Kim Young-ho

Kim Young-ho (; born 1970) is a South Korean cinematographer. Kim's filmography spans a wide variety of genres, including epic period drama, comedy, science fiction, and contemporary drama. Kim pioneered the use of advanced filming techniques using Hollywood filming equipment to create stylish images that are hard to see in Korean films at that time.

Kim has collaborated with numerous well-known and acclaimed filmmakers, including Kim Sung-su, Kang Je-gyu, and Kim Yong-hwa. Kim is a frequent collaborator of director Park Hoon-jung, having worked together on numerous projects including the films The Showdown (2011), V.I.P. (2017), The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018), Night in Paradise (2021), The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (2022), as well as Park's first OTT drama series The Tyrant (2024).

His best-known works include Kang Je-gyu's film Tidal Wave (2009), Won Shin-yun's film The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019).

Career

1996 to 2001: Early career, study in San Francisco After graduating from the Department of Photography at Chung-Ang University, Kim began work on his first film in 1996 as a camera operator. Kim worked as a camera crew in films such as, Im Sang-soo's film Girls' Night Out, Min Byeong-cheon's film Phantom, the Submarine (1999) and Kim Sung-su's film Musa (2000). Despite having the opportunity to debut as a cinematographer, he chose to study at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. This bold decision, proved to be the foundation for his career. Studying abroad exposed him to the latest filming equipment in Hollywood and advanced filming techniques. He continued to hone his craft through projects like Father and Son: The Story of Mencius (2004, Kim Ji-young), Mr. Gam's Victory, and Hello, Brother. The film explores the concept of souls awaiting reincarnation for 49 days. Kim's expertise in CG and color correction in post-production was showcased in this project.

Kim met lighting director Yang Woo-sang when he was working on Beat and have been working with him ever since. Mr. Gam's Victory, Hello, Brother, The Restless, and A Good Day to Have an Affair. His work in A Good Day to Have an Affair (2007, Jang Moon-il), and Harmony (2009, Kang Dae-gyu) further solidified his reputation as a leader in the industry.

Kim collaborated with director Yoon Je-kyun for the film Quick. Yoon Je-kyun served as producer and co-directed with Jo Bum-goo and producer Yoon Je-kyun. Kim, along with special effects director Hong Jang-pyo, worked on the action scenes in Quick, including creating high-speed video sequences at 300 km/h. The film's highway speed, chain collision, and explosion scenes were praised for pushing the boundaries of Korean cinema.

Kim joined Director Cho Bum-goo' 2011 film Quick. He worked with special effects director Hong Jang-pyo.

Kim joined Director Oh Ki-hwan's Korean-Chinese co-production "The Breakup Contract" (分手合约), which was released in China on April 12, 2013. The team included lighting director Hwang Soon-wook, music director Lee Ji-soo, and editor Shin Min-kyung. Malaysian Jeffrey Kong served as the art director.

In 2014, his film The Pirates was released. He collaborated with Director Lee Seok-hoon, scriptwriter Cheon Seong-il, martial arts director Ko Hyun-woong, art director Kim Ji-ah, costume designer Kwon Yoo-jin, VFX supervisor Kang Jong-ik, and music director Hwang Sang-joon, all of whom are top production staff members in the Korean film industry.

In 2014, Kim and Choi Young-hwan participated in the 3rd 'Korean Director Showcase' in Beijing, China, organized by The Korean Film Council. The event aimed to promote Korean directors, cinematographers, and screenwriters in the Chinese film market and enhance Korea-China co-productions following a co-production agreement. Selected participants were highly recognized in China and chosen through a survey by major local production investment companies. During the event, they visited the China Film Business Center, a planning and development support center for Korea-China joint production films, and the Korea Film Council's 'China Film Business Center' to share information for Korean filmmakers and their entry into the Chinese market.

My Sister, the Pig Lady (2015).

Kim is a frequent collaborator of director Park Hoon-jung. He worked on Park's directorial debut "The Showdown" (2010), where he collaborated with costume designer Jeong Kyeong-hee and editor Shin Min-kyung. He also worked on "VIP," where he collaborated with art director Cho Hwa-seong, costume director Cho Sang-gyeong, and makeup director Kwon Soo-gyeong. Kim was part of director Park Hoon-jung's "The Witch" franchise, working on "The Witch 1" with art director Cho Hwa-seong, costume director Cho Sang-kyung, martial arts directors Park Jung-ryul and Kim Jung-min, and music director Mowg. In "The Witch 2," he worked with art director Cho Hwa-seong, art director Choi Hyun-seok, music director Mowg, and action director Kim Jung-min. Kim also collaborated on Park Hoon-jung's "Night in Paradise" with art director Cho Hwa-seong. He joined Park's first OTT drama "Tyrant" (2024).

His best-known works include Won Shin-yun's film The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019), where he also worked with Art Director Lee Jong-geon and Martial Arts Director Kim Min-soo.

In 2024, Kim served as panel in Conjinwon-Netflix, Production Academy Program Operations.

Filmography Feature films

Web series +Web series credit Year TitleCredited as English Korean Director DoP DoP Team 2022 Bargain 몸값 Jeon Woo-sung 2024 The Tyrant 폭군 Park Hoon-jung

Accolades Awards and nominations

Listicles +Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placementPublisherYearListiclePlacementKorean Cinematographers Guild 201821 Cinematographers with excellent cinematographyPlaced