Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park (Aspen Institute project)
Young Park
<young.park@parkstarmedia.com>Hi Ashley and AIA team,
Hope you're having a great start in the new year!
It's been a while since we connected and just wanted to share some exciting news for potential collaboration.
I’m currently working on an animated short called Yo Zeno, which we’re producing in partnership with the Aspen Institute, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about climate change.
Yunah Chung is our writer and executive producer (she led a workshop previously for AIA) and together, we’re creating a climate-focused animated short aimed at educating kids—marking the first time the Aspen Institute has supported a project like this. The film is set to premiere in April 2025 at the Hollywood Climate Expo.
At the moment, we’re in the animatics phase and exploring VO talent options. Yunah mentioned that AIA might be interested in collaborating—either through hosting a table read or helping us identify VO talent at any level.
Our studio, Park Star Media, is proudly Asian-American led, and many of our projects focus on API characters and storytelling. Yo Zeno features all Asian characters, with a world and setting rooted in Korean and Asian culture. Because of this, we’re deeply committed to ensuring our VO talent reflects the Asian-American community in animation.
We’d love to collaborate with AIA to amplify this project and further uplift the community. If this sounds like something your team would be interested in, I’d love to discuss more!
For reference, here are a few press links about the project with the Aspen Institute:
Additionally, I’ll be presenting Yo Zeno at Kidscreen Summit next month during a panel session:
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing how we might collaborate on this exciting project.
Thanks!
Young
Hello,Thank you so much for your quick response! These will be very helpful for our graphic designer.Furthermore, thank you for sharing the links!Best,AshleyOn Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 4:30 PM Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:Hi Ashley,
Of course please see attached!
One of the photos (blue bg) is an AI photo because I recently held an AI workshop for artist students and early career creatives.
Perhaps this could be another discussion for next time but just wanted to share an article that featured the AI accelerator program we launched:
https://kidscreen.com/2023/05/15/park-star-media-wants-to-put-ai-in-creatives-hands/
As well as another article for my work on Ancho-V
https://kidscreen.com/2022/03/18/inside-park-stars-twist-on-tokusatsu/Thanks!
-Young
_______________________
https://www.parkstarmedia.com/
From: Ashley Whang
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2023 1:15 PM
To: Young Park
Cc: aia-creative-coords; Saira Umar; Rebe Chen; Josephine Ota; phoebe pang; Sena Yu
Subject: Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Hi again,
My apologies for the double email back to back! By any chance, would it be possible to get a photo of yourself/headshot as well? We'd like to include a picture of you for the title page as it is an interview post!
Thank you!
Regards,
Ashley
On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 3:38 PM Ashley Whang <ashley...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Young,
Thank you so much for the assets! I will follow up with you if there's anything else we need.
Have a great day!
Best,
Ashley
On Mon, Nov 13, 2023 at 12:31 AM Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Hi Ashley,
Got it!
Below are the assets your team could use:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1D7D4KXeS9ibqJg6XXGDQrRvITEyCFfDC?usp=sharing
Please let me know if there’s anything else you may need on our end.
Thanks!-Young
_______________________
https://www.parkstarmedia.com/
From: Ashley Whang
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2023 5:37 AM
To: Young Park
Cc: aia-creative-coords; Saira Umar; Rebe Chen; Josephine Ota; phoebe pang
Subject: Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Hi Young,
Thank you so much for your quick response!
Assets that can be used for the backgrounds of the post would be appreciated. This could be full illustrations or screen captures of any projects. Additional graphics such as transparent images of characters, logos, etc. that could be used for potential decoration would also be great, but these are less of a priority!
As for your question about current or in development, assets from any project should work, but images from Hey Yenny Han!, Super Binks, Ancho V, and Uncle Mermaid would be the most appreciated because they are content covered in the interview.
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Ashley
On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 1:22 AM Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Hi Ashley,
Sure thing! What kind of graphics would you want me to share?
And should I share assets from current series I'm working on, or just in development?
Thanks!
On Thu, Nov 9, 2023, 2:42 PM Ashley Whang <ashley...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Young,
I hope this email finds you well! My name is Ashley Whang, and I'm currently helping Rebe oversee the progress of this project.
We have a quick question! By any chance, would it be possible to receive 10-15 assets (graphics, illustrations, etc.) for our graphic designer to use?
