yunjin, its been 3 years. Therefore, it was hard for me to express my feelings or opinions to others when I wasn't around them. But now, I have learned that courage is something that I need to improve and develope on. After reading Yun's achievements, I started to feel more confident on my goal and future. I became sure on what I needed to challenge myself to be a stronger independent.

To view her film, go to http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/04/06/2009040601794.html and scroll down til you see a video :)