Yi Ok-seop, a talented filmmaker born in 1987, embarked on her cinematic journey after graduating from the prestigious Seoul Institute of the Arts and the renowned Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA).
Her professional career kicked off in 2010 with the short film "Please, Find My Mom," which marked the beginning of her successful trajectory in the film industry.
One of her most notable short films is "A Dangerous Woman," which showcased her collaborative skills as she co-directed the project with actor and director Koo Kyo-hwan, who is best recognized for his work on the film "Jane." This marked the start of a long-standing creative partnership between the two, with Koo serving as co-director for many of Yi's subsequent projects and occasionally appearing on screen as well.
Yi's ability to attract notable talent to her projects is evident in her short film "For Girls on Top," which features the acclaimed actress Chun Woo-hee. Additionally, her contribution to the anthology "Now Playing" is a testament to her commitment to the Seoul Independent Film Festival, which celebrated its 40th anniversary with this project.
Yi's feature film debut, "Maggie," gained significant attention and support from the National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea, being the 14th film project to receive official backing. The film tackles various social issues that are frequently reported in Korea, including spy-cam pornography, unemployment, real estate, and city redevelopment.
"Maggie" boasts an impressive cast, featuring Moon So-ri and Koo, and has garnered numerous awards, including the Citizen Critics' Award at the Busan International Film Festival and the Audience Award and Grand Prix at the Osaka Asian Film Festival.