Thank you so much! Please let me know if this is possible or if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Ashley Whang
From: Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com>
Date: July 8, 2023 at 11:04:31 AM PDT
To: Rebe Chen <rc...@c.ringling.edu>
Cc: Asians in Animation – AnimAsians <in...@asiansinanimation.org>, sena yu <Sen...@parkstarmedia.com>, Saira Umar <umar.s...@gmail.com>, alicej...@gmail.com, Eden Quan <eq...@c.ringling.edu>
Subject: RE: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Hello!
Apologies for the delay, I had been traveling back and forth to Korea for business and I realized my previous email might not have sent!
Please see my reply below- Please let me know if you need anything else on my side!· Park Star Media features many chibi characters such as the Super Binks. Were there any chibi characters that inspired you when you were growing up and how did it find its way into the development of these characters?
As a child of the 90s, I was an ardent fan of both cartoons and anime, particularly the Powerpuff Girls on Cartoon Network. The charm of these adorable yet formidable superheroes resonated with me deeply, and some of my favorite characters from my own shows always showcase unexpected heroism.
· What drew you to create young adult and kids' entertainment?
Initially, my studio was tailored towards content for teens and young adults since these were the audiences I felt most familiar with. I grew up watching all kinds of shows that both mesmerized me and shaped who I am today. Recently, fatherhood has opened a new door for me. As a father to two little girls, I’m leaning towards preschool content that conveys strong morals and values that showcases characters to which my own children can relate.
· What is one key factor in producing successful and loveable stories with award-winning IPs?
Having the best idea for a show or IP is never a guarantee to success. It's the creative team backing it that truly matters. A cohesive team that fosters creativity and respect for each other's unique creative journeys is crucial. Collaboration is key in this industry; a successful IP cannot be launched single-handedly.
Also it’s important to consider who your audience is, and then strive to create content and stories they would enjoy watching as much as you enjoying creating it for them.· It's extremely impressive to see that you created the first globally successful South Korean 2D animated series for older kids. Did you ever face any challenges while creating a whole studio from scratch, and what do you believe led to your success?
I embarked on this journey with no prior experience or connections in the animation industry. Originally, my academic background was in political science from UCLA, with a plan to pursue law. However, my passion was always for storytelling, so I left everything behind and relocated to Korea for a year to work at a colleague’s animation studio and learn everything about IP development and production. Like any endeavor in life, success lies in persistent self-belief and daily commitment to your goals. Progress may seem slow and unnoticeable, but over time, you'll be surprised by your own achievements
· [In regards to Hey Yenny Han] What is the importance of telling a culturally significant and personal story, and what does representation mean to you?
Growing up, the absence of Asian-American characters in popular kids' cartoons made it challenging for me to connect with them. I made it my goal to create a show that reflects the unique experiences of Koreans and Korean-Americans. Broadly, it's crucial to present narratives from diverse cultures and people across the world and collaborate with the right partners for global distribution. Great stories can come from anywhere and the power of showcasing diverse voices can resonate with audiences globally.
· How do you feel your studio goes about representation that feels true to your experience and that others can relate to?
We maintain authenticity in representation by promoting an open exchange of ideas and experiences within the team. We also converse with friends, families, and colleagues to identify universally relatable core concepts. It's an exciting challenge to explore the various ways our unique backgrounds and narratives interconnect, which we integrate into every new IP development.
· For your studio's new show for CTN Korea, what are you most excited about?
Unfortunately, due to the merger with Discovery, the show's progress has been paused, so I am unable to share much about it at this time.
· Who is your biggest influence and inspiration in life and how do their values find their way into your work?
Like many Asian immigrants, my parents have been significant sources of inspiration in my work. They endured strenuous circumstances and worked tirelessly to provide for my sister and me. Witnessing their commitment instilled a sense of determination in me and equipped me with the resilience to overcome any hurdles I faced. This ethos is reflected in my work, where most of my IPs feature an underdog confronting insurmountable odds. Though they may not always attain their desires, trusting oneself and following one's instincts invariably lead to outcomes that are more extraordinary.
Thanks!
-Young
_______________________
https://www.parkstarmedia.com/
From: Rebe Chen
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 1:11 PM
To: Young Park
Cc: Asians in Animation – AnimAsians; sena yu; Saira Umar; alicej...@gmail.com; Eden Quan
Subject: Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Hello Young,
I hope you've been having a great week so far! I just wanted to follow up on my last email to see if you had any updates for us. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask as well. Thank you!
