By Honorary Reporter Debolina from India
Photos = Anurag Raj

Jennie from the K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has released the music video for her latest solo single "Zen." 

The clip is a visual masterpiece, prompting me to interview one of the visual effects (VFX) editors behind it, Anurag Raj.

Below are excerpts from an email interview with Raj from Feb. 7-11.

Briefly introduce yourself.
I am Anurag Raj from Goa, India, a VFX artist with over four years of experience. I specialize in bringing imaginative visuals to life, working on music videos, commercials and films. Most recently, I worked on Jennie's "Zen" music video. I've also worked with Chris Brown, ASAP Rocky, Travis Scott, Sia and David Guetta.

Why did you pursue a career in VFX?
From a young age, I was captivated by films and music videos using VFX to create breathtaking and immersive worlds. The ability of visual effects to enhance storytelling and engage audiences inspired me to follow this path. Creativity and uniqueness have always been my guiding principles, which is why one of my personal taglines is "Be the Exception."

How was working on Jennie's music video for "Zen?"
It was an incredible experience. My role was compositing and a bit of FX work; I'm mainly a compositor. We wanted to create a visual aesthetic matching Jennie's artistic vision, blending surreal and earth elements with striking cinematic visuals. The project was fast-paced but collaborating with a talented team made it rewarding.

How much has VFX evolved?
VFX has evolved significantly thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, real-time rendering and virtual production. The ability to create high-quality visuals with more efficiency has expanded creative possibilities. Streaming platforms and demand for visually stunning content in music videos, films and even social media have also driven innovations. The future will be amazing.

 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.