^ Poem Visualization Project - While I Was Waiting for You by Hwang Ji-wu (너를 기다리는 동안, 황지우), 2018.

Directed, filmed, edited, color graded by me. Shoot with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera, Mir-11M 12.5mm f.2.2, edited in Davinci Resolve.

This was a project for my Korean literature class when I was in 9th grade of high school. We were given several poem options, and my group chose "While I was Waiting for You" by Hwang Ji-wu. With nothing planned or prepared, we decided to climb the mountain in our neighborhood for filming. We even recorded the voiceover in the woods.

At the time, I was really into listening to Bon Iver, so I used my favorite song of his, "Holocene".

Following is English Translation, as well as original written in Korean:

네가 오기로 한 그 자리에
내가 미리 가 너를 기다리는 동안
다가오는 모든 발자국은
내 가슴에 쿵쿵거린다
바스락거리는 나뭇잎 하나도 다 내게 온다
기다려본 적이 있는 사람은 안다
세상에서 기다리는 일처럼 가슴 애리는 일 있을까

At the place where you’re to come,
I arrived earlier and was waiting for you.
All the steps approaching me
Make my heart thump.
A little leaf flies briskly to me.
Those who once waited for someone understand
What on earth heartbeating moment while awaiting someone!   

네가 오기로 한 그 자리, 내가 미리 와 있는 이곳에서
문을 열고 들어오는 모든 사람이
너였다가
너였다가, 너일 것이었다가
다시 문이 닫힌다

At the place where you're to come and I arrived earlier,
Everybody who opens the door and comes in
Might be you,
No, it was you but will be you.
Again the door is closed.

사랑하는 이여
오지 않는 너를 기다리며
마침내 나는 너에게 간다
아주 먼 데서 나는 너에게 가고
아주 오랜 세월을 다하여 너는 지금 오고 있다
아주 먼 데서 지금도 천천히 오고 있는 너를
너를 기다리는 동안 나도 가고 있다
남들이 열고 들어오는 문을 통해
내 가슴에 쿵쿵거리는 모든 발자국 따라
너를 기다리는 동안 나는 너에게 가고 있다

Oh, my Love,
As I was waiting for you who wouldn't appear,
Finally, I come to you.
From a distance, I come to you.
Exhausting long time, you've come to me.
Tho' you're coming slowly from far away,
While I was waiting for you, I'm coming to you.
Through the door which others open and come in,
I follow all the steps approaching me with heartbeat.
While I was waiting for you, I'm coming to you.