BIOGRAPHY
TanChun
TanChun grew up traveling back and forth from her birthplace in Michigan to Maui, Hawaii. Her childhood was heavily influenced by her broadcasting career-oriented parents which sparked her love for TV and films. By elementary school, TanChun was memorized by the creative works of Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki and became inspired to be just as big of a dreamer as he. By the time she got her first flip phone, TanChun would film and edit videos of herself around her house, acting as different characters in pretend worlds. In high school, she started teaching herself professional editing programs and film photography when her new interest in classic samurai films and film noir pictures triggered her motivation to pursue a career in the film industry.
At Columbia College Chicago, TanChun was able to professionally develop her passion for storytelling as a Screenwriting and Directing major. TanChun was accepted to two of the top universities in South Korea, Korea National University of Arts and Yonsei University. She spent the remainder of her college years studying abroad at both colleges where she had the opportunity to direct her first Korean short film.
As a film director, TanChun believes in promoting positive Asian representation in Hollywood. She wants to bring the world's attention to the Asian scene by developing more stories in Western media that spotlight Asian characters in feature roles! TanChun knows how to take reality and manifest it into a world of imagination that stuns the mind and questions the soul.
- EDUCATION -
- DREAMS -
FEATURED FILMOGRAPHY
What Katie Did
December 2019
Short Film
In a local bar, an abnormal, self-obsessive, introverted bartender, lacking social skills, spends unusual amounts of time on his own weird and non-mainstream activities. Until, one evening, his everyday routine is suddenly disrupted when he begins to take a peculiar interest in a young woman. Though, his illusionary perceptions of her character quickly surprise him the moment she enters his workspace.
Hoodie
May 2018
Short Film
A hooded, young man follows a stranger throughout her day in the busyness of Chicago with intentions to protect her from any harm that he foresees. But can he really keep her safe from everything?
i dream. a dream in busan
March 2020
Short Film
Within 4 chapters, adventure through TanChun's surreal moments during her stay in Busan in a global pandemic. A view from the Busan Tower, a walk through Gamcheon Cultural Village, a guest at the acclaimed Busan International Film Festival, and a waltz along Haeundae Beach may all just be a faraway, forgotten dream.
Asian Stereotypes in Western Media
May 2019
Documentary
This documentary speaks about the lack of Asian representation and the stigmas set against Asians in Western movies and TV shows. The film explores how society sees a certain group of cultural people and turns them into a slapstick community. Asian Stereotypes in Western Media pushes its audience reflect on how we showcase each other and reaches out to provoke a change in the media’s portrayal of the Asian culture.
WKPOP PROMO
December 2017
Commercial
A promotional video for WKPOP (Kpop For Women) in Chicago, Illinois. WKPOP is a dancing/fitness company for women and girls of all ages to have fun and get fit through the power of Kpop dancing. This commercial introduces the CEO of WKPOP as well as the owner of the dance studio and takes you on a sneak peek of an upcoming dance practice!
OFFICIAL SELECTION
OAK PARK CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2019
Asian Stereotypes in Western Media
This documentary was featured as the opening film in both the festival and the champagne reception. The concept was developed as a student project for a Columbia College Chicago class called Culture Race, & Media. The class was taught by author and photojournalist Stan West who selected TanChun's short documentary to be a special feature at the 2019 Oak Park International Film Festival.
The Superstition
Synopsis:
As the newlywed bride of Korean ballad star Daniel Jung, Sweetie must face the unforeseen risks of marrying into fame and the death-defying threats that come to discriminate, brainwash, and haunt her marriage and sanity.
COMING SOON!