#benson lee

[diversityinfilmtv]

Seoul Searching: Invites us into the secret life of Asian teenagers

Seoul Searching offers a new take on the endearing coming of age 1980’s comedy. The movie features actors Justin Chon, Jessika Van, In-Pyo Cha and Teo Yoo to name a few. Director and writer Benson Lee produces one of the few American films that invites audiences into global Asian youth culture.

Set in the 1980’s, the story focuses on a group of diverse Korean high school teens from around the globe, who come to Korean to a special summer camp for foreign born youth. On this cultural adventure, they spend their summer in Seoul to learn about their ancestral home but end up learning more about each other.

Although the intentions of the camp are honorable, the activities of the teens are not. Seoul Searching will be released on June 17, 2016, so check out the trailer below and enjoy.

[filmatbest]

Seoul Searching

Seoul Searching takes on the gargantuan task of exposing the hypercomplexity of Korean identity, and if it doesn't fully realize the humanity of all the individuals at the intersections of identity it sheds much-needed light on some of those most underrepresented within an already fractured community. There's of course the literal political division of Korea into North and South, but recognizing the diaspora's fault lines among aspects of nationality, language and gender, not to mention those who are adopted or mixed race, creates a disparate portrait of the Korean community that is even more difficult to reconcile under a single label.

Seoul Searching takes on an overt approach to this topic overall - in the beginning, the sunsaengnim even asks, "What does being Korean mean to you?" to predictable effect. But the kind of narratives that this film mines around the tenuousness of Korean identity are so true-to-life and relatable that what's really important is the opportunity to see these people from different walks of life interact with each other and build mutual understanding. Nobody walks away knowing exactly what it means to be Korean, but that's also an impossible task, and more of a journey than an outcome.

The ensemble is so large that not every character feels fully fleshed out, but then again some stories are more captivating than others, such as the relationship between Kris and Klaus, or the grudging respect that Sid and Mr. Kim develop for each other. Seoul Searching also doesn't seem to know exactly how to end, but for the most part these characters' coming-of-age is satisfying if the conventionality feels slightly artificial.

2021/08/28

[madmovieman]

Want to see the South Korean perception of Western teenagers? Then have a watch of Seoul Searching, a heartfelt and fun Korean take on US 80s teen movies. Here’s my review.

[bkenber]

Exclusive Interview with Justin Chon about 'Seoul Searching'

Exclusive Interview with Justin Chon about ‘Seoul Searching’

In Benson Lee’s “Seoul Searching,” Justin Chon plays Sid Park, a rebellious teenager and a punk rocker whose truancy and defiance of adult authority knows no bounds. Sid is one of many teenagers forced to spend the summer of 1986 in Seoul at a camp for “gyopo” or foreign born teenagers where they can learn more about their homeland, Korea. It’s no surprise that he doesn’t want to be there and he…

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[bkenber]

In Benson Lee’s “Seoul Searching,” Justin Chon plays Sid Park, a rebellious teenager and a punk rocker whose truancy and defiance of adult authority knows no bo

[bkenber]

It took him 16 years, but writer and director Benson Lee finally succeeded in bringing his most personal project, “Seoul Searching,” to the silver screen.

[bkenber]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN42JjLiOMw)

[aabany-group]

On Friday, June 17, AABANY co-hosted “Movie Night: Seoul Searching” with the Asian American Arts Alliance, Harvard Asian American Alumni Association. Harvard Business School Asian American Alumni Association, FF Fraternity, and Cornell Asian American Alumni Association. Our combined efforts brought 60 people to the sold-out 7:10 theatrical premiere of this indie film written and directed by Benson Lee. 

For some in our group, the film brought back memories of a bygone time and place. For everyone, it reinforced the importance of cultural identity, friendship and family. The film, which featured a dynamic and international cast, balanced light-hearted moments of laughter with dramatic scenes filled with tension and tears. Our crowd gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

After the screening, members of the cast and the film’s producers fielded questions from a full-house of appreciative audience members. Following the screening, a large contingent walked over to Circle night club for the after-party, which featured music from the ‘80s and quite a few people dressed up as if they were from the ‘80s.

“Seoul Searching” will play at AMC Empire 25 through June 23 and will open in LA on June 24. If you were not able to join us for opening night, you can still join our Tax Committee’s group trip on June 22. Go see it!

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the film, and thanks to Brigitte Noh, one of the film’s producers and an attorney herself, for bringing this wonderful film and experience to us all.