Kang Hye-jung (filmmaker)

Intrigued, she paid the 300,000 won tuition fee and joined the 5th batch, embarking on a three-month journey into the world of filmmaking.

During this time, she met Ryoo Seung-wan, a former student from the 3rd batch who was now an assistant instructor at the workshop.

Their relationship evolved romantically as they collaborated on her workshop film project.

Kang sought feedback from film critic Kim Young-jin, who gave harsh criticism.

Kang responded with a determined attitude, saying, "We'll wait and see."

At that time, Ryoo Seung-wan was a promising new talent who had been developing scenarios for a decade.

Kang decided to give it a 10-year trial period and move on if it didn't succeed.

Between Kang began his journey by working part-time writing movie leaflets at Core Art Hall.

She also worked part time tutoring students, and even mentoring Ryoo Seung-bum during his middle school years.

Kang Hye-jung (born 1970) is a South Korean filmmaker and entertaintment executive.

She is CEO of film production house company Filmmaker R&K.

Kang Hye-jung was born in 1970.

Her parents had hoped she would become a teacher, so she enrolled in the Department of Home Economics Education at Korea University.

During her college years, she was an student activist.

She found the film club, 'Stone Light,' cumbersome as they constantly carried cameras for filming demonstration.

Never interested in the film club, she never imagined that she would work in the film industry.

After graduating in February 1993 and working as a teacher for a while, Kang realized that teaching was not the right path for her.

In May 1993, Kang stumbled upon a notice for a film workshop at the Independent Film Council.

In 1995, she joined a film company in Chungmuro, called "Movie Room" under CEO Joo Pil-ho and started promoting foreign movies.

She was part of the production department for Lim Jong-jae's film Kill the Love.

In 1996, She joined the film company Cinema Service during the production of Two Cops 3 where she worked closely with film producer Kim Mi-hee.

In 1996, Kang invested her own savings in director Ryoo Seung-wan's short film debut, "Transmutated Head."

At that time, she was the youngest member of the production department, while director Ryoo Seung-wan was the youngest in the directing field.

In 2000, Kang joined Good Movies Co., Ltd. led co-CEO and film producer Kim Mi-hee as the youngest member of the production department.

She started as producer by working on director Byun Young-joo's film Ardor.

Despite her lack of experience and young age, Kang was determined to learn the ropes of film production.

Producer Kim Mi-hee encouraged her to understand the field thoroughly if she wanted to become a producer.

Her initial tasks were challenging, such as picking up cigarette butts on set and managing traffic from a distance.

People even mistook her actions for dancing.

After long hours of work, she was rewarded with food and 30 cans of film to transport.

Alone on a late-night bus ride with the heavy load, Kang reflected on the hard work and dedication required to make movies, realizing the significant human effort involved in the process.

While working at the company, Kang was also involved in the marketing of director Ryoo Seung-wan's film No Blood No Tears, but she chose not to handle its promotion directly.

Kang believed it was a strategic move to delegate the promotion to someone who could offer a neutral perspective.

In 2004, she served as the producer for director Byun Young-joo's film Flying Boys.

This project marked her last work with the company.

It was established in 2005 with director Ryoo Seung-wan.

In 2005, Kang made the decision to resign from her position when she became pregnant with her third child.

In 2005, Kang and Ryoo Seung-wan used the bonus from the film Arahan as capital to establish their own film company.

Their notable work mostly directed by Ryoo Seung-wan such as Veteran (2015), The Battleship Island (2017), Escape from Mogadishu (2021) and Smugglers (2023).

As well as project from other directors such as Exit (2019), Hostage: Missing Celebrity (2021).