Not truly Korean but inspired by its story, Seoul Searching is a movie I found on Netflix depicting the live of Korean decendants raised in different countries. it features mostly foreign born Koreans and it’s up on Netflix.
Name: Seoul Searching
Country: USA, South Korea
Language: English, South Korean, Japanese, German, Spanish
Filming Locations: Seoul, Kintex and Cheongjang, South Korea
Release Date: 15 december 2017 (USA)
Runtime: 105 mins
Cast:
Justin Chon as Sid Park
Jessika Van as Grace Park
In-Pyo Cha as Mr. Kim
Teo Yoo as Klaus Kim
Esteban Ahn as Sergio Kim
Rosalina Lee as Kris Schultz
Albert Kong as Mike Song
Heejun Han as Chow
Crystal Kay as Jamie
Nekhebet Kum Juch as Jackie Im
Uatchet Jin Juch as Judy Im
Sue Son as Sara Han
Guyhwa Choi as Mr. Chae
Seong-guk Choi as Gangster Song
David Lee McInnis as Sergeant Gallagher
Budget: $2,100,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA: $8,966, 19 June 2016, Limited Release
Gross USA: $18,654, 26 June 2016
Plot
During the 1980s, the Korean government created a special summer camp for “gyopo” or foreign born teenagers where they could spend their summer in Seoul to learn about their motherland. While the intentions of the program were honorable, the activities of the teens were not. The program was eventually cancelled after a few years because the government simply could not control the youth. Seoul Searching is a teen comedy and coming of age film, based on a true story about one of the summer camps that took place in 1986.
Opinion
5/10
I’m going to be honest with you, this movie.. is okay, but definitly not good. If you have moment to spare and want to watch something without thinking too much this is the one for you. The plot is stolen from The Breakfast Club. It doesn’t make a lot of sense at all since everyone seems so clearly to be overdoing their character. except for maybe Klaus and Kris who seem to be the most normal in the bunch. It’s American-ified Korean acting, which is always a bit over the top anyway.
HOWEVER, I enjoyed watching it, I shed a tear here and there and I did kind of like it. It’s not all bad but it could have been much better.
I watched it on Netflix NL.
