Meet Soyeon Jenn Park | Scenic & Production Designer

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

Hi Soyeon Jenn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’d say there were a bunch of factors that led me to a creative career, and honestly, this is a topic I could go on about all day, hehe. Looking back on my life journey, I think I was naturally exposed to the arts from a young age, thanks to my parents. Both of them were deeply into all kinds of art, and they would often take me to galleries to check out new exhibitions every two weeks, to musicals, and play old classic films at home. They even let me travel abroad with friends, without them! All those experiences helped shape the way I think, encouraging me to think outside the box and stay true to my own values. They also helped me break out of some of the stereotypical mindsets I used to have. And well… I ended up becoming an artist! (Shoutout to my parents. I’m really grateful they’ve always supported me without a doubt.)

Ever since stepping into the creative world, I won’t pretend there haven’t been challenges. But to be honest, I’m the kind of person who learns from failure and mistakes. I like finding points to revise and improve, both as a person and as an artist. What I love most about being an artist is the freedom to express myself and the things I care about in my own way, without having to hesitate or constantly consider what others might think. Of course, in a professional setting, there are times when you need to take feedback and adapt, but that doesn’t take away the joy of creating something that’s completely me. That freedom is the best part of being an artist, and I absolutely plan to stick with this path in the future. No regrets at all! I’m all in.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My biggest strength lies in my willingness to experiment across various mediums and fields, basically, anything I can challenge myself with. Before I started working professionally, I explored all kinds of ways to make and express art: installation pieces, short films, motion graphics, 3D objects, even painting. Maybe it’s because I’m the kind of person who can’t stay locked into just one thing for too long… but that exploration really broadened my perspective and helped me figure out where I truly want to invest my passion. And guess what? I’m still in the middle of that experimental journey!

Once I began my professional career, things shifted a bit. I definitely don’t have as much free time to focus on personal projects anymore, since most of my weekdays are taken up by work. It hasn’t been easy adjusting, this is my first real step into the industry, but I’m learning a lot. Thanks to the people around me who’ve supported and guided me, I feel like I’m steadily growing. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far is that everything comes down to clear communication. It’s something I remind myself of every single day at work.

Even though I haven’t fully “branded” myself as a professional artist yet, I’d say my ultimate goal is to be someone who can clearly convey a message through my work. I’d be truly honored if even just a few people felt drawn to what I create, enough to keep following along. If something I made could leave a lasting impression or inspire someone else, whether as a human being or as an artist, that would mean everything to me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Thanks for asking this, because I’ve actually got a full-course routine ready for when my tourist friends visit! My go-to plan starts with (of course!) brunch at a restaurant called Sqirl. They have the best ricotta jam toast and shakshuka. Seriously, it’s the perfect way to kick off the day. Once everyone’s full and happy, it’s time for a bit of culture. I usually take them to the Getty Center to check out the current exhibitions. We spend most of the afternoon there, just chilling, soaking up the art, and the sunshine.

After that, without fail, someone will start complaining about how hungry they are, so we move on to dinner. Depending on their food preferences, I usually recommend either Kodo or Ronan. Kodo has some of the best fusion Japanese dishes in LA, and Ronan serves incredible pizza. (No offense to the rest of LA, this is just my personal opinion!) If we go to Ronan, I always get the Sweet Chicks pizza. You can add figs on top, and it’s honestly a game-changer. My mouth is watering just writing this. OH. MY. GOD.

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?
Ok, sounds like I finally get the chance to give a huge shoutout to two people I’ve admired for a long time… Wes Anderson and Ryu Seong-hee! (Even though they have no idea I exist, I still hope this interview somehow reaches them someday :3.) They were major inspirations behind my decision to pursue scenic and production design, and honestly, they’re a big reason why I’m in this field today.

The very first time I became aware of “set design” as a career was thanks to the legendary film The Grand Budapest Hotel. I’ve been a huge cinema nerd for as long as I can remember. At first, I just watched movies for fun in my free time, purely for entertainment. But one day, as I was obsessively analyzing every little detail (because yes, I’m that kind of nerd!), I suddenly realized how much mise-en-scène shapes the mood and tone of a film. That moment sparked my obsession with production design, and from there, it all kicked off in full swing.

That’s also when designer Ryu Seong-hee quietly entered my life, haha. She’s one of the most renowned and talented production designers in the industry, and I went out of my way to watch every single film she’s worked on, even the ones from over a decade ago. I’ve also read and watched countless interviews with her, and every time I do, I’m struck by how magical it is to build an entire world from a script, then invite the audience into that world through the visuals you create. The moment I understood that, I knew I wanted to be a part of that process. Honestly, if it weren’t for Wes Anderson and Ryu Seong-hee, I might never have even considered becoming a production designer. But now I know, this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

Website: https://soyeonjenniferpark.com

Instagram: @sojenn.zip

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@1oxzzix

Image Credits
– Photo taken by me (individual project)
– Collaborative installation work with 10 different artists
– Tea house conceptualization inspired by Chunking express
– Island of Servants – Directed by Christopher Akerlind/ Production Design by me
– I exist | Short film by me <3 - Me BTS - Me BTS pt 2