Monday 3 August 2009

Three Videos on Korea

These three YouTube-videos have been doing the rounds on some of the expat-blogs recently. What makes them so popular is that they actually reflect that typical avalanche of first sensations one gets when coming to Korea for the first time. There are the strange juxtaposition of ancient and modern, of cityscapes and nature, of cute-culture and busy business men rushing to work, of the underground transportation system and the buzzing markets on top, of the bright lights and dark alleys. Also, even though these videos are based on amateur footage, the editing is actually very well done, put to funky music that engages the viewer in an almost surrealist trance – exactly a foreigner’s first exposure to Korea. So to get a feel of Korea (and a little bit of Tokyo thrown in for good measure), sit back and enjoy.

(Warning: The second video contains graphic images of fish being killed at fish markets and fresh fish restaurants and other butchery images. If you are squeamish, I seriously advice you to skip the second video; or just skip over 3:25-5:50.)





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