Seoul Searching 2015- U.S./South Korea

Seoul Searching is a film unlike any of the other films we review on this channel. Why you may ask? It has yet to be completely distributed in theatres. Directed by Benson Lee, a Korean-American filmmaker who was the creator behind Planet B-Boy, his newest film, Seoul Searching, made its debut as an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival and even went on to win the Audience Award at CAAMFEST. It was recently announced that the film will be breaking into 50 theatres in the U.S. and Canada this coming May. So, if you find this review enticing, make sure you check it out when it is released! I was very fortunate to see this film at the Dallas Asian Film Festival last year, where Director Lee was in attendance. Though this film is more of an American film than a South Korean film, with the amazing storyline, and how much this film deserves to be seen by everyone, It HAD to  be reviewed.

Based off real "gyopo" summer camps in South Korea, that were eventually shut down because the government could not handle the campers, Seoul Searching is an exciting, coming of age story. Based in 1986, a group of foreign born Koreans and half-Koreans spend their summer in Seoul to learn more about their motherland and the culture they know little to nothing about. It has a very Breakfast Club type feel with a multicultural twist to it that really makes this film such a joy to watch. The film has an array of characters ranging from Sid an American born Korean punk played by Justin Chon (21 and Over), Klaus, a German born Korean (Teo Yoo), Sergio, the hilarious Mexican born Korean (Esteban Ahn) Grace, an American born Korean (Jessika Van), and Kris an adopted Korean (Rosalina Leigh), to name  just a few. 

Though the characters are a handful at the beginning of the film as they sneak off campus, drink alcohol, fall in love, and fight with a school of Japanese students, each character has a substantial amount of growth that allows audience goers to fall in love with each character and storyline. Personally, Sergio the Mexican-Korean was my all time favorite character. The comedic relief he brings to the film is laugh out loud funny! 

This film is a breath of fresh air, and really is a movie I believe could bring Asian stars and films more to the main screen. With TV shows like Fresh off the Boat bringing an Asian American family to our living room TVs, Seoul Searching could easily do the same in movie theatres. 

This film is an emotional roller coaster of teenage angst that really shines a light on things people of a nationality that are born outside of their home country really face, and it is wonderful to see Director Lee take such a fun and entertaining way to share these stories. 
If you want to show the film support, head on over to their Facebook page to learn more. You can click HERE.

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER FOR SEOUL SEARCHING BELOW

If you have seen this film, let us know what you think in the comments below!

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❥W