ZenKimchi

In 2003, when I was getting ready to come to Korea, I had a hard time finding any info on Korea, particularly videos on what living there was like. The best thing I found at the time was this little documentary made by Jiyan Wei, posted on his web site Drift Reality.There’s something about the homespun etherealness of these videos that keeps me coming back to them. Miguk was my inspiration to do videos in Korea, and it’s had an influence on my style.

Posted below are the segments in order with Jiyan’s comments on each. My comments are in italics.

Opening Credits (Arrival in Seoul) – This clip explores some of my initial motivation for deciding to go to Korea in the first place. The footage was actually shot at the airport at Dubai International Airport.

The opening sort of reminds me of the opening of Lost in Translation… minus Scarlett Johansson’s butt.

Mare Tenebrarum – My attempt to describe the feeling of being overwhelmed by the experience of arriving in Seoul. The song is “Out of the Blue” by System F and the footage is of the highways surrounding Seoul.

Very similar to my feelings upon arriving in Seoul. Except I arrived at night, and there was a lot more flashing neon.

Baptism (First Day of Teaching) – The day after I arrived in Seoul, the institute had me teaching classes. As you can well imagine, it did not go very smoothly. The footage was all shot at ECC Dongjak.

I have found myself imitating the “good” English teacher in this video.

Glide (My Friends in Korea) – One of the things that kept me sane in Korea was the friends I made. Commiseration is probably accountable for more saved lives than penicillin. I shot this piece in my apartment in Dongjak-Gu.

Note how Gordon’s girlfriend looks extremely bored… and HOT! When I saw this video, I thought, if that guy Gordon can get a beautiful woman like that–I’m going to love Korea.

Fences and Fish – Shortly after arriving in Seoul and beginning my job at the institute, I realized I was doomed. The music is courtesy of Mauro Picotto’s Double Album and the footage was shot in Dongjak-Gu.

This is the video that pulls me in to watch this documentary again. This conveys the feelings of culture shock and isolation many feel in their first month or two.

Climbing (Adjusting to Korean Culture) – DDR machines and karaoke on buses – these were the times that I realized I was in another country. The footage was shot in a Seoul shopping center, Dongjak-Gu, and a charter bus.

I particularly like the karaoke machine in this video. This also reveals the age of the videos–DDR is a new exotic thing in this one.

Immersion – In this clip, I attempt to convey a sense of my embrace of Seoul. The footage was shot in the Seoul subways, Namdaemun market, and my apartment in Dongjak-Gu. The music is courtesy of G.O.D.

Oh my G.O.D! That song gets stuck in your head. NOTE: The embedded video doesn’t seem to work. Click on the link to watch it.

Taekwondo – Taekwondo and my dojung were a vital aspect of my experience in Seoul. I don’t think I would have had the mental or physical strength to make it through if not for my dojung. This clip was shot at Woosung Taekwondo in Dongjak-Gu.

Slough (Dealing with the Grind in Korea) – This segment describes the underlying pressure of living in Korea. The footage is taken from the Seoul metro, ECC Dongjak, and a beach in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka. The song is from Mauro Picotto’s Double Album.

Another mood piece.

Floating – In some ways, this piece expresses the same process as Slough, but without the stress. The music is from Buddy Guy’s album, Buddy’s Blues.

What is it with these dorky guys getting hot girlfriends? Oh yeah… I’m one of them.

Kid Bowling – Kevin Cowell was my antithesis – he was actually a good teacher who students liked. Here is a clip that shows a game he devised, called “Kid Bowling.” Footage shot in ECC Dongjak.

I’ve actually tried this a few times.

Escapade – A night in Itaewon is definitely something to be experienced, but not more than once. The song is Black Legend’s “You See the Trouble with Me.”

I agree with those sentiments. I see that the subway is the Number 4 Line subway–the one I have been taking since I arrived in Korea. And I think it’s the cleanest and best smelling out of them all.

Bliss – Dong Mi is one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting – I hope I do her justice in this piece filmed in Itaewon. Originally, I had a voice-over narration to support the piece but realized it was probably better to leave it out and just let the music, Moby’s Novio, and footage describe the moment.

Again, beautiful girlfriend.

Coda – It sounds so cheesy to write, but ultimately, the people are what you remember. The footage of my going-away party was shot at the West India Cafe, my favorite bar, in Dongjak-Gu.

Now, I think I read in his journals or somewhere that he spent nine months in Korea. Hmm… did someone not finish a contract?

Credits and Drunken Antics – No film is complete without drunken antics. Special thanks to Judd Hutchings for starring in these clips. The song is from Mauro Picotto’s Double Album.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 at 1:59 pm and is filed under Shameless Self Promotion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.