Jo Sung Hee

Biography

Jo Sung-hee is a notable South Korean film director, born on February 3, 1979. He made a significant impact in the film industry with his 2012 box-office hit A Werewolf Boy (늑대소년), a fantasy romance that became the most successful Korean melodrama of all time.

Career Highlights:

Early Career and Education: Jo initially studied industrial design at Seoul National University before working in music videos and children's animation, where he gained experience as an assistant director at companies like Seo Taiji Company and Olive Studio. He later pursued film directing at the prestigious Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA).

Short Film Success: His 2008 short film Don't Step Out of the House (남매의 집) gained recognition at several international film festivals, including winning Best Picture at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, and receiving awards at the Jeonju International Film Festival and Cannes.

Feature Film Debut: In 2010, Jo made his feature debut with End of Animal (짐승의 끝), a mix of horror, mystery, and apocalyptic elements. While the film drew critical acclaim, it was his next project that brought him mainstream success.

Breakthrough with A Werewolf Boy: A Werewolf Boy marked a departure from Jo's previous dark and complex films, presenting a romantic fantasy set in the 1960s. The film's success was monumental, becoming the third-best-selling Korean film of 2012 and earning Jo numerous accolades, including the 2013 Discovery Award from the Korea Film Reporters Association and the Best New Director award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Recent Work and Jury Role: In 2021, Jo was selected as a jury member for the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, showing his ongoing influence in the Korean film industry.

Jo Sung-hee is recognized for his ability to blend whimsical storytelling with emotional depth, making films that resonate with a wide audience while retaining his distinctive artistic voice.