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Chung Chung-hoon (Photo: Murray Close)

Director of photography Chung Chung-hoon was accepted into the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC). This is the first time that a cinematographer of Korean heritage has been elected as a full member of the ASC, eight years after Chung made his debut in Hollywood. 

The ASC, formed in 1919, is a professional organization of Hollywood cinematographers. To become an ASC member, one must have worked as a cinematographer for at least five years in the previous eight years, get recommendations from three active or retired ASC members, and then have the nomination accepted by a vote of the current members. Chung's successful application as an ASC member is notable since it indicates he is being recognized by his American peers for his US career. 

Chung Chung-hoon was born in Seoul and attended Dongguk University's Theater and Film Department, where he specialized in film. In 1996, he made his debut as a cinematographer at the age of 25 with the film Yuri, directed by Yang Yun-ho. Chung made a name for himself in the global film industry as a long-term collaborator with Park Chan-wook, working together on acclaimed films such as Old Boy (2003), Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay (2006), Thirst (2009), Stoker (2013), and The Handmaiden (2016). 

In addition to Park's films, Chung has worked on other notable Korean films such as The Unjust (2010) and New World (2012). After making his Hollywood debut with Park's Stoker, his work perspectives broadened significantly. He worked on Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015), Crimson Peak (2015), It (2017), Hotel Artemis (2018), Current War (2018), and Zombieland: Double Tap (2019). Last Night in Soho (2021), the fruit of his partnership with Edgar Wright, received a nomination for Outstanding British Film at the BAFTA Awards. Following that, he worked on Rubin Fleischer's Uncharted (2022) and Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022). His most recent finished work, Wonka (directed by Paul King), a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, has been eagerly awaited since it began production and is now set for release. 

Chung is now working on the upcoming film Heretic. This film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, who have written scripts for various horror films, including A Quiet Place (2018) and The Boogeyman (2023), and is produced by A24. 

By Kim Seong-hoon