In this blog post, I’ll summarize my academic efforts and school activities during high school, examples of my acts of consideration, sharing, and cooperation, and my career preparation process as a student with special talents in the arts and athletics.
Academic Experiences and Reflections
After receiving a lower-than-expected score on my first English exam of the first semester, I focused on identifying the root cause of the problem. Realizing that my biggest weakness was getting flustered easily when faced with complex or application-based questions, I set a specific goal of “achieving a Grade 2 in English” and created a study planner to manage my time effectively. I made it a rule to maintain a regular sleep and wake-up schedule to secure study time, and I consistently managed my daily routine based on the plan I had created.
At first, I had difficulty maintaining concentration, and vocabulary and idioms didn’t stick well in my mind. So, I decided to approach learning by understanding the etymology of words; I bought a vocabulary book that organized etymology, roots, and derivatives and studied systematically. By moving beyond simple memorization to understanding the structure of meaning, I could make sense of words more easily within passages. I practiced grasping the flow of difficult English reading passages by dividing them into three levels—high, medium, and low—and reading them repeatedly.
I resolved any grammatical points I truly didn’t understand by consulting with my English teacher. By applying the “mind map” technique recommended by my teacher to systematically associate what I had learned, I was able to understand even long and complex reading passages much more quickly. I also used a timer to manage my reading time and read passages in short bursts during lunch breaks and other free moments to fill in gaps in my grammar, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions.
I made notes on anything I didn’t understand and tried to solve problems on my own, spending late nights in the study hall reviewing the material repeatedly. Thanks to this self-directed learning and step-by-step approach, I was able to raise my English grade from a 4 to a 2. Through this experience, I learned an important lesson: rather than trying to be perfect from the start, I can overcome any challenge by analyzing the problem, breaking it down into small steps, and persevering with patience and effort.
Major School Activities and Reflections
Aspiring to become a film director, I actively sought out and participated in various opportunities to learn about video production offered by my school. Fortunately, my school was a specialized high school focused on video production, so I was able to take major-specific courses. Through classes in After Effects and application development, I realized that design and visual effects form the foundation of video production. Through these course experiences, I recognized the importance of visual design and digital media design in video production, and to learn more deeply, I taught myself Photoshop and Illustrator.
Through courses in media and video theory and practice, as well as video production, I gained experience with various production processes and deepened my understanding of directing and production. In particular, while researching the topic of “Video Design” for a school marketing class, I learned how significantly design elements influence video direction and marketing, and I came to believe that visually appealing design can maximize a video’s emotional impact and creativity. By building this practical foundation, I laid the groundwork for my career as a video director and producer.
Another meaningful activity I undertook was a campaign to change public perception of independent films. Distressed by the common misconception that independent films are “cheap and boring,” I designed a survey to gauge the perceptions of 100 of my school friends toward independent films. The results confirmed that many of my friends found independent films boring. To address this, I selected five independent films that I personally enjoyed, compiled their most memorable scenes and quotes, and created a scrapbook.
When I produced a poster promoting independent films alongside that scrapbook and displayed it in the self-organized exhibition space in the school cafeteria hallway, my friends’ reactions changed. After the exhibition, I became known at school as an avid fan of independent films, and the films I introduced even became a hot topic among my friends. Through this activity, I gained confidence in the joy of sharing my interests with others and in the fact that even small efforts can bring about a change in the perceptions of those around me.
Examples of Consideration, Sharing, and Cooperation, and My Reflections
While serving as the head of the volunteer club at school, I made various efforts to increase my classmates’ participation in volunteer activities. Our school’s regular volunteer activities included gardening and visits to local social welfare facilities; wanting a different experience, I participated in gardening activities that involved cleaning up the area near the school and planting plants. Since gardening is not something one can do alone, cooperation was essential as we worked together with several friends to dig the ground, carry soil, and plant seedlings.
I bought my favorite tulip seedlings and planted them in a prominent spot in the flower bed. As the single tulip I had initially planted grew into a collection of different colors, I could see from a distance how the atmosphere around us became brighter. Although it required physical labor, being with my friends made it not only easy but actually enjoyable. Through gardening, we experienced a sense of responsibility for caring for our shared space, and we felt a great sense of fulfillment because the results of our cooperation were immediately visible.
I also brought my own Polaroid camera to capture memories of our gardening experience, taking photos of us working together and sharing the printed photos with my friends. Seeing my friends’ faces beaming alongside the flowers made me realize once again the value of communication and cooperation, and I learned that when many people join forces to create a single outcome, the process itself becomes even more meaningful. This experience has become a valuable asset that will help me maintain an attitude of consideration, sharing, and cooperation within the community moving forward.
Efforts and Preparation Related to Motivation for Application and Career Plans
I applied to the Directing and Production track in the Department of Film and Arts at Sejong University because I believed my goal of widely promoting the value of independent film aligns well with the university’s educational resources. After enrollment, I plan to systematically learn the fundamentals of directing and production while acquiring a balanced understanding of the aesthetics and techniques of filmmaking. In particular, I aim to create works that offer meaning and emotional resonance to audiences by interpreting social issues from a fresh perspective through the lens of directing.
For my future career, I intend to build my career as a director and producer of domestic independent films, playing a role in promoting the excellence of independent cinema. Through my education and practical training at the university, I intend to develop my planning, directing, and production management skills. By combining my experience with various media and my design sensibilities, I aim to produce independent films that resonate more deeply with audiences. My goal is to become a director who promotes the wider acceptance of independent film and conveys the intrinsic value of these works to a broader audience.
