HWANG Hyein

HWANG Hyein is an exciting new voice in South Korean cinema, best known for her visually striking and unsettling short film Hole (2023). A graduate of the prestigious Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA), HWANG specializes in psychological thrillers and body horror that explore themes of isolation, transformation, and female identity. Her breakthrough work Hole premiered at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) in 2023, where it garnered attention for its disturbing atmosphere and bold visual storytelling. The film went on to screen at Fantastic Fest in Austin and Sitges Film Festival, establishing HWANG as an emerging talent in genre cinema. HWANG's distinctive style combines meticulous framing with visceral practical effects, drawing comparisons to filmmakers like David Cronenberg and Julia Ducournau. Prior to Hole, her student film Skin Deep (2021) won the Best Experimental Short award at the Seoul International Extreme-Short Image & Film Festival. Currently developing her first feature film, HWANG continues to push boundaries in horror cinema while maintaining a strong focus on character-driven narratives. Her work demonstrates a unique ability to transform physical spaces into psychological landscapes, making her one of the most promising new directors in contemporary Korean genre filmmaking.