Falling into the Sound
Dallas, Texas | Film Feature
Drama, Music
Korea/America. K-pop/hip hop. Group/individual. Follow the story of a wildly talented young man who is forced to decide where he truly belongs.
Falling into the Sound
Dallas, Texas | Film Feature
Drama, Music
1 Campaigns | Texas, United States
13 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$3,865
Goal: $15,000 for production
Korea/America. K-pop/hip hop. Group/individual. Follow the story of a wildly talented young man who is forced to decide where he truly belongs.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FALLING INTO THE SOUND follows Jaehoon, a Korean-American K-pop idol who secretly reignites his underground hip-hop roots during a U.S. tour, when his management company collapses overnight, leaving his group stranded, silenced, and broke. Forced to choose between solo freedom and collective survival, he must decide whether authenticity is something you claim alone or something you build together.
This film asks:
What do we sacrifice to move forward on a splitting path?
Behind the scenes shot from FOLLOWED (2024).
Why This Story
This is a story about creativity, authenticity, and the prices of fame and freedom.
Global audiences see K-pop for the precision and spectacle and dedicated fandom. Beneath the glittering lights are real people, many of whom were quite young when they took the big risk to join a K-pop company.
This story isn't a critique of the K-pop system, it merely poses the questions of careers, life paths, and changing priorities within the context of this industry.
A shot from our short, CHECKMATES (2025).
Many of us grew up dreaming of fame, some tried it, and a few maybe even tasted it. Whether your childhood dream was to be the next Britney Spears (hey, middle school me!) or to follow in your dad’s footsteps as a bookkeeper, it’s likely that your dreams and goals changed at some point, right?
That’s easy enough if all you need to do is change your major or apply for a new job.
But what if your entire identity – not to mention the attention of millions of people – was tied to a decision you made at 15?
My draw to this story isn’t about fame and fortune, but agency vs. collaboration, refined systems vs. messy creativity, who you’ve found yourself becoming vs. who you always dreamed you’d be.
I listened to the first Agust D mixtape when it was released in 2016, then watched the comeback releases for WINGS, my first experience with BTS. (If you're unfamiliar, I HIGHLY recommend doing a side-by-side rabbit hole.) I thought, “How can Agust D and SUGA be the same person? How can that not feel like being ripped into two?”
The first draft of this script was a biopic about Yoongi as SUGA and Agust D, written in a whirlwind in late 2016-early 2017. Then as time passed, I read the stories of Tablo, TVXQ, and Jay Park back then, and for recent updates, I watched the corporate nonsense around FIFTY-FIFTY and Newjeans and read what I could about eaJ leaving Day6 and EXO being reduced to 6.
The story grew into a fully original tale, inspired by all these real experiences, but the core question remained the same:
How can someone follow two different paths when both and neither feel perfectly like home?
This particular draft really leans into the group dynamic, so much so that it could end up being a true ensemble piece. As such, a key experiment in this project is to treat a feature script like a TV writers’ room. There will be three writers: myself, Aster Hwang, and Kat Burgess. Kat and Aster bring incredibly unique perspectives that I am absolutely thrilled to see reflected in the story. Aster is a multi-hyphenate creator with a keen insight into being a performer in Korea and America. Kat is one of those writers you talk to and think, "She's going places." Then you read her pages (even the ones she claims are trash), and you're certain she is.
Behind the scenes shot from our short, CHAMELEON (2024).
How do we fit into the SEED&SPARK AAPI Renaissance Rally?
A lot of uninspired folks fully equate Korea with K-pop now, but the view of K-pop still lacks a great deal of nuance. K-POP DEMON HUNTERS gave us a bad ass girl group fantasy spin with some top tier tunes, but what about the more grounded, realistic version? What happens when everything isn’t fawning fans and sick beats?
This is not a story about a villainous industry or a hero who “escapes” it.
It’s about agency inside a system, friendship under pressure, and choosing between loyalty or independence.
(Or perhaps some secret, third option...)
Tone & World
Image featuring posters from A STAR IS BORN (2018) and SING STREET (2016).
Comps: A Star Is Born’s industry intensity with Sing Street’s ensemble soul.
This film lives in three sonic and visual spaces:
The Idol World
Precision. Saturated lights. Choreography so tight it feels mechanical. The camera moves like it’s part of the stage rigging.
