A Journey to Ladakh

I recently had the chance to work on A Journey to Ladakh, a Samsung-supported project filmed in northern India. Together with Neil Dowling and Kuiock, we travelled from Seoul to Ladakh to document how technology and everyday life intersect in one of the most remote regions we’ve worked in so far. The project became as much about listening and observing as it was about filming.

Working with Samsung in a Remote Landscape

Collaborating with Samsung on this project felt natural. The brand’s interest in Ladakh goes beyond visibility. Even in remote areas, mobile technology plays a practical role in daily life. Ladakh offered a quiet and honest setting to explore that relationship without forcing a narrative onto it.

Arriving in Leh

Leh was our entry point into the Himalayas. The altitude, dry air, and slower rhythm required adjustment, both physically and mentally. Spending time there made it clear why this place matters to the people who live and work there. Samsung’s mobile store in Leh, sitting at around 3,500 meters above sea level, reflects a long-term presence rather than a temporary gesture.

A Story Rooted in Everyday Work

The film follows a delivery driver transporting Samsung products through difficult terrain. His routine may seem simple, yet it reveals how infrastructure, effort, and commitment connect communities. Focusing on this everyday journey helped ground the film in real experience rather than abstraction.

Filming in the Himalayas

Shooting in Ladakh came with challenges. The altitude affected both crew and equipment. Dust, cold mornings, and limited access shaped how we worked. Local support made a big difference, and their knowledge guided many decisions on set. Working under these conditions forced us to slow down and stay precise.

Collaborative Filmmaking at CONTENTED

Neil and I approach projects from different angles. I focus on visual structure and atmosphere, while Neil shapes the narrative. This balance has become central to how we work at CONTENTED. Even in demanding environments like Ladakh, that shared process helped keep the film focused and coherent.

Looking Beyond Ladakh

This project marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of others. New commercial work and longer documentary projects are already taking shape. Some will stay close to Korea, others will take us further abroad. What remains consistent is our interest in people, place, and the spaces where larger systems meet everyday life.

Reflections

Journey to Ladakh is not about scale or spectacle. It’s about how technology fits into lived reality, even far from major cities. Filming in Ladakh reinforced the value of patience, local collaboration, and restraint. I’m grateful to everyone involved for the trust and openness that made the project possible.