From a young age, I was drawn to storytelling. My parents told me I loved performing as a kid, though what I really remember is falling in love with movies and television. Growing up in the ’80s with shelves of VHS tapes, I spent countless Friday nights at the video store, walking through the aisles, picking up boxes, and reading the synopses. If there’s one thing I’ve always been certain of, it’s that I loved watching movies and how it made me feel.

I wanted to act, but without guidance or resources, it felt impossible to pursue. My parents, like many Asian parents, weren’t eager to encourage such an uncertain path—but even if they didn’t fully understand, they always supported me. I turned to music instead, directing my love for writing into rhymes and forming a hip-hop group with close friends. That feels like another life time ago.

After serving ten years in the U.S. Army, I used my military benefits to study film, eventually earning my MFA in Film Production with an emphasis in Editing from Chapman University. There, I had the privilege of studying under Professor Paul Seydor, whose decades of experience shaped my understanding of editing and storytelling. He taught me that a movie is made in the edit—everything before that is simply gathering enough good material to create meaning.

Collaboration has defined my filmmaking journey. Ironically, most of the people I’ve consistently worked with didn’t come from film school. Some had never been, but their passion for filmmaking and commitment to learning made them invaluable. What started as a three-person crew has grown into a close-knit creative community. Together, we’ve tackled projects with little to no budgets, often wearing multiple hats, and discovered that limited resources can become our greatest strength. Constraints pushed us to think outside the box, refine our approach, and embrace creativity in every detail.

Over the past few years, I’ve written, directed, and edited five short films, each exploring a different genre. Daebu (Godfather) was my take on a crime drama, What Do You Want?! leaned into comedy, Viral pushed me into thriller territory, Home explored memory and family through drama, and Cindy became my dive into dark comedy. Each project felt like starting over again, but that was the point—to step outside any comfort zone and keep learning. Along the way, these films have been selected by festivals and garnered awards. While recognition at festivals has been encouraging and we are beyond grateful, what matters most is the growth that comes from each new challenge.

I don’t see filmmaking as a career ladder to climb; I see it as a process to embrace. If you’ve ever worked a production in some fashion, you know how hard it is to see it through. Not only is it hard it’s almost a miracle to come out the other side with something good. I’ve never considered myself naturally gifted or talented, but I’ve always been willing to work harder than anyone else in the room. That persistence, combined with the dedication of my team, is what keeps me moving forward. Seeing our progress together has been the most rewarding part of this journey. At the end of the day, I’m just a big kid getting to play pretend with cool toys and it’s a gift to have that opportunity.

Outside of film, I’m a husband and father of four. Life is full, messy, and complicated—exactly the way it should be. No matter where this path leads, I’m grateful that I get to do something many only dream of—and that I get to do it alongside people I deeply admire.