Actor Kim Tae-gyeom debuts as director with AI-enhanced documentary 'Memory of Sound'

Actor Kim Tae-gyeom, who has appeared in dramas such as 'The Fiery Priest' and 'Doctor Lawyer' as well as films like 'The Policeman's Lineage' and 'Devils', held a screening for his feature-length directorial debut 'Memory of Sound' (produced by Creative Brief) on October 19 at KU Cinematheque in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, meeting the audience for the first time.

The poster for director Kim Tae-gyeom's feature 'Memory of Sound'. The screening was held at KU Cinematheque on October 19 (Photo=Creative Brief)

'Memory of Sound' is a 64-minute feature film built upon live performance footage from Jogyesa Temple's 'Traditional Performance Madang' and theater performances, interspersed with "memory" scenes generated by AI. The story follows a person who, while a child sings in a temple courtyard, recalls the origins of that sound throughout their life. While the live-action footage represents the present and the AI scenes represent memories, the two eras are connected by the sounds of samulnori, gayageum, seungmu, and bepgo. In addition to traditional performances, the film includes stages by fusion gugak bands to demonstrate how traditional sounds evolve into contemporary music. As suggested by its subtitle, "Us in the Past and Present Contained in Sound," the film follows the moments when traditional sounds are passed down through generations.

“I wanted to make the traditional sounds of the past breathe again on this stage today,” Director Kim Tae-gyeom said. “I wanted to deliver the scene to audiences who could not attend the venue and create a documentary that connects the past and the present.”

'Memory of Sound' is Kim Tae-gyeom's second feature film. His first feature documentary, 'Garam Sound, a Journey Toward Tradition' (2024, 66 minutes), recorded the process of teenagers learning samulnori and gugak until they stood on stage; produced with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it held a screening at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Entrance in November 2024. An English-subtitled version was later produced and screened at the MITAK International Film Festival held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in July 2025. His short film 'Homo Selcus' (2024) was screened in the short film competition at the 23rd MITAK International Film Festival held that same year.

Director Kim Tae-gyeom holds a doctoral degree in theater from Dongguk University and has worked as an actor, researcher, and director. In January 2026, he established and serves as the representative of Creative Brief, a company encompassing film/video production and performance planning. Creative Brief was selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's private international cultural exchange support project and private festival support project this year and is currently conducting projects for the second half of the year.

· Title: Memory of Sound
· Subtitle: Us in the Past and Present Contained in Sound
· Format: Feature film (Traditional performance live footage + AI generated scenes)
· Running time: 64 minutes
· Director/Director: Kim Tae-gyeom
· Production: Creative Brief
· Screening: Monday, October 19, 2026, KU Cinematheque

Read the original (Korean)