Park Chan-wook Reveals His Creative Philosophy in a BTS Documentary, “Conversation Is the Best Shortcut”

The Power Behind Creation: The Beauty of Moving Forward

• 'BTS' group mini-documentary 'Keep Swimming with BTS' released in full

• 'Park Chan-wook' spotlights a creative philosophy centered on 'communication' and 'conversation'

• Korea’s first fashion designer 'Nora No' paradoxically reveals a life defined by unstoppable forward momentum

From a Master’s Perspective: The Power of “Conversation,” Explained by Director “Park Chan-wook”

In a surprise appearance, world-famous group 'BTS'’s mini-documentary features none other than Korean film master 'Park Chan-wook', who lays out his steadfast philosophy on creation and communication. He appears as the first featured guest of 'Keep Swimming with BTS' (KEEP SWIMMING with BTS), released through the group’s official YouTube channel on the 3rd. The documentary is built around the core message “Keep moving forward,” weaving it into the title track 'Swim' (SWIM) from the fifth full-length album 'Arirang' (ARIRANG).

In the video, Director 'Park Chan-wook' once again emphasized the immense power of 'communication'. “Don’t just suffer in silence on your own—keep talking, keep asking questions,” he said. At the film set as well, he gathers viewpoints from a broad range of people, from veteran producers to the newest members of the directing team. Through this 'conversation' process, ideas ultimately come together clearly—and he stressed, without exception, that 'conversation' is always the best shortcut to make the right judgment.

Scriptwork Anywhere, and Staying Clear of “Cliché”

He also revealed his distinctive philosophy in 'script' work. No matter where he is—coffee shops, train stations, airports—he writes wherever he can, adding, “There aren’t actually that many times when I sit down and write completely on my own.” He said he does this to guard against laziness that can creep in during solo work, and to avoid getting absorbed in his smartphone. He offered a confession: he always hopes others will be nearby, determined to prevent himself from falling into tired 'sentimentalism' or 'cliché'—the way you might feel embarrassed when you read the diary you wrote the night before the next morning.

'Nora No' and 'Choi Gaon'—Icons of Unstoppable Forward Momentum

In the second video released on the 6th, 'Nora No', Korea’s first fashion designer, appeared and strongly underscored a life attitude that keeps moving forward without hesitation. Pointing to her independence after her divorce and her move to the United States as the best choices she ever made, she recalled, “I threw myself into work alone. Otherwise, could today’s fashion have developed so much?” She also reaffirmed her unwavering belief: “No matter what it is, you have to bump into it all the way to the end—and that’s something other people can’t force on you.”

Featuring candid philosophies from celebrities across all walks of life, 'Keep Swimming with BTS' releases every Monday and Friday at 10 p.m. on the official YouTube channel. In the third episode scheduled for the 10th, 'Choi Gaon', a national representative and a women’s snowboard halfpipe gold medalist at the 2026 Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, is set to appear and carry that burning momentum forward.