‘Minari’ Lee Isaac Chung, “Second-generation immigrant director, paving the way without a role model” [BIFF]

(Busan = News 1) Reporter Jang Ah-reum = ‘Minari’ director Lee Isaac Chung talked about the path he has pioneered as a Korean-American director.

Director Lee Isaac Chung said at a press conference for the 28th Busan International Film Festival special program ‘Korean American Special Exhibition: Korean Diaspora’ held at KNN Tower in Centumseo-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 6th, “We worked hard without role models,”and “We would rather make movies. “I was told not to, but I found my own path with passion and pioneered it,” he said.

He continued, “Korean movies are very Korean and have unique Korean stories,”and “the similarity is that they are made in their own way rather than following role models.”

Regarding the fact that second-generation immigrant content is gradually gaining attention around the world, he confessed, “In a way, we are living the reality of immigrants,”and “I think there are situations where you can feel like you are living without putting down roots.”He also added, “The life of an immigrant is a journey itself,” and “I think people from different cultures can feel empathy by telling their own stories.”

Meanwhile, this year’s Busan International Film Festival prepared a special program, ‘Korean American Special Exhibition: Korean Diaspora’. Director Lee Isaac Chung of ‘Minari’ (2020), which gave actress Yuh-jeong Youn the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2021 Academy Awards, and Steven Yeun, another lead actor of ‘Minari’, Justin Jeon of ‘Pachinko’ (2022), director Kogonada, ‘Search’ (2018) Jonjo attended.

aluemchang@news1.kr