We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yoontaek Hong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yoontaek, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I built my confidence and self-esteem by just diving into things and learning as I go. Starting out in the Korean film and TV industry gave me a solid foundation, but moving to Los Angeles and working on different projects—like documentaries, commercials, and narrative films—really pushed me to grow. Each new challenge helped me step out of my comfort zone and learn more about myself.
Honestly, my love for filming is what keeps me going, even when things get tough. Over time, I’ve realized that I don’t need to have everything figured out right away. What’s the most important is being open to new experiences and learning from them. That mindset has been a big part of building my confidence as a filmmaker.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Yoontaek Hong, a director and cinematographer based between Seoul and Los Angeles. I’ve had the chance to work on all kinds of projects—documentaries, commercials, and narrative films—and I’m always looking to learn and grow in each area. My end goal is to become a director, and what drives me is my love for capturing life through the camera. Filmmaking started for me simply because I love shooting, and that passion still keeps me going.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most important qualities in my journey as a filmmaker have been a willingness to learn new things and an eagerness to take action. Whenever something piques my interest, I feel compelled to dive right in. This proactive attitude has helped me discover what I like and dislike, and these new experiences have become the fuel that empowers me to take on other challenges. When I was younger, I had a lot of things I wanted to do, and acting on my interests immediately is what led me to where I am today, making films that I love. Fear and anxiety are always part of the process, but I believe that you never really know anything until you try. Having a continuous desire to learn and staying curious have been incredibly beneficial to my work.
As I’ve worked with more filmmakers, I’ve realized that listening is the most important soft skill. A lot of people don’t really listen in conversations—they’re just waiting for their turn to talk. Good communication is key in any job, but in my line of work, where you’re constantly collaborating, actually listening can make a big difference in how others see you. This is especially true in documentary interviews. There have been times when I was more focused on my next question or not fully absorbing what someone was saying, which made me lose focus. Truly listening isn’t easy. Staying curious and interested in the people around you is something I think every filmmaker should master.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
This past year, I’ve been working on a documentary, and it’s been a really transformative experience for me. It’s the first time I’ve really focused on one person’s life for such an extended period. In the summer of 2023, I met a elderly man at a Korean senior center in Garden Grove. He’d been volunteering there for over 30 years, and my first impression of him was that he was full of energy, super healthy, and had a positive influence on everyone around him. As we spent more time together, volunteering side by side, I got to know him better. I listened to his thoughts on service and how he approaches life in general. These moments gave me a chance to see the values he lives by up close. Making this documentary has also been a big learning experience for me. It taught me to be more patient, more empathetic, and to really understand the complexities of someone else’s life. Documenting his story has broadened my perspective as a filmmaker and made me appreciate even more the quiet, powerful ways people can impact their communities. This whole project has really shown me just how powerful storytelling can be and how one person’s life can leave a lasting impression on others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yoontaek.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoontaeeek/
Image Credits
Yoontaek Hong
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