Filmmakers on Kling AI Panel Warn That Traditional Craft Expertise Is Essential to Avoid Generic AI Output

At the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan, Kling AI hosted a panel of directors and producers who argued that cinematography expertise — art direction, framing, lighting — remains indispensable even when working with AI video tools. Korean blockbuster director Kim Sung-soo, who is using Kling AI to make short film Worm Train, told the audience: "Technology does not replace creativity. The value of images still comes from human intervention." Director Harry Hyun echoed the point, warning that without experienced crew members, AI productions risk looking identical to one another — same lighting, same framing, "cookie cutter deliverables."

Panelists also touched on emerging crew dynamics and workflow shifts. Chinese animator Li Wei, working on AI-assisted animated feature Born Of The Tide, highlighted how the immediacy of AI outputs enables faster crew feedback loops. Producer Lee Sang-wook from MBC C&I AI Contents Lab — whose upcoming series Rendering Love blends live-action with AI-generated characters — stressed that every team member must stay current with rapidly evolving models or overall quality suffers. The group broadly agreed it is too early to impose formal industry standards, preferring to let creative experimentation lead.