CHOA as a Vimeo Staff Pick
CHOA, a short documentary I co-directed, was selected for the Vimeo Staff Pick Channel. The film now sits alongside a small group of projects highlighted on Vimeo for their approach to storytelling. This selection marks my third Vimeo Staff Pick, following LONELY C and ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE NORTH. Each project grew from a different context, yet all share a focus on observation and restraint.
Working on CHOA
CHOA introduces Choa Choi, a Korean ice hockey player whose path challenged common expectations. I worked on the film together with filmmaker Adam Hobbs. We developed the project in collaboration with Underwood International College of Yonsei University. From the start, we kept the production small. Because of that, we could stay close to Choa’s everyday reality and respond to moments as they unfolded.
Choa Choi on the Ice
Choa often faced doubt because of her gender. Instead of addressing it directly, she focused on how she played. Over time, her presence on the ice shifted how others reacted to her. Her playing style grew more direct and physical. As a result, assumptions began to fade. The film follows this change without commentary and lets actions speak for themselves.
Recognition Beyond Vimeo
In addition to the Vimeo Staff Pick, CHOA was also featured on The Atlantic Selects. This feature helped extend the film’s reach and placed it within a broader conversation around sport, identity, and representation. The response confirmed our initial intention. We wanted to observe rather than explain and allow the story to remain open.
Beyond the Rink
CHOA does not frame Choa’s story as a statement. Instead, it follows moments of routine, pressure, and resolve. Through this, the film reflects wider questions around gender roles and international experience without making them its focus. By staying close to Choa’s movement and presence, the documentary keeps its attention on lived experience.
Telling the Story Together
Adam Hobbs and I approached this film as a shared process. We moved between directing and filming, which kept the work flexible and responsive. That balance shaped both the rhythm of the film and how the story came together. CHOA remains a project rooted in trust, both behind and in front of the camera. The Vimeo Staff Pick recognition acknowledges that approach and the care that went into telling this story.
