A letter from a recent graduate.

After 5 years of studying until 3:00 AM's, learning how to use a multitude of Adobe programs and Speedotrons, working on sets and shoots on countless weekends, and making a ton of mistakes along the way, I've finally graduated from the nest, my safety net. Despite the frequent complaints, a few regrets here and there, I wouldn't have chosen any other place to call 'home' for the past 5 years. To OCADU and Toronto, thank you.

To my friends from all walks of life, I met many of you over the past half a decade. You made every shitty moment laughable, cried together through each others' heartbreaks, and truly made me feel a part of your lives. It's cheesy to say our friendships will last forever, but I don't see it any other way. 

To the unofficial mentors who guided me with words of encouragement and sharp criticisms, you've shaped and sculpted my unrefined talents and amateur passion into the mature, independent creative that I am today. I know these next few years will not be an easy one. It'll be filled with bumps and holes, moments of harsh low's and short-lived high's. But nevertheless, I've never felt more prepared and confident to enter this new chapter, and I have you to kindly blame. :)

To my own mother who has always been a strong source of inspiration and my role model in life, without your endless love and support, I would have never dared to chase after my passion in the arts, reach for far-reaching dreams, or imagine I'd be here today. When everyone said 'Do what you should', you said, 'Do what you want'. I will always be thankful and in debt to your strength and selfless heart.

Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. - Steve Jobs, 2005

From a recent graduate,

Hankyul