Meet Jin-hyuk Suk | Film Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jin-hyuk Suk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jin-hyuk, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe understanding the classics and lineage of genres is a crucial asset of mine. A work that doesn’t explore previous pieces in its genre often ends up as a deteriorated version of what has already been done. I believe that only after apprehending the vocabulary and respecting its history can one execute something interesting.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The reason I manage my day with an engaged mind and curiosity is that there’s still an expansive uncharted realm in film and art that I’m unfamiliar with. Each time I come to know new forms of experimentation and aesthetically pioneering contemporary discussions, I can only have a sense of humility. I assume the role of a disciple in the temple of cinema, compelling myself to redefine my understanding of film. I believe this mindset has equipped me with a relatively diverse comprehension of the medium and a wide range of sensibilities. These help me to dive into the core when engaging in conversations with people seeking my advice.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Aside from school, the place I regularly visit the most is the American Cinematheque. They curate dazzling programs showcasing films from different eras and countries, and host premieres of new releases. They often organize retrospectives of various cineastes including in-person tributes and conversations. (So far, I’ve met James Cameron, Guillermo del Toro, Béla Tarr, and Nuri Bilge Ceylan, from commercial film to slow cinema directors!) They have theaters in Los Feliz and Santa Monica, and they just reopened the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. I’d like to watch a film with my cherished people at one of these theatres where a significant portion of my time in LA is dedicated.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Generally, the ‘creative’ credits associated with the post-production in the filmmaking process often receive limited recognition. Many tend to view it primarily as ‘finishing’ work aimed at improving the film from a utilitarian perspective. However, a film is written three times: during the screenwriting stage, on the production set, and ultimately in the post-production. Since my time at AFI, I’ve had the privilege of participating in lots of masterclasses with accomplished film editors from the industry. Paul Hirsch, an editor and lifelong collaborator of Brian De Palma, once discussed the concept of ‘interpretative artist’ in his masterclass. He drew a parallel between film editors and pianists. Just as pianists may not compose the music but dissect the composer’s intention and interpret it in their own way to bring it to life, film editors are in charge of a similar role. We are tasked with grasping the writer’s intent and the director’s creative choices and translating them into reality. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep respect for editors who labor diligently in confined spaces, collaborating with directors (physically) closely to finesse the contributions of numerous talented individuals.

Instagram: @records_jin