Kakao’s “Still, Ryan”: 1,500 Prompts for a Single Scene

A precise blend of human creators’ direction and generative AI technology

Ryan, one of Kakao’s signature intellectual property (IP) characters, has been brought to life in an animated short using the latest technology from OpenAI, the U.S.-based global AI leader. On the 10th, Kakao officially released “Still, Ryan”, its first AI animated short produced through its partnership with OpenAI.

Based on the webtoon of the same name, the project is a short film running about five minutes. It adopted an experimental production process that systematically integrates a generative AI pipeline into areas traditionally reserved for human creators, including planning, direction and storyboarding.

The project was directed by Han Ji-won, director of Netflix’s original animated film “Lost in Starlight,” with AI supervisor Kim Young-jun joining the technical team to refine the visuals. After developing initial concept sketches and detailed prompts, the production team generated base images using OpenAI’s ChatGPT Images engine. Professional animators then refined the images by hand and retouched details, eliminating an artificial feel and heightening the emotional impact.

To capture subtle changes in expression and portray the characters’ inner lives, the team went through an intensive review process, entering about 1,500 prompts for a single scene. The result reflects a creative effort to convey the characters’ underlying story rather than relying solely on technical efficiency.

Ahead of the release, Kakao held a special preview and a question-and-answer session with the audience on the 8th at Movie Land in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. The event also featured an archive exhibition about the making of the film. Tickets for the session sold out within a day of going on sale.

At the event, director Han Ji-won said, “I put a great deal of care into directing so that Ryan’s distinctive emotional quality could reach the audience without exaggerated dialogue or dramatic changes in expression, while leaving room for viewers to see their own lives in the story.” Supervisor Kim Young-jun added, “Whenever the AI-generated results didn’t match the directorial intent or the delicate rhythm, we kept regenerating and refining them. Ultimately, what determined the finished work’s quality was the creator’s clear standards and personal touch.”