The Korea Times

Expat filmmaker calls it a wrap on spy thriller shot in Seoul

Will Forrester directs cast members on “Eyes Wide Open” last year. / Photo by Paranoid Gecko ProductionsBy John Redmond Will Forrester behind the camera on “Eyes Wide Open” last year. / Photo by Paranoid Gecko ProductionsFrench writer, cinematographer and expat film director Will Forrester has recently finished editing his spy thriller "Eyes Wide Open" that was shot in Seoul.Shot using local talent, the self-financed film tells the story of a CIA agent posing as a student in Seoul who has to stop foreign spies and local gangsters from getting their hands on a supercomputer that can connect to anyone and anything.Forrester, from Nice, France, felt compelled to portray a modern perspective on the spy genre."I knew I wanted to tell a spy story that would be dynamic, visceral and at the same time entertaining and engaging,” Forrester told The Korea Times. “We live in an almost digitally connected world and one of the challenges was creating a story that would be relatable.” The three-year project saw Forrester stressing the need for authentic cha

Apr 21, 2018By John Redmond

Expat filmmaker calls it a wrap on spy thriller shot in Seoul

South Africans embrace life in Korea

South Africans enjoy Heritage Day in Seoul last year. / Photo by John RedmondBy John RedmondWhen interacting with expats on the Korean Peninsula, one nationality often leaves people with a strong sense of curiosity: South Africans.Hailing from the southern-most country on the tip of the African continent, South Africans are no strangers when it comes to traveling to seek work opportunities.South Africa, like much of the African continent, has experienced more than its share of troubles, past and present. But it still boasts a wealth of talent among young university graduates.As English is an official language, one of 11, many see teaching in Korea as a tempting option amid skyrocketing local unemployment and a shrinking rand.“The packages they offered us were great,” said Emma Dunn from Cape Town. “I came for six months; I've been here for five years.” South Africans join in the fun of Heritage Day in Seoul last year. / Photo by John RedmondMany highlighted the benefits of life in a country with a lower crime rate and greater infrastructure than back home. &ld

Apr 8, 2018By John Redmond

Korea movies embrace foreign talent

A Filipino camera crew line up a shot on location at Incheon International Airport this year. / Photo by John RedmondBy John RedmondSeeking work in Korea is a mixed bag. With the introduction of more short-term work-related visas, the choices of occupation are no longer limited to teaching English teaching or working for large international companies.One local area where there has been a jump in foreign participation is entertainment, especially in the film and TV industry.There has been a surge in international film production here due to high production standards and a diversity in locations.With the growth of the foreign population, local TV dramas and mystery shows are also reflecting this through sub-plots in storylines.Companies such as Samsung and LG constantly shoot commercials and brochures, and foreign models and actors are in very high demand.A camera crew prepares for a shot on a film set last year. / Photo by John RedmondWhether it is a TV drama, commercial or film shoot, the hours are long, often with a lot of dead time between takes.These delays are due to several fact

Mar 21, 2018By John Redmond

Irish bring big cultural event to Seoul for St. Pat's Day

By John RedmondWhile many global citizens bring cultural celebrations to new countries to mark traditional events, few are unaware of the Irish St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, usually comprising of a parade, a concert and lots of dancing.The Irish Association of Korea (IAK) aims to share Ireland’s rich culture and Celtic history with the people of Korea and it hopes to achieve this through a feast of Irish dancing, Irish traditional music and audience participation.This year, the IAK will present the 17th annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, themed “An Irish Welcome” (“Failte” in the Gaeilge language), at D-Cube City in southwestern Seoul on March 17.Musicians perform Irish folk rock music at a St. Patrick’s Day concert at D Cube last year. / Photo by John Redmond"The IAK wants to share Ireland's rich culture and Celtic history with the people of Korea and it hopes to achieve this through a feast of Irish dancing, Irish traditional music and audience participation," the event organizers said.Founded in 1996, the IAK, a nonprofit organization

Mar 9, 2018By John Redmond

Irish bring big cultural event to Seoul for St. Pat's Day

Cycling Korea sees growth

Cyclist Eric Sutalo takes a selfie along the Han River bicycle trail earlier the year. / Photo by Photo Eric StallBy John RedmondThe end of another brutal winter sees many exploring ways to enjoy outdoor lifestyles, get fit and see more of Korea. A growing activity among the health and environmentally conscious people across the peninsula is cycling.Over the past decade, the government and local authorities have built an extensive network of bicycle paths, giving cyclists the chance to ride to almost anywhere in Korea.One link allows cyclists to ride from Seoul to Busan along a 620 kilometer trail that is a 100 percent dedicated bike path with no access for motor vehicles. The center of this network is in Seoul, stretching along both banks of the Han River, gradually branching out to all points of the compass. Many cycle tracks in central Seoul are located below busy motorways. There is even a riding track along the DMZ.For many, cycling is a good reason to get outdoors and work on their fitness. American Eric Sutalo rides around 30 kilometers every day he possibly can. On weekends h

Mar 3, 2018By John Redmond

Thundering music venue lifts the bar

Musicians perform at Thunderhorse Tavern during last year’s HBC Fest in Haebangchon. / Courtesy of Alecia JaneiroBy John RedmondSeoul’s inner suburb of Itaewon once had the reputation of being the center of the expat music scene, alongside the student neighborhood of Hongdae.Live venues thrived, spearheaded by bars including Ol Stompers, Rocky Mountain Tavern, Tony’s Aussie Pub, Woodstock, All That Jazz, VFW and Thunderhorse.With the shift of the indie scene to venues around Hongdae, coupled with rising rents, many venues closed their doors for good. But those that stood their ground not only survived, but prospered.The sound desk at Thunderhorse - The Pit. / Photo by Kirk KwonWhile Woodstock on the main street of Itaewon can lay claim to being the original “sticky carpet” (a term related to a live bar with a carpet that sticks to your feet due to spilled beer) venue of Seoul and is still open to bands of all levels of experience, Thunderhorse - The Pit has a reputation for a live stage with recording studio-quality sound.Thunderhorse is the brainchild o

Jan 19, 2018By John Redmond

Music to their ears: Foreigners pursue solo acts

Nico performs at Buskers@Bedrock in Haebangchon last week. / Photo by John RedmondBy John RedmondA popular pastime for many foreigners in Korea is spending weekends exploring the peninsula’s many live music venues. This has also led to a surge in expat indie bands performing at club and pub venues around the country.However, as Korea’s foreign population is made up of mostly temporary residents, many bands have found themselves in a constant state of hiring and rehearsing new members and, sadly, in a lot of cases, dissolving the band.This has led to a glut of musicians with a lot of material, and no band.With advances in audio technology, utilizing smaller and better sound systems, venues not associated with live music embraced the concept of providing sound stages more suited to solo singer/songwriters and small acoustic bands while still giving access to larger cabaret-style performances.One such venue is Buskers at Bedrock in Haebangchon, in the expat enclave of central Seoul.Boasting a Wednesday “Open Mic” (open microphone) night, a term coined from the ea

Jan 14, 2018By John Redmond

Diversity in South Korea