‘12.12: The Day’ Director Kim Sung-soo Says AI ‘Shows What’s in Your Imagination’

At the recent Asian Contents & Film Market held during the Busan International Film Festival, director Kim Sung-soo of the Korean hit film "12.12: The Day" shared his evolving perspective on artificial intelligence in cinema. Once skeptical and viewing AI as a potential threat to the film industry, Kim now regards it as an essential tool that expands creative possibilities.

Kim recounted a pivotal experience with his short film "Worm Train," an eight-minute project featuring a complex scene involving a giant insect colliding with a crowded train. Initially, AI technology was unable to convincingly render this critical sequence, leading Kim to abandon the attempt. However, as AI capabilities rapidly advanced over several months, he revisited the project and successfully incorporated AI-generated elements. This shift marked a turning point, prompting Kim to adopt AI as a complement to traditional filmmaking rather than a replacement.

The director emphasized that AI facilitates the visualization of imaginative concepts that might otherwise remain unrealized, underscoring that the technology serves to amplify creativity rather than supplant human input. His approach involves blending AI-generated content with conventional techniques, a strategy he employed with a nine-member team on "Worm Train," including specialists in animation and music. While the short could have been fully produced using AI, Kim chose a hybrid method to maintain artistic control and tangible production qualities.

Building on this innovation, Kim is developing a seven-part drama series featuring a demanding opening chase scene set on the Gyeongin Expressway. He plans to initially generate the sequence through AI, which will guide decisions on which segments require live actors and where traditional visual effects should be applied. This strategy aims to optimize budget allocation and creative resources for complex scenes that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.

During the same Busan panel, other industry figures corroborated the evolving relationship between AI and filmmaking. Harry Hyun, CEO of AI production studio MooAm, discussed how the company integrates filmmakers with live-action experience into AI projects to maintain authenticity and avoid mechanical or repetitive visuals. MooAm employs roles such as "AI coordinators" to oversee continuity and ensure seamless integration between AI-generated content and traditional footage.

Chinese animation director Li Wei, co-director of "Jiang Ziya," presented a similar perspective from the animation sector. He highlighted how AI accelerates early-stage creative processes by enabling rapid visualization of concept art, which considerably shortens the time previously required for manual drawing. However, he stressed that final artistic decisions and nuanced details remain firmly under the director’s jurisdiction.

Lee Sangwook, a producer and team manager at MBC C&I’s AI Contents Lab, emphasized workforce adaptation to AI tools as a critical factor for success. His team is working on "Rendering Love," a short-form romantic comedy centered on a virtual K-pop idol group, developed in collaboration with "Parasite" producer Barunson E&A. Lee noted that uneven familiarity with AI among crew members can impact overall production quality, particularly as AI models and software are frequently updated.

Kim Sung-soo also addressed the emerging legal and ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content. He advocates for clear guidelines on commercial usage and copyright permissions before the industry develops technical standards. Kim carefully reviews AI outputs to avoid infringement on existing works or violation of publicity rights, signaling a conscientious approach to AI’s integration in filmmaking.

Looking ahead, Kim anticipates that the distinction between AI-assisted and traditional films will diminish, much like the historical transition from black-and-white to color films. He envisions a future where AI is seamlessly embedded in cinematic production workflows without special labeling.

The discussions at Busan reveal a dynamic and collaborative effort among Asian filmmakers and technologists to harness AI’s potential responsibly. While challenges remain, particularly in legal frameworks and skill development, innovators like Kim Sung-soo demonstrate that AI can enrich the storytelling palette and open new frontiers for film and animation craftsmanship.