Korean Job Discussion Forums

[World Traveler]

When “Avengers: Age of Ultron” filmed in Seoul last year, the South Korean government spent close to $2 million to help cover the filmmakers’ costs, and cordoned off vital areas of the busy capital. Officials hoped that Seoul’s appearance in the movie would bring positive publicity, more big international film crews and more foreign tourists.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-south-korean-avengers-age-of-ultron-20150508-story.html

Some critics say Seoul looks bland and dirty in “Age of Ultron.” The main scene that takes place in Seoul is a chase along the Han River, which bisects the city of nearly 10 million. The river is not particularly picturesque, and the scene shows the Avengers racing along and below concrete expressways, next to blocks of apartments. The scene concludes in what appears to be a run-down, grungy area.

"We all really looked forward to seeing the movie, but what we saw was just several minutes of an ugly and horrid city," said Byun Eun-kyo, a 21-year-old college student.

Another filming location was Seoul’s shiny Gangnam area, made famous by singer Psy’s viral hit of 2012. Critics complain that there is nothing in any of the scenes to make clear to viewers that the action is happening in Seoul, and thus, the PR effect the government said “Age of Ultron” would have is lacking.

“It is doubtful any foreign visitors have been fired up to come to Seoul after watching the film. It looks like the only ones laughing all the way to the bank are the producers, who got a massive discount on top of their stellar global earnings,” wrote Yoo Jin-woo, a journalist at the Chosun Ilbo, South Korea’s most widely circulated newspaper.

[metalhead]

That title is misleading as hell as it implies that Seoul has a beautiful side.

[northway]

It's a movie, not a freaking tourist promotional video.

[Died By Bear]

Some Koreans didn't like what they saw of their city?


Awww, that's too bad.

[Bongotruck]

Maybe put litter in the bin, dont drop ciggie butts everywhere, get rid of all of those crappy food carts everywhere. That would be a good start to a more beautiful city.

[Porksta]

It looked to me like Korean Air got their money's worth.

[edwardcatflap]

[jazzmaster]

This cracks me up. What did they expect?

Iron Man - "Let's go to Seoul in South Korea."
Thor - "Good idea. That city is almost as good as wherever the hell I'm from."
Hulk - "Seoul is so amazing I'll never get angry."
Everyone - "Hahahahaha good one!"
Scarlet Johansen - "Korean girls are the most beautiful in the world, especially in Gangnam. They make me look like the arse end of a dog!"
The clown with the Bow - "They sure do. And the food is amazing! Do you know kimchi?"
Everyone - "Of course. Everyone loves kimchi etc"

The city is not picturesque. Special effects have only come so far. Even they can't make Seoul look good.

[actionjackson]

[Qonny]

I predicted the Korean reaction as I watched the film.

What did they expect? What could they have done to make Seoul look nicer? Use post editing to get rid of the constant haze that hangs over the city (and most of the county)? Filmed amongst the tat at Insadong?

It's not Tokyo, it doesn't have that bladerunner neon look.
It's not Hong Kong it hasn't got a harbour.
It has got a river. Polluted and grungey as it is.

Maybe they could have dressed up in hanbok and done battle in them. Or just filmed in Tokyo and lied and said it was Seoul.

[jvalmer]

Should of filmed it in Busan, much nicer skyline.

[Died By Bear]

[metalhead]

[Smithington]

The Han River on a sunny day can be quite beautiful. The rows of tall white buildings against the blue sky and blue river is quite inspired in my opinion.

But yeah, the city itself is rather ugly. No debate.

[Underwaterbob]

Yeah, if they wanted Korea to look nice, they should have shot it almost anywhere else in the country besides Seoul. Look what Peter Jackson did for New Zealand. Korea's got some locales as beautiful as the places in the LotR movies. None of them are in Seoul.