Synopsis:
Seoul, 1986. A raucous gaggle of Korean teenagers spill out of the Gimpo Airport and onto buses that transport them to a location just outside the city. There, these high schoolers sent from all over the world—the U.S., Mexico, London, and Hamburg—are participating in a government-sponsored summer program to help them connect with their heritage. With a summer of partying ahead of them, they’re on a crash course to bring shame to their families, their ancestors, and their hosts—but with any luck, they might just figure out how to make friends, fall in love, and absorb some of their roots along the way.
What We Thought:
Seoul Searching is a charming little film with heart and laughs. It’s also quite educational.
You can call me ignorant, but I had no idea foreign born Korean kids could go to Seoul in the 1980’s and learn about their culture. That’s pretty cool actually. If I was Korean, I would have definitely done it.
If you are thinking it’s just a film about Korean kids learning what their motherland has to offer, you’re wrong. At its core, it’s an 80’s summer camp film with crazy characters, teachers and shenanigans.
All the campers came from different parts of the world and they were all “Fish Out of Water” characters. Some of them couldn’t even speak or write Korean. There’s the expected clash of personalities and breaking rules and regulations you expect in a summer camp movie.
There’s drinking and trying to hook up with other campers. There’s dancing and partying. There’s making friends and getting into fights. And falling in love for the first time. Classic 80’s stuff.
Speaking of classic 80’s stuff, the film is full of 80’s music and clothing. The one lead male is a punk named Sid after Sid Vicious. The lead female dresses like Madonna. You have the preppy kid. You have the twins with side pony tails. Even the kids who were into early rap and hip hop. Everything you remember about 80’s style is here.
I grew up watching 80’s summer flicks so this was right up my alley. You always have the kid who says he can hold his liquor (but can’t) and brags about being with a ton of ladies (but hasn’t). This also has a Mexican-Korean character who has a Latino Heat type of personality and loves his senoritas. Just good stuff.
Plus, you learn about Korean culture. One character was adopted by a white family and wanted to learn about her mother. You learn what these people went through and why so many left the country in the first place. Although I will say the film doesn’t portray Korean men all that well. Again, call me ignorant because I don’t know if it’s true, but many talk about their fathers being drunks and abusive.
Seoul Searching is a quality little film more people should find out about and watch. If you grew up on summer camp movies like me, you’ll like it. If you are Korean, you’ll like it. If you want to learn more about growing up Korean, you’ll definitely learn that. Great music, 80’s styling, heart and great characters make the movie…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Cast & Crew:
- Justin Chon
- Jessika Van
- In-Pyo Cha
- Teo Yoo
- Esteban Ahn
- Executive Produce Ken Jeong
- Rosalina Leigh
Recommended If You Like:
- K-Town Cowboys
- 1980’s Flicks
Follow me @murraymaker
Join the Seoul Searching CAST AND CREW at our private premiere after party — an ’80s PROM! Buy a movie ticket for opening weekend in NYC (June 17-19) or LA (June 24-26) and show proof of purchase to get into the after party for FREE. We’ll have Killer ‘80s Music all night long! Come in your ugliest, er most awesome, ’80s outfits and take a date to the movie and prom!!
NYC 80’s Prom – June 17th, 8:00PM – 4:30AM
Circle Nightclub (Admission with movie ticket between 8pm-11pm ONLY)
135 W 41st St New York, NY 10036
Here’s our New York City Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/699134570189070/
JUNE 17th – 19th, AMC EMPIRE 25 TIME SQUARE
LA 80’s Prom – June 24th, 9:30PM – 2:00AM
The Majestic Downtown (Admission with movie ticket)
650 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Here’s our Los Angeles Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/488158224713068/
JUNE 24th – 26th, LAEMMLE FINE ARTS
The Nerds Templar 