The Underground World
Handheld. Intimate. Dim clubs and open mics. Breath in the mic. Sweat on the floor. Lyrics that aren’t committee-approved.
The Real World
Muted. Fluorescent aisles. Ill-fitting jeans and borrowed sneakers. Grocery lists. Suburban stillness that feels heavier than any spotlight.
Image featuring visuals from BTS Love Yourself: Her, Version E concept, LADY BIRD (2017), and 8 MILE (2002) to depict tone.
What Your Support Does
We’re raising funds to move FALLING INTO THE SOUND into its next stage of development and production: securing key creative collaborators, refining music production, locking locations, and building a visually cohesive world that honors both the idol system and the underground scene.
Your support helps us:
- Develop original music that feels authentic to both worlds
- Compensate cast and crew fairly
- Protect time for rehearsal and performance prep
Join Us
Back the campaign! Follow the project! Share it with someone who has ever felt split between who they are and who they’re expected to be!
AI usage notice: We did use Claude Code to help us develop the fake livestream UI and the text-based chats occasionally to help keep things organized. To help offset the effects, we have been donating a recurring, monthly contribution to NAACP's "Stop Dirty Data Centers" campaign from our personal funds.
All other images, video, and audio are (to the best of our knowledge) not AI-generated. We have no intention of using generative AI in our film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel
Costs $3,000
Flights (some international), temporary housing, and ground transport so non-local cast and crew can actually show up.
Crew Pay
Costs $2,000
Partial living wages for the artists bringing this story to life. Check our full crew list to see if there are any gaps to be filled!
Locations
Costs $1,500
A suburban house, rehearsal space, and real-world venues to ground the story.
Production Design
Costs $1,500
Wardrobe and props that contrast idol polish with fragile survival.
Equipment
Costs $2,500
Camera, lighting, and sound support to capture both spectacle and intimacy.
Crafty
Costs $2,000
Hot meals, snacks, and caffeine for a longer-term shoot (25-30 days) with hungry humans.
Insurance & Legal
Costs $2,000
Protection, contracts, and paperwork, particularly around insurance and potential visas.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Devin (Story by/Co-writer/Executive Producer)
- Devin Overman is a Dallas-based screenwriter and indie filmmaker drawn to stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and extraordinary people doing ordinary things. Her work spans novels, features, series, and short films, often blending genres and influences into narratives that are commercially viable but with a surprise depth.
Kat (Co-writer)
- Kat Burgess is a writer and editor living in Virginia. With a degree in philosophy, she always aligns herself with projects that focus on the human experience and exploring the 'why' behind people's decisions. When not writing or watching procedural tv shows, you can find her reading and reviewing books.
Aster (Co-writer/Actor)
- Aster Hwang is a writer, actor, and performer based out of New York. He created an original TV series concept, ZETA DELTA CHI, developed from his Huffington Post essay about his experience transitioning as a transmasculine, bisexual Korean international student in a queer fraternity.
Ali (Producer)
- Alison Dumbell is a Los Angeles-based Talent and Literary Manager and WGA Signatory who represents American and Asian actors and writers. She brings a practical "LA touch" to project packaging, helping creators navigate the Hollywood system to ensure their stories reach a global audience.
Full list of who is involved
We’re dedicated to getting this done and getting it done right, so we’ve already been reaching out to folks we’ve worked with and asked for referrals from folks who are willing to help us make something great.
Cast:
- Hayden Won (원성연) is a South Korean actor known for roles in television series such as He is Psychometric (2019), The Uncanny Counter (2020-2021), Love Next Door (2024), and Missing Crown Prince (2024).
- Aster Hwang (one of our co-writers!) is a writer, actor, and performer based out of New York. He created an original TV series concept, ZETA DELTA CHI, developed from his Huffington Post essay about his experience transitioning as a transmasculine, bisexual Korean international student in a queer fraternity.
- Edward Treminio is an award winning Actor, Writer, Director from Dallas, Texas with over 20 years of experience in Theatre and Film. He was most recently seen in various Short Films such as, One More Shot, Masterwork Meltdown, and Toil & Trouble. The latter of which he won Best Individual Comedic Performance at the Dallas 48 Hour Film Project competition.
