Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

I recently got a DVD player and a membership at the largest video rental shop in a rather small town. It's been a bit of a disappointment, to say the least. The rental shop is pathetic. They have two small shelves of Korean and English DVDs, and most of the American films are terrible. The have a huge row of Korean VHS porn - far more VHS porn than total DVDs - and way more VHS in general. Major record shops are just as bad with selection. The have some American classics, a lot of kids cartoons, and some really odd stuff, but hardly anything from any culture I'd want to pay to watch.

What's the reason for this? Do most Koreans just pirate films off the Internet these days?

Is there any place in Daegu that offers a good selection for sale?

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

There is a great selection of pirated movies for sale all over Seoul, especially at Yongsan. 2000 for a rental vs. 5000 (and if you're lucky only 3000 or 4000) to buy, a lot of the time I'll just buy them and wait until I'm in the mood to watch them.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Go back to the shop and ask for a list of the DVDs available at the warehouse (or wherever they get their supply). The shop in Jinhae was happy to get it for me and order anything I wanted. It's likely your shop will too.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

This place is amazing. My students have already seen every new movie...ones that haven't even opened yet.

I wonder how many countries you can pay a small fee and download any software (including Photoshop CS, a very high-priced item) as well as almost any movie you can think of. Anarchy.

Homer · Guest

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:14 am Post subject:

Koreans like Western action flicks and romantic comedies.

Few Western dramas.

That said, I've kept my eye open and come across several good ones to buy.

As for Korean movies, you must be going to the wrong place. DVDs are plentiful at some shops. Depends where.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

The real question is why you rent movies when you can get about any movie you want on the internet. You can get movies that are still in the movie theaters.

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Illegal downloading has pretty much killed dvd rentals. No excuse for it really. Koreans are rich enough to rent originals. The gov. should do something about it. Stupid really because it's hurting the homegrown film industry too. Just shows you how short-sighted Koreans are. They don't give much thought to the future.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

If you have a computer, no need to rent. Although you can get illegal copies in the city dirt cheap.

Small towns and DVD players, or even VHS players, don't mix.

Does anyone know the best program now for downloading movies? Bit seems to be worse now.

europe2seoul · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul, Korea

happeningthang · Joined: 26 Apr 2003

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

I've found rental stores to be really hit or miss. They either have a wide selection of Korean, US, and Japanese DVDs, or they have almost nothing that would be even theoretically worth watching. And regardless, they are always jam-packed with VHS tapes. What's the deal with that?

They also stock some odd things. Things that went straight to video even in America, like "8MM 2", which I didn't even know existed.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I've noticed there aren't any big video rental chains operating here. That means each video store is run by some ajeossi who will decide all on his own just how many DVD's he will stock.

So it is pure hit and miss.

Fortunately, I hit. My local video store in Daechi-dong has literally thousands of DVD's. All genre's. A fantastic selection. All the great classics are there too.