Seoul Recap

Earlier this year I took my first trip to Korea for a filmmaker lab sponsored by the Korean Film Council. It's compelling to think I was finally able to visit my motherland through my art and career. Here's some of the staff at a dinner in Pusan a few months ago..



After 5 months of writing and 2 trips across the Pacific, I was deeply humbled when they announced today my script WINTER WAR won the 2008 KOFIC FDL Award, especially since I was in company of other very talented filmmakers. Variety mentioned it today which can be read here. So with all this talk of Korea, thought it was fitting to recap my 2nd trip to Seoul, exclusively right now! Right away at the park in Hongdae, a Calico sticker from the summer trip..



Next morning, greeted with a classic Korean spread..



If you've never been to Seoul, think New York x 5. The number of skyscrapers are staggering. Just from the plane, it looks as if a hardcore gamer played Sim City 4 with a cheat code! Now, the value of the buildings I'm not too sure about.



Hopped on the subway..



Thought we were ready for unification. Look what I found!



When in Korea, you see tons of these barber shop swirls everywhere.



You would probably think, "Damn, kimchee must grow your hair fast! Why so many barber shops?" Well these aren't barber shops my friend - they're massage parlours. Although prostitution is illegal in Korea, the police just turn a blind eye. Kept it moving, the street food is perfect for the traveler on the run, inexpensive and fast. And pretty tasty too..





Some not so much. Strange fruit you can only find in Asia!



Sunset over the Han River..



Took a cab to Gangnam, Seoul's modern center. Electricity..





Andre and I stopping traffic..



John, who used to sing in a mega Korean pop band popular in the 90's, came with..



Took a ride to Itaewon with my producer friend Stream Lee.



Itaewon is the district adjacent to the US military base, so the area's flooded with Western-ish people. We stayed all but one hour. Day 7 of travel over. Crashed hard and woke up early to head to Tokyo. Stay tuned..

Pusan Film Festival '08

I arrived in Pusan, South Korea - after a mere 16 hours! I, like many of you, am not a fan of flying! But luckily I flew Korean Air where they have a superb selection of entertainment. I got to enjoy an interestingly simple film called THE PROMOTION, starring John C. Reilly and Seann William Scott. They both play endearing supermarket employees competing to be manager of a new location. Think Stifler did a great job. And finally isn't Stifler. Here's the trailer:


First thing I do when I touch concrete? Korean street food, yummy!



Checked in to the Seacloud Hotel. Turned on the tube for some Korean reality TV..



Next morning woke up to a beautiful view, Pusan's like the Cannes of Asia!



Met up with the Korean Film Council, led by the hilariously deadpan Roger Garcia..



Hit the street for meetings at the Paradise Hotel - super jetlagged!



Took a nice brisk walk that night..



Next night, had dinner with KOFIC and LEE Joo-ick (THE LAUNDRY WARRIOR) and OH Jung-wan(WOMAN ON THE BEACH), a couple of revered Korean producers. On our way to the CJ Entertainment party, Jung-wan made sure she got pretty!



The level of fanaticism at Pusan is wild. Seriously, like Korean Beatlemania! Tons of girls were going wild for this guy. I'm sorry to say I had no idea who he was. But still took his picture, woooo!



Producer and AFI Professor Barry Sabath, Oh Jung-wan, and myself.



All the Hoegaarden had me tired. That's beer okay. Back to my office where I got my grind on. Writing my new thriller entitled WINTER WAR..



The next night..



Filmmakers heisting beers.



Walking home, found my royal lap dog friend. It's been some time!



The next morning, saying goodbye. Breakfast with my new friend Viktoria Krestina.



No, she's not an actress. She's with Kino Film.



On my way to Seoul, some ominous news about the health of the Korean film industry.