Production:
- Argentina Reeves is a director, producer, and actress working across independent narrative film. Her projects include Persephone, Kill Blade, and Evelyn, where she has led creative development and production execution. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16019851
- Douglas Xavier is a filmmaker with experience directing, writing, editing, and managing productions for both narrative and festival-driven projects. His work demonstrates a strong command of storytelling, post-production, and organizational oversight.
Cinematography:
- Eugene Hawkins is a Texas-based cinematographer and director known for visually grounded genre storytelling and emotionally resonant imagery. His work spans independent narrative films including Nail Gun (2021), Pure Hands (2021), and The Sacrifice (2020). https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5779297/
- Richard Duryea is a cinematographer and director with a foundation in both visual storytelling and creative writing. He has collaborated with industry figures including Robert Townsend, ASC cinematographer Dean Cundey, and artist Gerard Way. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4570876/
- Larry Wright is a cinematographer and producer with experience spanning studio features and independent films. His work includes the major studio release Miracles from Heaven and recent narrative projects such as Veiled in Flesh and New Hire. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4726832
Electrical:
- Johnny Ortega is a multi-disciplinary filmmaker working across producing, editing, performance, and technical departments. His experience spans narrative shorts and independent productions such as Last Call, Kill Blade, and A Million More to Go. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12745552/
Music:
- Jihoon Bae is a Seoul-based Korean music producer and audio mixing engineer who has worked with artists like Mamamoo, Chung Ha, Roa, J Stellar, and Jiae. https://soundcloud.com/baeoffical
- Bryce Allen is a composer and sound designer with a focus on emotionally driven scores and immersive audio landscapes. He has crafted music for independent films, short narratives, and experimental projects, blending traditional instrumentation with modern sound design techniques. https://www.instagram.com/voxex_music/
Sound:
- Keris Collier is a producer and sound professional with experience coordinating productions from preproduction through postproduction. He has contributed to independent films and short projects, ensuring smooth workflow, clear communication, and quality audio integration. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15835230/
Set Design:
- Ihor Sokolov is a versatile production designer and lighting artist with experience across independent films and short-form narrative projects. He has worked on creating immersive sets and lighting environments that enhance mood and psychological tension. https://www.instagram.com/s_ooogi/
- Monica Coppola is a multidisciplinary film artist whose work spans acting, art direction, and camera/electrical departments.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
FALLING INTO THE SOUND follows Jaehoon, a Korean-American K-pop idol who secretly reignites his underground hip-hop roots during a U.S. tour, when his management company collapses overnight, leaving his group stranded, silenced, and broke. Forced to choose between solo freedom and collective survival, he must decide whether authenticity is something you claim alone or something you build together.
This film asks:
What do we sacrifice to move forward on a splitting path?
Behind the scenes shot from FOLLOWED (2024).
Why This Story
This is a story about creativity, authenticity, and the prices of fame and freedom.
Global audiences see K-pop for the precision and spectacle and dedicated fandom. Beneath the glittering lights are real people, many of whom were quite young when they took the big risk to join a K-pop company.
This story isn't a critique of the K-pop system, it merely poses the questions of careers, life paths, and changing priorities within the context of this industry.
A shot from our short, CHECKMATES (2025).
Many of us grew up dreaming of fame, some tried it, and a few maybe even tasted it. Whether your childhood dream was to be the next Britney Spears (hey, middle school me!) or to follow in your dad’s footsteps as a bookkeeper, it’s likely that your dreams and goals changed at some point, right?
That’s easy enough if all you need to do is change your major or apply for a new job.
But what if your entire identity – not to mention the attention of millions of people – was tied to a decision you made at 15?
My draw to this story isn’t about fame and fortune, but agency vs. collaboration, refined systems vs. messy creativity, who you’ve found yourself becoming vs. who you always dreamed you’d be.
I listened to the first Agust D mixtape when it was released in 2016, then watched the comeback releases for WINGS, my first experience with BTS. (If you're unfamiliar, I HIGHLY recommend doing a side-by-side rabbit hole.) I thought, “How can Agust D and SUGA be the same person? How can that not feel like being ripped into two?”
