Filming Cell Phone Culture in Shenzhen
In 2015, I traveled to Shenzhen, China, to work on a short film in collaboration with MIT, M ss ng P eces, and Co.MISSION Content. The project looked at how people around the world use mobile phones and how these devices shape daily behavior.
As a cinematographer based in Seoul, this trip gave me direct access to a place where phone culture moves fast and often takes unexpected forms. One location in particular stood out: a mall where customers actively searched for modified and hacked phones.
Observing Phone Use Across Cultures
I worked closely with Bunnie Huang and Kevin Salvin during this project. Together, we explored how phones influence the way people move, look, and interact. The focus stayed practical and observational rather than technical.
My role centered on filming the Shenzhen segment. I spent time watching how people handled devices, negotiated repairs, and adapted technology to their needs. These moments revealed how personal and flexible phone use can be.
The Shenzhen Segment
Shenzhen offered a unique setting. The city moves quickly, and its relationship with technology feels immediate and hands-on. In the mall we filmed, phones were not treated as finished products. Instead, they were tools meant to be altered and improved. That mindset shaped how I approached the camera. I kept movements simple and stayed close to everyday actions.
MIT Media Lab Collaboration
The film became part of a larger series created with MIT Media Lab for the Knotty Objects Summit. The Media Lab brings together research across technology, art, science, and design. That mix shaped the way this project developed. Later, the film was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick. The recognition reflected the strength of the collaboration rather than any single contribution.
Working with M ss ng P eces
My collaboration with M ss ng P eces played a key role in bringing the project together. Their approach supports flexible production and allows space for ideas that sit between formats. The team values process as much as outcome, which helped keep the project focused and open.
Looking Back on the Project
This project gave me a closer look at how technology adapts to place and culture. Filming in Shenzhen reminded me that global tools often become deeply local. For me, the strength of the film lies in those small observations. They show how people shape technology just as much as technology shapes them.
