Animating a young scholar’s future

Home > National > Diplomacy

print dictionary print

Animating a young scholar’s future

테스트

Roberto Padilla By Ken Levinson

Roberto Padilla didn’t intend to end up in Korea.
“I originally wanted to go to Japan,” he said. In his native California, the 23-year-old animation student and Luce scholar was fascinated by Japanimation, but he didn’t have a very worldly perspective. “I’m kind of embarrassed about it, but I didn’t know that much about stuff outside my hometown before I came here,” he said. “I only heard of kimchi about a year before.”
With Japan heavily over subscribed, Padilla’s program sent him to Korea. The Henry Luce Foundation sends 18 students annually to live and work in Asia to “increase awareness of Asia among future leaders in American society,” according to the foundation Web site. Working at Dongwoo Animation in Seoul, Padilla was surprised by what he learned.
“Korea does a lot [of the animation seen abroad] too, but I didn’t realize it,” said Padilla. “If they [foreign production houses] want it done really cheaply, they can go to the Philippines or China. But if they come to Korea, they can get it done excellently and at a low cost.”
Still, the influence of Japan and America followed him. “For so long, Korea has been creating animation for the U.S. and Japan, and they’re just starting to find their voice,” Padilla said.
He said the plot is the key to success. “Even one of my coworkers said, ‘In Korea we create a lot of beautiful animation, but we need stronger stories.’”
Padilla said American firms are looking to Korea. “Korea just needs one big hit, then interest will flood in. I’d love to see a great story come out of Korea in the future.”
By Richard Scott-Ashe
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)