His award-winning first feature film “The Motel” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. His second feature film “West 32nd” was the first fully financed U.S. feature film by Korean studio CJ Entertainment, starring John Cho, Grace Park and featured a cameo by Jung Jeon Ho. “West 32nd” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and had its international premiere at the Pusan International Film Festival. The film was released theatrically in Korea and garnered critical praise. That same year Michael received the Overseas Korean Filmmaker Award.