Moon Ji-won (, born 1982) is a South Korean film director and scriptwriter. Moon made her debut as a director in 2002 by directing short film Keeping The Sea. She is also a respected columnist who publishes drama critiques from the perspective of a viewer in a sports magazine. Her notable work as scripwriter are film Innocent Witness and television drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
Early years and education
Moon Ji-won was born in Incheon in 1982. She dreamed of becoming a film director during her middle school years. Despite her reluctance, she enrolled in high school due to her mother's persuasion. She dedicated herself to her studies, formed a band, and actively participated in various activities. Although she faced academic setbacks, she gradually improved her grades. However, the school's early mornings and late dismissals, lack of independent thinking, and rigid structure made her lose interest. Unable to continue attending a school she had no passion for, she withdrew in her second year of high school. She said,I wanted to become a film director when I was in the 9th grade. I decided that finding my desired path was better than going to college. That's why I quit high school.Four months leaving her previous school, Moon attended Haja Center, an alternative workshop-based school. Attending the center, provided her with the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and develop a more adaptable personality. Moon studied visual arts at the center, directing short films and video projects. Her 21-minute short film, "Keeping the Sea," was screened at prestigious domestic film festivals such as the Jeonju International Film Festival.
In 2002, after confincing her Mother, Moon managed became fully financially independent, working at an English academy to support herself. Pursuing her passion for filmmaking, she dedicated four days a week to shooting her 30-minute short film titled "Helmet." Her remarkable work on "Helmet" led to her receiving the prestigious the Best New Director Award, the IF Award, at the 2005 Seoul International Women's Film Festival. Her graduation video from the Department of Visual Arts at Haja Vocational School in December 2003 provides a glimpse into her transformative experience at the school.
Career
Early career
In 2003, Moon worked as an instructor on a cable TV program dedicated to providing advice for teenagers. In addition, she also worked as a columnist. From 2003 to 2006, she was in charge of "Reading Dramas with the 21-Year-Old One", a series of drama critiques written from the perspective of a South Korean woman in her twenties. This column was serialized in national daily newspaper, Ilgan Sports. The series, which she wrote for over three years, was scheduled to be published as a book in early 2007."I thought there should be a framework dedicated to dramas. It was a good opportunity to think about how to express films while watching dramas."On August 25, 2006, her third independent film, "Stars Beyond the Window" was broadcast on KBS's "Independent Cinema". The story follows the road trip of Won and Sae-na, two protagonists in their 20s, as they embark on a journey driven by a desire to "live long" and explore the histories of women who rebelled against patriarchal society. The film captures the genuine concerns of young adults and adopts the format of a road movie."Movies are a microphone through which I can clearly convey the stories I want to tell. 'Helmet,' 'Holding onto the Sea,' 'Stars Beyond the Window,' and others are films I made on the themes of concerns faced by people of my age."