Meet Min Kyung Cho | 2D Animator & Storyboard Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Min Kyung Cho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Min Kyung, why did you pursue a creative career?
Like most people who grew up exposed to many works of art, I was also fascinated by art, which is ‘Animation’ from a very young age. In the 90s, South Korea’s cartoon broadcasts were mostly composed of various Japanese animations, Disney, and Cartoon Network. I grew up with these and had always enjoyed watching them in front of the TV. It naturally made me think “I also want to make that” and that is when I started art. In my undergraduate, I majored in art as I wanted to take the field seriously. I became more envious of animation in the sense that it conveyed content through stories and characters in a more holistic way, not just still drawings. Like movies, animation also conveys the directors’ views and the world through characters and environments. This allows me, as an artist, to communicate to the world about what I think, who I am, and why I express it the way I do. There are many different professions in the world, but I believe that artists are people who have the ability to better express emotions or incidents that many people have been feeling implicitly. I understand that I can participate in the outside world more actively than others and exert a variety of influences. I enjoy seeing many audiences empathize through animation in a meaningful way, and it makes me passionate which helps me grow into a better, more professional person.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been working as a 2D Animator and Storyboard Artist in Atlanta since graduating with an MFA in Animation from SCAD Atlanta in 2021 and a BFA in Painting from Ewha Womans University in 2017. I usually work on storyboard and 2D animation at Slothique and BWA studio for a series of social media videos, medical explainers, documentaries, experimental animation projects, and unannounced projects for a top streaming network. I also had notable work experience at Trioscope Studios as a Production Assistant and Storyboard Artist for a feature hybrid film. I am also currently working at the ASIFA-south team which is a non-profit organization for the International Animated Film Association as an onboarding coordinator.

To be a 2D animator, I started studying fundamental painting at the age of 13, and adding up to almost 15 years of formal art studies. I am most excited about drawing animated characters and the worlds that they interact within. During my master’s thesis and project, I took on the roles of director and lead animator for my film “The Unknown”. I put my idea about a critical view of surveillance and censorship in society. As someone who is generally interested in what happens in society and people’s behavioral psychology, I thought deeply about how accurate the information obtained from the environment is given to us and by whom it was given. I still want to create works that can influence people who empathize with social issues that are encountered in reality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, I want to show my friends around Piedmont Park, the Belt Line, and Ponce City Market located in Midtown Atlanta since they can see all of Midtown Atlanta from a quiet space. If they get the chance, riding a scooter and walking there together would be better idea. And if it’s winter, I’d like to take them to the lighting festival at the Botanical Garden. The amazing colorful lights, music, and various lighting decorations will definitely make my friends feel amazed and want to take photos. Also, since I am Korean, I would like to introduce my friends who are interested in Asian culture to places where they can eat various exotic foods. This would be in places such as Buford Highway or Duluth Koreatown where there are options such as Korean BBQ, hot pot, and numerous Korean bakery cafes.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to talk about ASIFA-south (International Animated Film Association), where I am currently a committee member of the operations team. ASIFA-south is an Animation Organization in South Eastern US that unites the animation community locally and globally along with promoting artists and art through communication and collaboration. ASIFA-south creates a place where people interested in animation can gather and communicate through workshops and various activities as well as share useful information. Through event mixers and workshops held in Atlanta every month, artists can get advice and lessons from people already working in the field. This provides an opportunity to build a network with many people.
Among them, I had the opportunity to work with Marisa Ginger Tontaveetong, who was in the executive director position at ASIFA-south for 10 years, working on several animation projects and management at various studios. In addition, she also regularly attends juries, panels, and screenings for animation-related events. I had the opportunity to learn a lot directly from her because of my interactions and exposure to her work. She taught me various practical experiences and management on what an artist should be aware of, such as contracts, attitudes, and financial management. Her guidance and support are that of a mentor as she helps me learn and experience the art world in action. What I respect most is that she tries to help incubator artists grow. She helps them explore the field by bringing exposure to working environments and providing them with direct experience and information.

Website: https://www.miiinky.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minkycho22/

Other: Email: minkycho22@gmail.com

Image Credits
Min Kyung Cho (myself)