Jin Kim

Jin Kim, known in Korean as 김상진 (Kim Sang-jin), is an accomplished South Korean animator and character designer renowned for his extensive tenure at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he worked from 1995 to 2016. Notably, he was the first Korean animator to join Disney's ranks, making significant contributions to some of the studio's most beloved films.

Despite facing challenges such as red-green color blindness and the restrictive college admissions policies in Korea that prevented him from pursuing art school, Kim remained dedicated to honing his artistic abilities. He ultimately transitioned from a background in economics to a successful career in animation.

In 2016, after years at Disney, Kim was invited by Hong Sung-ho, the president of Locus Studios, to return to South Korea as the executive creative director of the animated feature film *Red Shoes*, which was released in July 2019. At Disney, he had felt limited by the focus on sequels, making this opportunity particularly appealing as it allowed him to engage with a Korean-speaking animation team.

In May 2018, Kim made a return to Los Angeles to work on *Over the Moon*, a project under Pearl Studio and Netflix, directed by fellow Disney animator Glen Keane. By August 2019, he rejoined Disney to contribute to the acclaimed films *Raya and the Last Dragon* and *Encanto*, showcasing his enduring impact on the animation industry.