AI video gets louder. Human direction matters more.
As AI video tools sprint ahead, Seoul-based director and CEO Kim Young-ki is taking the opposite bet: stronger models make creative leadership more critical, not less. At The Ape Squad, his AI studio, the mandate is simple-use machines to serve the vision, not replace it.
"I actually put in more of my own time when directing AI videos than when directing live-action," Kim said at the studio's offices in Gangnam. "With AI work, I have to be involved in every single step personally… That made us think a lot about where to find the right balance, how much is reduced and what we gain in return."
AI as a fidelity engine-not a shortcut
The Ape Squad started as an R&D cell inside Space Monster Content and spun out in 2024 to run an end-to-end AI pipeline. Planning, image generation, video production and post all sit under one roof to keep creative intent intact from concept to final export.
Kim's stance is clear: costs can drop, but the point is better work. "The key is how effectively we can reallocate those savings to enhance the work's quality, creativity and the overall appeal of the content."
Budgets: spend less overall, spend better
AI can bring production down to as little as one-twentieth of comparable live action. The Ape Squad intentionally targets one-third to one-fifth instead-and pours the difference back into the piece.
- Push concept development and story beats further with more iterations.
- Invest in art direction, character consistency, and sound design.
- Upgrade post: compositing, color, finishing, and final polish.
- Buy time for the team to direct-not just generate.
A difficult brief: respectfully reconstructing Kim Sung-jae (Deux)
The studio drew attention with an AI-produced music video for Deux's new release "RISE," featuring a reconstruction of the late Kim Sung-jae. Unlike current celebrities with endless photos, Kim passed away shortly after debut, leaving limited references.
"With famous celebrities, text-to-video is relatively easy because there are so many photos. But Kim Sung-jae passed away right after his debut… Everyone has a different memory of what he looks like," Kim explained. The team chose restraint: reveal the face only at key moments at the beginning and end, and use a half-masked look in between.
"At this stage, it's inevitable that some traces of AI remain visible. So we decided to embrace it by building a story that would highlight it in the most meaningful way," he said. "Instead of constantly exposing an imperfect face, we focused on moments that would evoke nostalgia."
Hybrid production: where AI and live action meet
Kim became the first director in Korea to win a grand prize for both live-action and AI ad campaigns at the Korea Advertising Awards. That dual fluency points to a near-term edge: combining live-action footage with AI-generated environments and assets.
The studio's anthology film "Code: G" (released Dec. 24) includes a short they directed using a hybrid approach. "As AI technology advances, what direction should we pursue? Next year we plan to explore more hybrid approaches-an area we believe could become a major differentiator."
The Ape Squad workflow creatives can borrow
Kim structures AI projects like a round-table. Artists, technicians and directors work as one unit from day one. If you're building your own pipeline, start here:
- Concept first: write the emotional arc, then storyboard for rhythm and beats.
- Look dev: lock character/style references before heavy generation.
- Generation passes: iterate in short loops for pose, motion and continuity.
- Face/ID control: prioritize identity consistency over volume output.
- Hybrid when needed: shoot plates or key performances; generate worlds around them.
- Post as craft: composite, grade, sound, and timing-make it feel directed.
What this means for creatives
AI lowers friction but raises the bar for taste and decision-making. The winners aren't the ones who press the button fastest-they're the ones who choose with intent, iterate with discipline and ship with clarity.
Kim frames it like past format shifts, from film to digital. Resistance fades; standards evolve; the director's eye remains. "Rather than opposing it blindly, I think we need to focus on how to apply it effectively in our own way."
Level up your AI video workflow
If you want a curated overview of tools and learning paths for generative video, this resource can help:
Generative video tools: curated roundup
Images and campaign references courtesy of The Ape Squad.
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