Filming A Path to Success at UIC
I worked on the UIC PROMO video titled A Path to Success together with Adam Hobbs. We are both based in Seoul and shared directing and cinematography responsibilities on the project. The video was produced in collaboration with producer Kuiock Park and developed closely with the college.
The aim was to create a short film that reflects daily life at Underwood International College rather than present it through statements or claims. We focused on movement, interaction, and atmosphere across the campus.
Working as a Team
The project relied on a wide group of contributors. Students and collaborators such as Hyungji Park, Jade Choi, Ji Hye Jung, Levi Patel, and many others played an important role in shaping the shoot days. We also worked alongside teams from Exit Studios and Club Cage. Their involvement helped keep the production flexible and grounded in the everyday rhythm of campus life.
Understanding Underwood International College
UIC is a highly selective, English-language liberal arts college located in Seoul. It combines an American-style curriculum with the wider resources of a major Korean research university. Classes are taught in English by international and Korean faculty. Students come from many countries, which shapes how discussions and collaboration unfold both inside and outside the classroom.
How UIC Is Structured
One of the defining aspects of UIC is its Common Curriculum. This structure brings students from different majors together and encourages exchange across disciplines. Rather than separating fields early on, the program allows students to develop a broader way of thinking before narrowing their focus. While filming, we paid attention to how this structure affects daily interaction.
UIC Within Yonsei University
Underwood International College is part of Yonsei University, one of Korea’s long-established private universities. Yonsei sits within the group often referred to as the SKY universities. The campus reflects this history. Older buildings stand next to newer ones, and academic life moves across both without clear division.
Reputation and Global Context
Yonsei holds a strong international reputation and appears consistently in global university rankings. Its programs in areas such as business, social sciences, health, and psychology attract students from Korea and abroad. For the film, these rankings were not the focus. Instead, we concentrated on how students experience the campus and use its spaces.
Approach Behind the Camera
Adam Hobbs and I kept the process simple. We moved between directing and shooting and worked with natural light wherever possible. Rather than staging scenes, we followed what was already happening. The result is a film built from observation. It reflects how education, movement, and exchange take shape across the campus over the course of a normal day.
