By Kim Da-ye
Filming of scenes for "The Avengers: Age of Ultron," Sunday, excited some Seoul residents but triggered resentment in others.
Contrary to widespread concern, there were no traffic jams in areas around the Mapo Grand Bridge where the location shooting took place. The bridge links Mapo to Yeouido, the capital's financial hub.
Filming started at 6 a.m. on the eight-lane two-way bridge that was closed-off for about 12 hours.
"I think it's definitely good for tourism. Which will promote Seoul more ― the Avengers or Psy?" said Kyle Hildebrand, an American teaching English in Seoul.
Hildebrand arrived at the filming site around 7 a.m.
But by 11 a.m., he hadn't seen much action aside from what he thought was Mark Ruffalo, the actor who plays The Hulk, pass by. Later in the day, it was learned that this was the actor's double.
An exchange student at Sungkyunkwan University, who identified herself as Alison from Brunei, went to the bridge around 8 a.m. on the subway with two compatriots. She learned about the filming from her classmates and checked details about it online.
"Flowers are blooming. It's a good idea to film it now," the Bruneian said.
Yeouido was mostly crowded with people who had come to see the cherry blossom trees in bloom rather than film fans hoping to catch a glimpse of a star or two.
Many who visited the bridge in search of Hollywood glamour brought their children.
Three 11-year-old fourth graders, Chae Seung-bin, Kim Yoon-sung, and Kim Joon-hyun, brandished a placard with "Ironman" written on it and a picture of an Ironman glove. They said they are big fans of Marvel and watched Captain America on Saturday.
"We liked the fighting scenes the most," Chae said.
While some people agreed that the movie would promote Seoul, some felt the filming would provide few benefits to residents compared to the inconvenience they had to endure.
Kang Jung-hoon, a Yeouido resident, who cycled past the bridge together with his wife and daughter said, "This is just their party. Seoul residents have given up their comfort. The filming may promote Seoul, but citizens do not have any immediate benefits," Kang said.
He said that installing a screen showing promotional videos or life-size figures of action heroes near the scene would have been fun for children.
The roads connected to the Mapo Bridge weren't as congested as expected during the filming, and trains to and from the nearest subway station, Yeouinaru, were far from full.
Choi Tae-sik, a taxi driver, who passed by the International Financial Cemter towers, said there were no traffic jams because people were told in advance about the filming and the closure of the bridge. He said he didn't feel his business was affected in any way.
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| A child in a Captain America costume poses for a photo near Mapo Bridge in western Seoul, Sunday. / Yonhap |
Contrary to widespread concern, there were no traffic jams in areas around the Mapo Grand Bridge where the location shooting took place. The bridge links Mapo to Yeouido, the capital's financial hub.
Filming started at 6 a.m. on the eight-lane two-way bridge that was closed-off for about 12 hours.
"I think it's definitely good for tourism. Which will promote Seoul more ― the Avengers or Psy?" said Kyle Hildebrand, an American teaching English in Seoul.
Hildebrand arrived at the filming site around 7 a.m.
But by 11 a.m., he hadn't seen much action aside from what he thought was Mark Ruffalo, the actor who plays The Hulk, pass by. Later in the day, it was learned that this was the actor's double.
An exchange student at Sungkyunkwan University, who identified herself as Alison from Brunei, went to the bridge around 8 a.m. on the subway with two compatriots. She learned about the filming from her classmates and checked details about it online.
"Flowers are blooming. It's a good idea to film it now," the Bruneian said.
Yeouido was mostly crowded with people who had come to see the cherry blossom trees in bloom rather than film fans hoping to catch a glimpse of a star or two.
Many who visited the bridge in search of Hollywood glamour brought their children.
Three 11-year-old fourth graders, Chae Seung-bin, Kim Yoon-sung, and Kim Joon-hyun, brandished a placard with "Ironman" written on it and a picture of an Ironman glove. They said they are big fans of Marvel and watched Captain America on Saturday.
"We liked the fighting scenes the most," Chae said.
While some people agreed that the movie would promote Seoul, some felt the filming would provide few benefits to residents compared to the inconvenience they had to endure.
Kang Jung-hoon, a Yeouido resident, who cycled past the bridge together with his wife and daughter said, "This is just their party. Seoul residents have given up their comfort. The filming may promote Seoul, but citizens do not have any immediate benefits," Kang said.
He said that installing a screen showing promotional videos or life-size figures of action heroes near the scene would have been fun for children.
The roads connected to the Mapo Bridge weren't as congested as expected during the filming, and trains to and from the nearest subway station, Yeouinaru, were far from full.
Choi Tae-sik, a taxi driver, who passed by the International Financial Cemter towers, said there were no traffic jams because people were told in advance about the filming and the closure of the bridge. He said he didn't feel his business was affected in any way.
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