Who am I ?

Born in Pyeongtaek-Si, Republic of Korea. Raised in Portland, Oregon. Nick is a dead filmmaker and photographer. While he can hear minimally with the assistance of a hearing device. One of Nick's intentions is to connect with audiences through his storytelling art.

He is currently 22 years old. His talent and dedication have led to collaborations with a diverse range of clients, from small local businesses to larger brands. His portfolio includes work for Bellzi, Toya Ramen, Bethel PDX, Klover, and many others, demonstrating his versatility and growing reputation in the industry. His passion for visual storytelling has taken him beyond local shores. He has worked internationally, documenting the journey of a sports athlete in both France and Israel. This experience has broadened his perspective and enriched his storytelling capabilities. Currently, he is in the distribution phase of his debut short documentary film, "The Airplane Home." This project marks a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his ability to conceptualize, produce, and deliver a complete film project.

Why / How I started photo & film

‘My journey in photography began at age 12 when I took my first class in school, we took the class of film photography. We learned film, the foundation of understanding how cameras work. Despite my initial lack of enthusiasm and minimal effort, I consistently received good grades. This unexpected success led me to believe I possessed a natural gift for visual arts. Recognizing this innate talent, I continued to pursue photography as a hobby. On March 18, 2016, around my birthday, with the allowance money, I purchased my first digital camera, a Canon EOS T3i, marking the beginning of my professional journey. My progress to where I am today is the result of relentless hunger and dedication. As I matured, I came to understand that my gift wasn't just talent, but a unique vision stemming from my hearing difficulties. This realization led me to prioritize and hone my visual skills. My hearing challenges, rather than being a limitation, became my strength. They compelled me to rely more heavily on my visual perception, sharpening my eye for composition, light, and moment. This distinct perspective has become the cornerstone of my photographic style and approach to visual storytelling. This journey from a seemingly disinterested student to a passionate professional photographer and filmmaker illustrates how perceived obstacles can become our greatest assets when we learn to harness them.’

‘My filmmaking journey began at 13 when I started editing videos. I would create mini-movie skits with my classmates, which taught me the fundamentals of filming and editing. This early experience laid the groundwork for my future in visual storytelling. As I improved my skills in photography, I felt I had mastered that medium and sought a new challenge. Motion pictures naturally became my next frontier. I recognized that filmmaking presented a more complex storytelling canvas, requiring the orchestration of multiple frames and the integration of music and audio to create a cohesive narrative. The transition from still photography to filmmaking was driven by my desire to push my creative boundaries. I found that while photography captures a moment, filmmaking allows me to weave moments into a larger, more immersive story. This challenge of combining visual elements with sound to evoke emotions and convey messages continues to fascinate me. For nearly eight years now, I've been mastering my craft in filmmaking, and I'm still passionately learning and growing in this field. Each project brings new insights and opportunities to refine my skills in visual storytelling, editing, and directing. This ongoing journey in filmmaking represents my commitment to continuous growth as a visual artist and storyteller. It's a path that constantly challenges me to innovate and expand my creative vision.’

What is my life goal ?

‘My goal is beautifully simple: to live happily and with purpose. I aim to lead a life where I can pursue my passions for God's glory while inspiring others. My desire is to explore and experience the world deeply, capturing moments along the way. I strive to embrace as many experiences as possible, creating a rich tapestry of memories that I can one day share with my children. My ultimate ambition is to become a film director, a path born from my deep passion for cinema. Currently, I'm taking steps toward this goal by creating a short documentary film. I'm forging my way as a potential director without formal film school education. Through this journey, I hope to inspire others and broaden their perspectives on the nature of art and education. I want to demonstrate that while schooling can be a valuable tool, art - especially filmmaking - is fundamentally about creativity. By pursuing my dreams in an unconventional way, I hope to encourage others to follow their passions and think creatively about their potential, regardless of traditional educational backgrounds.’

[ If you’re going to be a doctor, surgeon, etc; I highly suggest you to go to school because you will need it ]