Kwang-Hyun Park

Park, born in 1969, studied visual design at Hongik University before working as a director of TV commercials. Many people remember the tagline “Don’t bet your life,” in the commercial for a popular fast-food chain. Many also remember an impressive statement made by actor Choi Min-shik in a commercial for a life insurance company. But few people know who created these commercials. Not many are aware that Park, the director who created “Welcome to Dongmakgol,” was also the creator of those popular commercials that won the grand prizes at domestic and international commercial competitions.

Park’s commercials are simple and modest, rather than glaring. He had a special talent for conveying episodes of people’s daily life through his commercials. Park, who was widely recognized for his outstanding capacity in commercial productions, made his movie-directing debut with the film “My Nike,” part of a series of three movies released in 2002 called “Don’t Ask.” “My Nike” is a story about the youngest son of a taxi driver who is struggling financially. Park demonstrated his talent for excellent storytelling that he had been cultivating on his own, with the story unfolding as the son dreams of having Nike shoes one day. He successfully narrates the story of simple people in familiar neighborhoods and their warm relations in the movie.