Best,
Rebe Chen (she/her) • ree-bee chen
Creative Admin Assistant
Asians in Animation | in...@asiansinanimation.org
Visit us at www.asiansinanimation.org
On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 3:58 PM Rebe Chen <rc...@c.ringling.edu> wrote:
Hello Young,
I hope this email finds you well, and that you've had a great start to June! Thank you so much for your patience; I've compiled our writer's questions below, and please feel free to answer them at your convenience:
· Park Star Media features many chibi characters such as the Super Binks. Were there any chibi characters that inspired you when you were growing up and how did it find its way into the development of these characters?
· What drew you to create young adult and kids' entertainment?
· What is one key factor in producing successful and loveable stories with award-winning IPs?
· It's extremely impressive to see that you created the first globally successful South Korean 2D animated series for older kids. Did you ever face any challenges while creating a whole studio from scratch, and what do you believe led to your success?
· [In regards to Hey Yenny Han] What is the importance of telling a culturally significant and personal story, and what does representation mean to you?
· How do you feel your studio goes about representation that feels true to your experience and that others can relate to?
· For your studio's new show for CTN Korea, what are you most excited about?
· Who is your biggest influence and inspiration in life and how do their values find their way into your work?
· What aspect of the Supersonic Girl project are you most excited about?
Thank you again, and we look forward to your response!
Best wishes,
Rebe Chen (she/her) • ree-bee chen
Creative Admin Assistant
Asians in Animation | in...@asiansinanimation.org
Visit us at www.asiansinanimation.org
On Mon, May 15, 2023 at 10:56 PM Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Thanks Rebe! That all sounds perfect, and we’re very excited to collabe with AIA on our program
Looking forward to the questions, and we’ll be sure to provide more insight into our program and creative process.
Thanks!-Young
_______________________
https://www.parkstarmedia.com/
From: Rebe Chen
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 7:54 PM
To: Young Park
Cc: Asians in Animation – AnimAsians; sena yu; Saira Umar; alicej...@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Apologies, I immediately recognized a typo: Park Star Media, not Star Park Media!
On Mon, May 15, 2023 at 9:52 PM Rebe Chen <rc...@c.ringling.edu> wrote:
Hello Young,
We are glad to hear a late June - early July post works with your timeline! Given the amount of animated content your studio is producing and the limited space we have on one post, the AIA team thinks it would be best to focus this feature on introducing Star Park Media to our community and highlighting the IP your burgeoning studio has. In the coming weeks, our lead writer will be developing a list of questions to give you an opportunity to further elaborate on your studio's philosophy and branding (to be quoted in the feature). We'd also love to hear any insight into the creative process behind the studio's current and upcoming animated content (specific ones TBD!), and the impact you hope it leaves on your viewers and our community.
I will keep you updated as we move along in the process. We look forward to working with you on this, and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask!
Best wishes,
Rebe Chen (she/her) • ree-bee chen
Creative Admin Assistant
Asians in Animation | in...@asiansinanimation.org
Visit us at www.asiansinanimation.org
On Sun, May 14, 2023 at 1:47 PM Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Hey Rebe,
Great to meet you as well, and appreciate your support on this!
If we can't publish this feature sooner, June /July would be great as well. By then, we could also share progress from the particpants in our program, as well any requested assets. We may also want to announce plans for future rounds of applications for this program as well.
Please let me know what other information or details you may need from me in the meantime!
On Sun, May 14, 2023, 10:36 AM Rebe Chen <rc...@c.ringling.edu> wrote:
Hello Young,
Nice to meet you! My name is Rebe, and I am the creative production assistant on this feature. I look forward to getting to know you and Park Star Media more throughout this project!
At this time, I have 2 questions for you:
1. Is there a timeline for when you'd like us to post this feature to our platforms? I noticed that candidates for the A + PI Accelerator program would be notified by the end of May. This post would most likely be a June-July post, so we are wondering if you still wanted to include information about this program at that point.
2. As we move along in production, would your studio be willing to provide any graphic assets (logo, pre-production work, official artwork, HQ screengrabs) for use in the post?
Thank you! We will definitely have more questions for you as we move along in the process, but until then, have a lovely start to your week!
Best wishes,
Rebe Chen (she/her) • ree-bee chen
Creative Admin Assistant
Asians in Animation | in...@asiansinanimation.org
Visit us at www.asiansinanimation.org
On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 1:58 PM Young <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Sorry I hit reply too early- (please ignore my previous emall)
Hi Katie,
Thanks! Looking forward to chatting further with you creative team.
In addition, I would love to share a program that our studio is going to launch next week.
