Insider Stories – New Livery
Korean air
Period
2025
Format
Documentary Series
Location
Busan
Overview
A timelapse documentary capturing the three-week journey of Korean Air's new livery, visualizing the craftsmanship and technical precision of the aircraft painting process.
Thematic
Clarifying Brand Vision
What We Did
Timelapse Photography, On-site Production, Post-production
Context
One of the most notable changes accompanying Korean Air's new CI announcement was the complete overhaul of the iconic sky-blue livery that had adorned the skies for 41 years. The transition from light blue to deep blue with special metallic effects was not merely a color change but a complex process accompanied by innovation in aircraft painting technology. The custom metallic blue paint developed in collaboration with AkzoNobel shows different hues depending on the angle of light and is designed to emit a unique luster even at night. Along with these technical innovations, 'Korean Air' on the fuselage was simplified to 'KOREAN,' and the Taegeuk symbol was reborn in monochrome, representing a modern reinterpretation of brand identity. Recording the birth process of the first livery where all these changes were first implemented was meaningful work that captured a historic moment while showcasing the precision and artistry of the aviation industry.
Challenge
There was a physical challenge of maintaining production efficiency while comprehensively recording the three-week livery process. We needed to monitor the 24-hour continuous work while efficiently operating personnel and equipment without missing important moments. There were technical challenges in capturing both delicate details and large-scale work while complying with security regulations in the aircraft maintenance area. Beyond simply recording the work process, we needed to visually convey the symbolic meaning of a new era's beginning while capturing the craftsmanship and dedication of the workers. Securing emotional depth and narrative completeness within the formal constraints of timelapse was also an important challenge.
Solution
Through close consultation with the client, we established a strategic filming plan based on deep understanding of the work schedule. We set filming priorities for each key rocess and used multiple camera angles to simultaneously capture the panorama of the entire process and the precision of detailed work. We focused on recording symbolic turning points such as the moment metallic paint was applied, when masking tape was removed revealing the new 'KOREAN' lettering, and when the Taegeuk symbol was completed. By combining poetic narration from 'A new horizon unfolds' to 'Painting the next chapter above' with the timelapse footage, we added emotional depth to the technical process. We visualized the flow of time and energy of change through rhythmic editing that compressed the three-week journey without missing the importance of each stage.
Watch
Insider Stories - New Livery
From the Team
"Watching an aircraft receive its new identity was like witnessing the birth of an artwork on a giant canvas. Through three weeks of on-site filming, we were able to record not just a painting job but the essence of industrial art completed with millimeter-level precision by hundreds of experts. This project was meaningful work that showed how efficient production management and artistic vision can harmonize while visually conveying the end of one era and the beginning of a new one."
Shiheon Lee
Director
Credit
Director
Executive Producer
Producer
Cinematographer
Specialist
Colorist
Copywriter
Shiheon Lee
Minseok Kim
Diane Yoo
Seungchan Baek
Jihoon Kim
Yoonseop Kim
Hyejin Jeon
Credit
DirectorShiheon Lee
Executive ProducerMinseok Kim
ProducerDiane Yoo
CinematographerSeungchan Baek
SpecialistJihoon Kim
ColoristYoonseop Kim
CopywriterHyejin Jeon
