Kelvin Kyung Kun Park is an award-winning Korean-American director and producer best known for his films The Host, Thirst, and Snowpiercer. Born in Seoul, Korea on October 12, 1963, Park moved to the United States at the age of 11, where he attended high school in California before studying film at the University of Southern California.
Park’s directorial debut was in the acclaimed South Korean film Joint Security Area (2000). The film’s success led to the production of his first full-length feature, The Host (2006). The Host was a huge success, becoming the highest-grossing Korean film of all time and winning several awards, including the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2008, Park released his second feature, Thirst, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Palme d’Or. The film is a vampire horror about a Catholic priest who is transformed into a vampire. Following Thirst, Park directed the 2013 sci-fi thriller Snowpiercer, which was an international success.
In addition to his film work, Park has directed several television series, including the Korean drama series Signal (2016). He has also served as a producer on several films, including the 2018 crime drama Burning.
Park’s work has been praised for its creative visuals and compelling storytelling. He has been recognized for his ability to combine artistry with commercial appeal and has become one of the most sought-after directors in South Korea.
Park is currently working on his next project, a supernatural thriller about a woman’s search for her missing husband. He remains one of the most influential filmmakers in South Korea and is a leader in the global film industry.