This is an accelerator program to support emerging creative talent by learning how to utilize AI tools for development and production. Our studio is working on several AI related projects and we want to specifically uplift creatives/artist from API backgrounds and educate them more on the use case of AI from a creative perspective. We would love to disucss more with the AIA team on how we can potentially collaborate on this!We have an exclusive with Kidscreen this Monday, and we can share with with you that article + press release. In the meantime, here is the launch page: https://www.parkstarmedia.com/accelerator.
Best,
Young Park
________________________
https://www.parkstarmedia.com/
From: Asians in Animation – AnimAsians
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 9:58 AM
To: Young Park
Cc: sena yu; Saira Umar; alicej...@gmail.com; rc...@c.ringling.edu
Subject: Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Hi Young,
I'm looping in the Creative Team (Chair Saira Umar, Director Alice Jiang, and Assistant Rebe Chen). They will be the ones to help you with this artist spotlight!
Thanks, and they'll take it from here!
Sincerely,
Katie
On Fri, 5 May 2023 at 10:43, Young Park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Hi Beverly,
Hope you’re doing well!
Sincere apologies since the long delay since our last communication, I had been traveling to Korea for work during that time and realized my previous email didn’t properly send!
I would love if we could continue our conversation from last time : ) Since our last conversation, I’ve been developing and producing several new animation projects which we’ll be pitching later this year at Mipcom and Annecy.
Moonfall Springs (development for animation + webtoon_ : https://kidscreen.com/2023/02/10/cool-new-show
Uncle Mermaid (based on our award winning Korean art toy) https://youtu.be/ceviV5GvyKs (We made this short format youtube series in partnership with KOCCA, the Korean government agency that funds creative projects)
The below two are projects covered in the last year, which are still in mid to late development stages.https://www.c21media.net/news/bright-little-labs-selects-two-series-to-develop-from-early-career-creatives/
https://kidscreen.com/2022/03/18/inside-park-stars-twist-on-tokusatsu/
Since there are several projects in the works, I feel this format would suit best “ Spotlighting an artist and their works’.
Thanks again for the opportunity and looking forward to hearing back.
Thanks!
-Young
_______________________
https://www.parkstarmedia.com/
From: Asians in Animation – AnimAsians
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 1:12 PM
To: Young park
Cc: sena yu; Alisha Syed; Katie Dizon; sacsha sayal; Saira Umar; alicej...@gmail.com; Lexie Chu
Subject: Re: Park Star Media introduction / Young Park
Hi Young,
It's nice to e-meet you and thank you for your patience. My name is Beverley and I'm the Partnerships Coordinator at Asians in Animation. We are more than happy to share your news with our community!
We do have a few questions:
1. Do you have a timeline of when you would want us to post it on our platform?
2. Do you have an idea of how you would like to share your news with our community?
Here are options of how we've featured films and/or series as well as artists in the past. I've attached links so you can take a look and see what works best for you.
· Featuring an entire animated film/series:
· Behind the scenes and Q&A with artists and/or production crew:
· Spotlighting an artist and their works:
If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for reaching out to us and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Beverley
Beverley Abernathy
Partnerships Coordinator
Asians in Animation | in...@asiansinanimation.org
Visit us at www.asiansinanimation.org
On Wed, 28 Sept 2022 at 11:55, Young park <young...@parkstarmedia.com> wrote:
Hi,
Hope you’re well!
My name is Young and I manage an animation & toy studio based in LA and Seoul.Recently I came across Asian in Animation’s social media and wanted to reach out. I was excited to see your support of the Asian animation community because it’s also our studio’s mission to support up & coming API talent. I often recruit and work exclusively with API artists and animators, like for my recent shows, a K-cartoon pilot with Cartoon Network Asia and a short-form series with Wildbrain).
For context, here’s a bit more on shows that our studio produced and worked on: https://www.parkstarmedia.com/press
Recently, I teamed up with a UK studio to co-develop/produce a multicultural preschool series featuring a cast of diverse Asian Amerian characters. (Link to article:Bright Little Labs )
I was wondering if your team would consider covering this news on your platform? I think this could garner interest in bringing more API talent once this show gets into production in the near future.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!Young Park
________________________
Saira Umar
<saira@asiansinanimation.org>--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AIA Creative Coords" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to aia-creative-co...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/aia-creative-coords/CAMx3m-cSwEKMK5fbg7AxedfR3yaRCsqf7Xw0D53Ar_5bvcA83Q%40mail.gmail.com.