BEHIND THE SCENES
The Story Behind Our Name and Brand
Charcoal is a simple material, but it holds a dual purpose. It can be used to create, sketching and shaping an image from nothing. It can also be used to ignite, generating heat and energy that transforms what it touches.
That balance reflects how we approach production.
Design in Use: Filming the KIA PV5 with Karim Habib in Korea
Moktan Productions supported the production of a short film for KIA centered on the PV5, recipient of the 2026 International Van of the Year award. The film highlights the vehicle’s underlying design philosophy through the perspective of Karim Habib, Head of Kia Global Design, combining conversation-led moments with real-world usage scenarios.
From Studio to Street: Producing Billboard’s K-pop Features in Seoul
Moktan Productions partnered with Billboard News to produce two artist-driven videos featuring Tetris Kelly during his visit to South Korea in April 2026. Both pieces were filmed within a single day in Seoul, combining a studio-based interview with LE SSERAFIM and an on-location feature with Joshua of SEVENTEEN at Noryangjin Fish Market.
Documenting History and Craft: Filming The Art of Jewellery Exhibition in Seoul
Moktan Productions produced an event film for The Art of Jewellery, a major exhibition held at the Lotte Museum of Art in Seoul from December 2024 to March 2025. Featuring 208 rare pieces spanning nearly 5,000 years, the exhibition presented the private collection of Kazumi Arikawa in its first large-scale public showing at a modern art institution.
Jeju Island on the Global Stage: Filming Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026
Moktan Productions led pre-production and on-location filming for a travel feature highlighting Jeju-do’s inclusion in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 list. Selected as one of 25 must-visit destinations worldwide, Jeju was recognized for its volcanic landscapes, coastal scenery, and strong appeal for nature-driven travel.
Capturing Craft and Experience: Louis Vuitton’s “Memories of Trunks” Pop-Up in Seoul
Moktan Productions partnered with Propaganda Studios to produce an event film for Louis Vuitton’s “Memories of Trunks” pop-up, held in May 2024 at Louis Vuitton East Dosan in Gangnam, Seoul. Developed as a limited-time immersive installation, the pop-up explored the house’s origins in trunk-making through a series of heritage-driven displays and spatial design elements rooted in travel and craftsmanship.
A Vertical Approach to Food & Wine Storytelling: Clarendelle at JW Marriott Seoul
Moktan Productions partnered with Clarendelle, a globally recognized French wine house, to produce a social-first promotional film centered on the relationship between food and wine at JW Marriott Seoul’s Margaux Grill. Designed for digital platforms, the project focuses on how thoughtful pairings can elevate the overall dining experience within a refined restaurant setting.
Branded Editorial Production: Moktan for CNN Health x Merz Aesthetics
Moktan Productions led on-set video production for a branded editorial feature published on CNN Health, created for Merz Aesthetics. Titled “The Beauty of Confidence Is More Than Skin Deep,” the campaign centers on Kang So-yeon, known for Single’s Inferno, and explores how confidence is shaped through a balance of athleticism, self-care, and evolving perspectives on beauty.
Throwback: Early Food & Event Storytelling — Godori Dinner Series (2015)
In 2015, Magpie Brewing Co. and The Beastro in Hongdae collaborated on the Godori Dinner Series, a concept-driven dining event pairing craft beer with a curated multi-course menu. At a time when Seoul’s craft beer scene was still emerging, the series introduced a more experimental format, built around close collaboration between chefs and brewers. Each dinner followed a central theme, with pairings designed to align in flavor and structure, and in some cases, beers developed specifically for the menu.
Filming a Global Comeback: Moktan Productions for Rolling Stone’s BTS Cover Story Series
In March 2026, Moktan Productions led on-set video production for a Rolling Stone cover story series featuring BTS, one of the most influential and globally recognized music groups in the world. Centered around their highly anticipated comeback and new album Arirang, the project captured a defining moment for the group as they returned with a release that has drawn worldwide attention from fans and media alike.
Shaping the Visual Language of History: Moktan Productions on The Mark of Empire – Defenders of Joseon
The Mark of Empire: Kingdoms of the East, produced by CNA (Channel NewsAsia), is a documentary series exploring how the legacies of past empires continue to shape modern societies across Asia. In the Korea-focused episode, Defenders of Joseon, host Peter Lee travels through South Korea to examine the cultural and historical influence of the Joseon Dynasty.
Documenting Voices That Matter: Moktan Productions at the 2025 NK Insider Forum
In October 2025, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) hosted the second NK Insider Forum in Seoul as part of the World Convention on North Korean Human Rights. The forum brought together North Korean defectors and activists, centering on firsthand testimonies presented through a focused, story-driven program. Designed to amplify voices that are often unheard, the event combined keynote talks, discussions, and performance into a single, cohesive platform for advocacy and awareness.
Filming the Future of Energy: Behind the Scenes of an OCI Holdings Project
In early 2026, Moktan Productions provided on-location filming and production support in South Korea for a project developed in collaboration with Bloomberg Media, focusing on OCI Holdings and its role in powering the next generation of digital infrastructure.
Filming Senior Living in Korea: Remote Collaboration and a Minimal Production Footprint
Moktan Productions recently completed a corporate film highlighting a strategic partnership between Invesco and CareDoc, focused on expanding senior housing and care services in South Korea.
Filmed at multiple senior living facilities outside Seoul, the project explored how design, care services, and daily life within these communities support residents while reflecting a broader vision for the future of senior housing in Korea.
On Location in South Korea: Supporting Al Jazeera’s 101 East Investigative Documentary
Four years ago, Moktan collaborated with Al Jazeera on an episode of its award-winning investigative series 101 East. The documentary, South Korea’s House of Horrors, examined the decades-long abuse that took place at Brothers Home in Busan between 1976 and 1987, and the ongoing fight for accountability by survivors.
Three, Two, One…Shots? The Power of Continued Collaboration
“Three, two, one … shots?” Yes, you read correctly. Shots. Our production team teamed back up with marketing agency Border X to film Episodes 3 and 4 of popular soju brand Jinro’s series Drink & Link. Now that both episodes have been released, let’s talk about the dedicated work that flowed into the project behind the scenes!
Searching for Answers: Capturing the Story of a Korean-Australian Adoptee
Not long ago, Moktan Productions was brought on by 7PM Company to support a segment for The Project, Australia’s leading news, current affairs, and talk show program. The piece followed Kimberley Lee, a Korean-Australian adoptee, on her first visit to South Korea since her adoption—a personal journey to understand more about her origins, and a reflection on the complexities of international adoption.
Food, Fashion, and Hip-Hop: The Story Behind XXX’s Supermarket
Supermarket marked Moktan Productions’ first venture into music video work—an energetic, concept-driven project created for the Korean hip-hop act XXX. Though the production was fast-paced and tightly scheduled, it remains a meaningful milestone and a strong example of creative problem-solving under pressure.
“Flash Drives for Freedom”: Carrying Truth Across the Border
At Moktan Productions, we’re drawn to stories that cross boundaries—physical, cultural, and political. One such story came through our collaboration with the Human Rights Foundation and PEN International, featuring North Korean activist Kim Jeong-ae.
Through Another Lens: Reflecting on Tim Franco’s UNPERSON
Back in early 2021, Moktan Productions had the privilege of creating a short documentary for Seoul-based photographer Tim Franco, marking the release of his photo book UNPERSON. Published by The Magenta Foundation and distributed by Thames & Hudson, the book is a powerful collection of analog portraits, each one telling the story of a North Korean defector and their journey to freedom.