Kwak Sin-ae

Kwak graduated from Dong-A University with a degree in Korean Language and Literature. She began her career at a publishing agency before moving to a drama production company. Upon the recommendation of film critic Jung Sung-il, the editor-in-chief of Kino magazine, she joined Kino as a reporter in 1994, where she worked for about three years. Following her time at Kino, she served as the CEO of the film publicity agency 'Barun Life', the planning and marketing director at Youth Film, and LJ Film. She later worked as the director of planning and marketing at Shin Cine.^[7][8][9]

The reason Kwak decided to become a producer was unexpected. She was seeking stability in her life due to having a child and needed a regular job. This led her to join Barunson, a film company that offered a salary. In 2010, Kwak joined Barunson Corporation as the head of the film business division.^[9]

She later became the CEO of Barunson Film Corporation and has been the CEO of Barunson E&A Corporation since 2015. During her tenure as CEO, she oversaw the production of 'Hidden Time' starring Kang Dong-won (2016) and the critically acclaimed 'Parasite,' which marked her second film as a producer. Director Bong Joon-ho, who collaborated with Barunson E&A on 'Mother,' has shared a synopsis of a new film set to be released in Korea following his work on 'Snowpiercer' and 'Okja' overseas.^[10]

Kwak reached a career milestone when 'Parasite' won four awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture. This historic achievement marked the first time in the 92-year history of the Academy Awards that an Asian female producer received the prestigious accolade.^[11]

She is the younger sister of Kwak Kyung-taek, a film director from Busan famous for film Friend. While working as a reporter for Kino, Kwak married film director Jung Ji-woo.^[7][8]