Guns in Paradise is a South Korea–set short film that blends fantasy, action, and romance through a metafictional lens. Trapped in routine, a DVD store clerk imagines a violent, passionate love story between two doomed assassins — unaware that the fantasy she’s creating might hold the key to rewriting her own life.
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
In my recent projects, I’ve been deeply hands-on, taking on nearly every imaginable role within the filmmaking process. Over time, I’ve worn almost every hat—except one: set design. That gap stayed with me. Wanting to push myself further and expand my visual language, I decided to build a set for the first time.
This wasn’t just about learning a new skill. It was about deepening the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the years and becoming a more complete filmmaker. While I don’t intend to keep doing everything myself forever—I’m very aware that this approach isn’t sustainable long-term—I do believe strongly in understanding every department at a fundamental level. That understanding is what allows meaningful collaboration. When I work with seasoned professionals in the future, I want to communicate my vision clearly, elevate their strengths, and create work that feels unified rather than fragmented.
That creative momentum was amplified when I acquired a dream camera: the Canon C700 shooting RAW. I’ve been a Canon user my entire life, and finding an affordable C700 at auction felt like a sign—fuel added to an already growing desire to create something ambitious and uncompromising in quality.
At its core, this project is a love letter to cinema itself. It reflects my personal relationship with movies—the inspiration they’ve given me, the hope they still represent, and the quiet sadness I feel about the current state of the medium. It’s both a tribute and a reckoning, born out of admiration, concern, and an enduring need to create.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
This project took two years to make. In general, my short films come together in about two months, featurettes take closer to two years, and full-length features require a minimum of four years.
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