Ryu Seong-Hee, the acclaimed production designer known for her work on the popular series "When Life Gives You Tangerines" as well as critically acclaimed films "The Handmaiden" and "Decision to Leave," served as the featured guest for this exclusive meeting with fans and industry enthusiasts.
The event began with participants watching key scenes from "When Life Gives You Tangerines," providing context for the discussion that followed. Ms. Sunju Lee, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand, opened the event by highlighting how the meticulous attention to production design has significantly contributed to the global success of Korean films and television series. She then introduced Production Designer Ryu Seong-Hee to the eager audience.
During her presentation, Ryu Seong-Hee shared comprehensive insights about the evolving role of production designers in modern filmmaking. She explained that as film-making techniques, particularly computer graphics (CG), have become more sophisticated, the role of the production designer has become increasingly crucial. "The production designer is the one who creates the emotion and atmosphere for films and series," she explained, emphasizing how this responsibility has grown in importance with technological advances.
To illustrate her point, Ryu Seong-Hee provided detailed examples from "When Life Gives You Tangerines," focusing on the main character Ae-soon. She explained how the production design served as a visual narrative tool throughout the series. "Ae-soon is a young woman who faces numerous hardships while growing up," Ryu noted. "Throughout the series, we deliberately designed the background atmosphere at Ae-soon's home to gradually brighten, reflecting her personal growth and changing circumstances."
The production designer also shared specific symbolic elements from the series, including the significance of the milky way patterned wall in the hotel scenes. "This particular design element symbolizes the spring, or flourishing period, for the couple Ae-soon and Gwan-sik," she explained, demonstrating how every visual detail serves a narrative purpose.
Ryu Seong-Hee expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Thai fans, noting her satisfaction that the dedication and sincerity of production designers could reach international audiences through "When Life Gives You Tangerines," a series that portrayed the everyday lives of ordinary people. She emphasized how meaningful it was to see that the careful attention to visual storytelling resonated with viewers across cultural boundaries.
The event attracted more than 150 enthusiastic participants who actively engaged during the question-and-answer session. The audience submitted numerous questions covering a wide range of topics, including inquiries about working with renowned director Park Chan-wook and practical aspects of being an art director. The lively atmosphere reflected the genuine interest and curiosity of attendees about the behind-the-scenes aspects of Korean productions.
Ms. Sunju Lee, the director of the Korean Cultural Center, concluded the event by expressing her appreciation for the overwhelming response. "I can feel the love and passion from all Thai fans for Korean films and series during this event," she said. "Hopefully, this will provide an opportunity for Thai fans to understand and love Korean films even more, while gaining insight into the fascinating world of production design."
The event served as both an educational opportunity and a cultural bridge, allowing Thai audiences to gain deeper appreciation for the artistic craftsmanship that goes into creating the visual worlds of their favorite Korean entertainment content. The success of the event underscores the growing international interest in Korean creative industries and the technical expertise behind Korea's cultural exports.
