Where Children’s Light Begins Growing Bright

Inspiration

Moving to a new, unfamiliar city can be a daunting experience, especially for a child. Inspired by Sejong City's vision of being a child-friendly city, I wanted to tell a story about how a well-designed public space—the 'Solsol Playground'—can act as a catalyst for a child's social and emotional healing.

What I wanted to say

I wanted to show that a playground is more than just slides and swings; it is a stage where children's hidden passions and imaginations take flight. Through Bit-na’s journey, I wanted to convey that with the right environment and a bit of courage, every child can find their "light" and transition from isolation to connection.

How I built it

To capture Bit-na's emotional arc, I focused on the visual contrast between her initial isolation and the vibrant energy of the playground.

Storytelling: I framed the narrative around a "leaf butterfly" to symbolize small, natural inspirations.
Visuals: I used AI generation to create a soft, cinematic aesthetic that emphasizes the "warmth" of Sejong's community spaces.
Editing: The pacing transitions from slow, contemplative shots of Bit-na alone to dynamic, joyful sequences as she interacts with other children.

Challenges & limitations

The primary challenge was visually representing Bit-na's internal shyness without making the atmosphere too somber. I had to balance the technical consistency of the character's appearance across different scenes while ensuring the "leaf butterfly" looked both magical and realistic within the playground setting.