Meet Byung Gun Park | Artist & Animator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Byung Gun Park and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Byung Gun, how do you think about risk?
My life motto is “Do what your guts say”. When I was a junior at college, I was behind at work and got burned out. I talked to my mother, and she suggested I take a gap year break. I refused for many reasons. First, I was an international student so taking a gap year requires me to reissue my Visa and prepare all the paperwork again, the school said there’s a possibility that I cannot be readmitted to the school. Also, I didn’t want to leave my professor and I wanted to learn from him. The professor was very popular there was no guarantee that I can meet him again once I am back.

However, I was burned out both physically and mentally, so I really wanted a break. I asked around and everyone agreed to not take a break considering the efficiency. One of my friends said, “Do what your guts say”. This is the first time I learned that expression. However, I still didn’t want to take the risk to prepare for readmission and re-registering the class. And finally, I talked to my professor about taking a break and highly encouraged me to take a break. “You are behind now, and your current project will end up being of mediocre quality at this pace”. I was frustrated with that word and did not know what to do. Then, he said, “I believe you have a talent, and I have no doubts that you will become an animator”. This changed everything. All my thoughts got clear and simplified. Efficiency or taking risks wouldn’t matter. What I want to do is take a rest and study what I am not behind with. That is what my guts said.

I decided to take a break, taking all the required steps. I flew back to South Korea (my hometown), taking enough rest. Then I planned out what to do in specific. During the gap year, I have accomplished a lot of things and that is when my foundation got solid which even helps today. I successfully returned to school and registered with the professor and we worked together again, without getting behind anymore. Since then, I always ask myself whenever risk-taking moments happen to me, “What do my guts say”?

The word “guts” has become my thesis idea and I created a short animated film “Guts” as a thesis project.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My specialty as an artist is that I am very honest and I do not allow my works to look unnatural. I work on my animation and see how everything flows. If anything feels awkward, I get to be stubborn to fix that until it looks natural to my eyes. Most likely, what I feel natural has others also feel natural on it. Anything I feel unnatural, which is awkward or distracting, I do not move on but stay until I check the box. I think that is very fundamental that identifies myself and my work. The audiences seem to read my intentions and I can get to where I am today. Nothing has been easy. Every new project I get assigned, they were always what I have never done before. I had to push myself to get out of my comfort zone. To overcome the challenges, I always made research and asked for help and feedback from my coworkers, mentors, and supervisors. They give me a bunch of ideas and solutions for me, but at first, I could not understand them because they were different than my original ideas. However, when I address their notes and look back, I could finally see why they suggest those feedback. After the communication, I always learn that I was blind to certain knowledge and it feels like I unlock a hidden door that expands my perspective.
I want to let the world know about my art and I want them to empathize and communicate with it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend visits, I would take him where I enjoy it most. My favorite restaurants and touring attractions, and my favorite walking places. I want to share my memory with them so I can guide him more specific and that will become his memory as well, and he can possibly share it with his friends in the future. And I can also hear opinions on that and I apply for myself to learn his perspective better.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My college professor, Paul Downs, has taught me the core lessons and mindset as an animator. I am still applying what I learned from him even now. He trusted me while I was clumsy and struggled as a beginner, and he encouraged me whenever I wanted to give up. Without him, I would not exist today as an animator. Even if I become a senior animator, I would still consider him as my life mentor.

Website: https://www.dannymation.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/park-danny-byung-gun-3a1407156/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011408349595

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdAtlPYoSIk&t=25s