The first draft of this script was a biopic about Yoongi as SUGA and Agust D, written in a whirlwind in late 2016-early 2017. Then as time passed, I read the stories of Tablo, TVXQ, and Jay Park back then, and for recent updates, I watched the corporate nonsense around FIFTY-FIFTY and Newjeans and read what I could about eaJ leaving Day6 and EXO being reduced to 6.
The story grew into a fully original tale, inspired by all these real experiences, but the core question remained the same:
How can someone follow two different paths when both and neither feel perfectly like home?
This particular draft really leans into the group dynamic, so much so that it could end up being a true ensemble piece. As such, a key experiment in this project is to treat a feature script like a TV writers’ room. There will be three writers: myself, Aster Hwang, and Kat Burgess. Kat and Aster bring incredibly unique perspectives that I am absolutely thrilled to see reflected in the story. Aster is a multi-hyphenate creator with a keen insight into being a performer in Korea and America. Kat is one of those writers you talk to and think, "She's going places." Then you read her pages (even the ones she claims are trash), and you're certain she is.
Behind the scenes shot from our short, CHAMELEON (2024).
How do we fit into the SEED&SPARK AAPI Renaissance Rally?
A lot of uninspired folks fully equate Korea with K-pop now, but the view of K-pop still lacks a great deal of nuance. K-POP DEMON HUNTERS gave us a bad ass girl group fantasy spin with some top tier tunes, but what about the more grounded, realistic version? What happens when everything isn’t fawning fans and sick beats?
This is not a story about a villainous industry or a hero who “escapes” it.
It’s about agency inside a system, friendship under pressure, and choosing between loyalty or independence.
(Or perhaps some secret, third option...)
Tone & World
Image featuring posters from A STAR IS BORN (2018) and SING STREET (2016).
Comps: A Star Is Born’s industry intensity with Sing Street’s ensemble soul.
This film lives in three sonic and visual spaces:
The Idol World
Precision. Saturated lights. Choreography so tight it feels mechanical. The camera moves like it’s part of the stage rigging.
The Underground World
Handheld. Intimate. Dim clubs and open mics. Breath in the mic. Sweat on the floor. Lyrics that aren’t committee-approved.
The Real World
Muted. Fluorescent aisles. Ill-fitting jeans and borrowed sneakers. Grocery lists. Suburban stillness that feels heavier than any spotlight.
Image featuring visuals from BTS Love Yourself: Her, Version E concept, LADY BIRD (2017), and 8 MILE (2002) to depict tone.
What Your Support Does
We’re raising funds to move FALLING INTO THE SOUND into its next stage of development and production: securing key creative collaborators, refining music production, locking locations, and building a visually cohesive world that honors both the idol system and the underground scene.
Your support helps us:
- Develop original music that feels authentic to both worlds
- Compensate cast and crew fairly
- Protect time for rehearsal and performance prep
Join Us
Back the campaign! Follow the project! Share it with someone who has ever felt split between who they are and who they’re expected to be!
AI usage notice: We did use Claude Code to help us develop the fake livestream UI and the text-based chats occasionally to help keep things organized. To help offset the effects, we have been donating a recurring, monthly contribution to NAACP's "Stop Dirty Data Centers" campaign from our personal funds.
All other images, video, and audio are (to the best of our knowledge) not AI-generated. We have no intention of using generative AI in our film.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Travel
Costs $3,000
Flights (some international), temporary housing, and ground transport so non-local cast and crew can actually show up.
Crew Pay
Costs $2,000
Partial living wages for the artists bringing this story to life. Check our full crew list to see if there are any gaps to be filled!
Locations
Costs $1,500
A suburban house, rehearsal space, and real-world venues to ground the story.
Production Design
Costs $1,500
Wardrobe and props that contrast idol polish with fragile survival.
Equipment
Costs $2,500
Camera, lighting, and sound support to capture both spectacle and intimacy.
Crafty
Costs $2,000
Hot meals, snacks, and caffeine for a longer-term shoot (25-30 days) with hungry humans.
Insurance & Legal
Costs $2,000
Protection, contracts, and paperwork, particularly around insurance and potential visas.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Devin (Story by/Co-writer/Executive Producer)
- Devin Overman is a Dallas-based screenwriter and indie filmmaker drawn to stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and extraordinary people doing ordinary things. Her work spans novels, features, series, and short films, often blending genres and influences into narratives that are commercially viable but with a surprise depth.
