TITLE: Cinematographer Park Min-woo Completes DP Work on Film ‘Shinui Akdan’
CONTENT:
Cinematographer Park Min-woo KSC has wrapped his work as DP on his 15th film, ‘Shinui Akdan’, overseeing both cinematography and lighting to maintain a consistent visual direction and on-set tone.
‘Shinui Akdan’ is directed by Kim Hyung-hyeop, produced by Studio Target, distributed by CJ, and set to screen at CGV. Starring Park Si-hoo and 2AM’s Jung Jin-woon, the comedy uses its North Korean setting to explore human irony and emotional texture. Its blend of commercial appeal and unique premise has drawn industry interest even before release.
Since 2008, Park studied and worked in New York while majoring in directing at Pratt Institute. Grounded in the American DP system, he has served as cinematographer on 15 projects, directed two feature films, and worked as editor on three others. His combined experience in cinematography, directing, and editing has shaped an approach that balances technical precision with narrative structure and rhythm. After returning to Korea in late 2019, he has steadily contributed to film and television productions, including the KBS drama ‘Oasis’ (2023).
Principal photography for ‘Shinui Akdan’ took place in the harsh Mongolian winter of early 2024. Outdoor shoots faced temperatures as low as –40 °C, while indoor sets hovered between –15 and –20 °C. Despite equipment freezing and repeated physical strain, shooting in real extreme cold preserved actors’ breath and movements authentically on screen. The environment itself became part of the mise-en-scène, enhancing the film’s realism.
Park defines a cinematographer’s role not only as camera operation but also as taking responsibility for lighting and the overall visual tone. By integrating cinematography and lighting, he has simplified collaboration with directing and art departments while ensuring each scene’s emotional arc and narrative flow are directly reflected on screen. Though influenced by the American DP model, this integrated approach remains a transitional practice in Korean film production.
In this sense, ‘Shinui Akdan’ stands as more than a milestone in Park’s filmography—it demonstrates how a cinematographer’s role can expand in Korea’s filmmaking environment. The project proves that an integrated DP can function effectively on a production that traditionally separates cinematography and lighting.
A directing major himself, Park continues to co-write scripts and plans to direct independent films exploring stories on the cultural and geographic border of Korea, North Korea, and Northeast Asia. Observers are keen to see how his on-set experience and visual language will shape his future directorial work.
Park commented, “Filming in real extreme cold allowed the actors’ movements and breathing to be captured authentically. By integrating cinematography and lighting, we focused on preserving the set’s atmosphere and emotional current as naturally as possible. Though the conditions were harsh, they brought a strong sense of reality to each scene.”
Park Min-woo’s accolades include the Best New Cinematographer Award at the 44th Golden Camera Awards (2024), the Newcomer Award in the Film category at the 2025 Korea Arts & Culture Awards, and the Bronze Cinematography Award at the 45th Golden Camera Awards (2025).