Urban Island — Audience Award at Premiers Courts

Urban Island received the Audience Award at the Premiers Courts. The film received around 70 percent of the audience votes. The screening marked an important moment for the project and confirmed that the film resonated with viewers beyond its original context.

The film was developed together with Namhui Park and is set to the song Varúð by SIGUR RÓS.

Observing everyday life

Urban Island follows a homeless man in his forties who has lived on the streets of Seoul for more than eight years. He is part of a small community living near the train tracks around Yongsan Station.

He supports himself by collecting recyclable materials and avoids charity. Rather than explaining his choices, the film observes his routine and presence within the city.

A space in between

A small park near Yongsan Station plays a central role in the film. For people living on the street, it offers rest and a sense of safety. At the same time, it marks a clear boundary within public space.

I approached this place as both refuge and exclusion. The film stays with this tension and leaves it unresolved.

Making the film

Namhui Park and I worked together as co-directors. In addition, I took on cinematography, editing, and color grading. We kept the production process minimal and flexible, allowing observation to guide the structure of the film.

The project first premiered as part of a group exhibition at Culture Station Seoul 284. It was later shortlisted for a film grant by The Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation .

Music and atmosphere

The music by Sigur Rós shapes the rhythm and tone of the film. Its slow pace and layered sound support the images without directing interpretation. Rather than adding emphasis, the music creates space and distance.

Looking back

Receiving the Audience Award at Premiers Courts placed Urban Island in a new context and brought it to a wider audience. For me, the recognition confirmed that a quiet, observational approach can connect across cultures. The film remains an open record of life at the edge of the city—one shaped by proximity, restraint, and attention.