Kat (Co-writer)
- Kat Burgess is a writer and editor living in Virginia. With a degree in philosophy, she always aligns herself with projects that focus on the human experience and exploring the 'why' behind people's decisions. When not writing or watching procedural tv shows, you can find her reading and reviewing books.
Aster (Co-writer/Actor)
- Aster Hwang is a writer, actor, and performer based out of New York. He created an original TV series concept, ZETA DELTA CHI, developed from his Huffington Post essay about his experience transitioning as a transmasculine, bisexual Korean international student in a queer fraternity.
Ali (Producer)
- Alison Dumbell is a Los Angeles-based Talent and Literary Manager and WGA Signatory who represents American and Asian actors and writers. She brings a practical "LA touch" to project packaging, helping creators navigate the Hollywood system to ensure their stories reach a global audience.
Full list of who is involved
We’re dedicated to getting this done and getting it done right, so we’ve already been reaching out to folks we’ve worked with and asked for referrals from folks who are willing to help us make something great.
Cast:
- Hayden Won (원성연) is a South Korean actor known for roles in television series such as He is Psychometric (2019), The Uncanny Counter (2020-2021), Love Next Door (2024), and Missing Crown Prince (2024).
- Aster Hwang (one of our co-writers!) is a writer, actor, and performer based out of New York. He created an original TV series concept, ZETA DELTA CHI, developed from his Huffington Post essay about his experience transitioning as a transmasculine, bisexual Korean international student in a queer fraternity.
- Edward Treminio is an award winning Actor, Writer, Director from Dallas, Texas with over 20 years of experience in Theatre and Film. He was most recently seen in various Short Films such as, One More Shot, Masterwork Meltdown, and Toil & Trouble. The latter of which he won Best Individual Comedic Performance at the Dallas 48 Hour Film Project competition.
Production:
- Argentina Reeves is a director, producer, and actress working across independent narrative film. Her projects include Persephone, Kill Blade, and Evelyn, where she has led creative development and production execution. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16019851
- Douglas Xavier is a filmmaker with experience directing, writing, editing, and managing productions for both narrative and festival-driven projects. His work demonstrates a strong command of storytelling, post-production, and organizational oversight.
Cinematography:
- Eugene Hawkins is a Texas-based cinematographer and director known for visually grounded genre storytelling and emotionally resonant imagery. His work spans independent narrative films including Nail Gun (2021), Pure Hands (2021), and The Sacrifice (2020). https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5779297/
- Richard Duryea is a cinematographer and director with a foundation in both visual storytelling and creative writing. He has collaborated with industry figures including Robert Townsend, ASC cinematographer Dean Cundey, and artist Gerard Way. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4570876/
- Larry Wright is a cinematographer and producer with experience spanning studio features and independent films. His work includes the major studio release Miracles from Heaven and recent narrative projects such as Veiled in Flesh and New Hire. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4726832
Electrical:
- Johnny Ortega is a multi-disciplinary filmmaker working across producing, editing, performance, and technical departments. His experience spans narrative shorts and independent productions such as Last Call, Kill Blade, and A Million More to Go. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12745552/
Music:
- Jihoon Bae is a Seoul-based Korean music producer and audio mixing engineer who has worked with artists like Mamamoo, Chung Ha, Roa, J Stellar, and Jiae. https://soundcloud.com/baeoffical
- Bryce Allen is a composer and sound designer with a focus on emotionally driven scores and immersive audio landscapes. He has crafted music for independent films, short narratives, and experimental projects, blending traditional instrumentation with modern sound design techniques. https://www.instagram.com/voxex_music/
Sound:
- Keris Collier is a producer and sound professional with experience coordinating productions from preproduction through postproduction. He has contributed to independent films and short projects, ensuring smooth workflow, clear communication, and quality audio integration. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15835230/
Set Design:
- Ihor Sokolov is a versatile production designer and lighting artist with experience across independent films and short-form narrative projects. He has worked on creating immersive sets and lighting environments that enhance mood and psychological tension. https://www.instagram.com/s_ooogi/
- Monica Coppola is a multidisciplinary film artist whose work spans acting, art direction, and camera/electrical departments.