Pixar’s Korean artist says fourth try led to dream job, calls “Elio” a personal film

“Elio,” Disney and Pixar’s upcoming film, features a scene where the main character lies on a sandy beach, hoping to be discovered and taken into space by aliens. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

As Disney and Pixar prepare to release their new animated film “Elio” in Korea on July 18, one of the most visually striking elements — glittering sands and vast oceans — was crafted by a Korean artist behind the scenes.

Lee Jae-joon, a 40-year-old effect technical director who joined Pixar in December 2021, helped bring the film’s complex natural phenomena to life.

Effect technical directors are responsible for simulating natural and physical effects, such as water, fire, dust and wind, using computer graphics. Their work plays a crucial role in enhancing realism and immersion in animation, film and games.

Lee has contributed to several major Pixar productions, including “Elemental,” a hit with Korean audiences, and “Inside Out 2,” which recently became the highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Yet when Lee spoke with the Hankook Ilbo at Pixar’s headquarters in Emeryville, California, on May 6, he said “Elio” is particularly meaningful to him.

“I saw myself in Elio’s loneliness,” Lee said. “He wants to escape Earth, and that reminded me of how I felt as a teenager. I once seriously considered dropping out of high school.”

He added, “The sense of isolation that runs through the film is something we all experience. I hope the comfort I received through working on this story is shared with audiences.”

Lee’s journey to Pixar was not easy. “Since childhood, I’ve found healing through animation,” he said.

After studying media in Korea, he moved to the United States and majored in visual effects at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

For seven years after graduation, he worked at a small studio in Los Angeles doing visual effects for commercials and music videos. Throughout those years, he kept applying to Pixar — and was rejected three times before finally succeeding on his fourth try.

Lee Jae-joon, effect technical director for Disney and Pixar’s new film “Elio,” which opens in Korea on July 18. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

Even after joining his dream studio, challenges persisted. Amid declining box office revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pixar conducted its largest-ever round of layoffs last year. Meanwhile, the rise of generative AI continues to pose a looming threat to animation jobs.

“Fortunately, Pixar still believes in human creativity,” Lee said. “Even here, where the best artists gather, not every film is a success. No matter how advanced AI becomes, what matters is who uses it and how.”

He also reflected on the purpose of his work. “When I question the meaning of what I do, I remember that a single scene from an animation can be more precious to someone than a meal,” he said. “That sense of responsibility keeps me going.”

Asked for advice from aspiring Korean artists hoping to join Pixar, Lee downplayed his achievements. “I was just lucky,” he said. “I kept working hard, and eventually, the timing worked out. Good talent is always in demand, so if you continue developing your skills, the opportunity will come.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.