The Story Behind NSN (1)

I thought the company name should be simple. The simpler it is, the easier it is to remember and the longer it will last. So I thought about it. I had to find a name that best describes what we do. A name that is not too flashy, but can contain us enough.

That's how NSN was born. At first, it felt a little cold. It had a hard, metallic sound. But as time went by, the name became familiar to me. It had a deep charm as much as it was simple.

(The logo design was outsourced. It was the best we could do at the time.)

NSN represents three teams: Nama (Nama Art Center), SangSang (SangSang Gong Jack So), and Native. These three teams each do different things, but they all move in the same direction. Nama is a team that builds sets. They carve wood, trim metal, and finish with paint to create a world. The results from their fingertips are fakes that seem ‘real.’ SangSang is a team of art directors. They design the mise-en-scène on the screen. The color of the light, the angle of the shadow, and the position of the apple on the table. They make the set not just a background, but a space that tells a story. Native is a team that prepares for the future. They explore the possibilities of technology and virtuality and challenge new areas such as virtual studios. Their work illuminates the path we will take in the future. Although there are other businesses in addition to the three subsidiaries, the fact that NSN’s roots are in production design remains unchanged.

But the story of NSN is not complete with just the teams. It was possible because there was a space where all these production activities were contained. At first, it was a small studio in Yangsuri Valley. It was truly humble. There was a basketball hoop and a small stream flowed beside it. Whenever I felt overwhelmed by work, I would throw a basketball or dip my feet in the stream. Perhaps those simple moments were what created the most important period for us.

And time passed. The small studio in Yangsuri transformed into a studio where global content was created. The spaces we created were no longer confined to Korea. Stories big and small were born in NSN’s space and spread out to the world.

NSN goes beyond simply building sets, designing mise-en-scène, and researching technology. We continue to put stories into spaces and create something from nothing. In this way, we are constantly creating new things and continuing our journey toward better spaces and stories. Above all, we want to create a sustainable environment for creators.

The name NSN is not just an acronym. It is our way of thinking, and also a journey that will never end. From the valley of Yangsuri to the global stage. The name of the journey where Nama creates the world, SangSang tells stories, and Native opens possibilities. That is NSN.

And the basketball hoop is still with us, one way or another.