Seoul Searching

Name: Seoul Searching
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: June 17, 2016
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 63

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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Seoul Searching

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Movie Details & Credits

Wonder Vision | Release Date: June 17, 2016 | Not Rated

Summary: Seoul, 1986. A raucous gaggle of Korean teenagers spill out of the Gimpo airport and onto buses that transport them to a location just outside the city. There, these high schoolers sent from all over the world—the U.S., Mexico, London, and Hamburg—are participating in a government-sponsored summer program to help them connect with theirSeoul, 1986. A raucous gaggle of Korean teenagers spill out of the Gimpo airport and onto buses that transport them to a location just outside the city. There, these high schoolers sent from all over the world—the U.S., Mexico, London, and Hamburg—are participating in a government-sponsored summer program to help them connect with their heritage. With a summer of partying ahead of them, they’re on a crash course to bring shame to their families, their ancestors, and their hosts—but with any luck, they might just figure out how to make friends, fall in love, and absorb some of their roots along the way.… Expand

Director: Benson Lee

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis

Jun 16, 2016

Seoul Searching is rude, funny, silly and poignant. Above all, it’s kind; Mr. Lee understands that belonging is a feeling that many of us may never experience. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Nick Allen

Jun 17, 2016

The episodic narrative of Seoul Searching can be too long and unfocused, but its stubbornness comes from filmmaking that is overflowing with self-pride. Read full review

G. Allen Johnson

Jul 15, 2016

A John Hughes-inspired comedy-drama — think “The Breakfast Club” set in rural Korea — starring a group of teenagers coming to terms with the passionate feelings and issues that evolve with impending adulthood. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Jun 14, 2016

With so many recycled scenes and cliches to get through, Lee let his comedy run on too long. But Seoul Searching is worth a look and a laugh. Read full review

April Wolfe

Jun 15, 2016

Every character gets to learn a lesson, and while the humor is nothing new, the situations are. Read full review

Justin Lowe

May 26, 2016

Liberally riffing on situations and themes familiar from the high school-set movies that established the renowned writer-director’s legacy, Lee has crafted an entertaining alternative interpretation that substitutes an international cast of Asian actors for Hughes’ largely white, suburban ensembles. Read full review

Stephanie Merry

Jul 7, 2016

It’s too bad, then, that the comedy spends so much more time mimicking the familiar than trusting in its own fresh perspective. Read full review

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User Reviews

rolfc

Jul 17, 2016

Great movie. Well executed. Things that surprise hits are made of.
Klaus Kim character is surprisingly charming and the 80s soundtrack takes you back.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

section20mi6

Apr 3, 2020

Charming and funny, Seoul Searching would be better if it was a TV show rather than a movie so that more characters can be well-developed rather than rushed plot lines all the way through.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

MATM

Mar 13, 2021

"Soeul Searching" is a movie about the children of Korean expatriates who attend a summer camp in Korea to learn about their heritage, but really, it is just mimicking '80s John Hughes coming of age movies, and it is actually pretty good. I enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first"Soeul Searching" is a movie about the children of Korean expatriates who attend a summer camp in Korea to learn about their heritage, but really, it is just mimicking '80s John Hughes coming of age movies, and it is actually pretty good. I enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first half, though. The movie begins by demonstrating how badly a bunch of adolescents can act without adult supervision, but the second half is all about how those characters figure out how to navigate life. I'd guess that 75% of the movie is in English, so you don't have to worry about reading subtitles the entire time. It is rated TV-MA, and it does tackle some pretty adult material, but the rating is mostly for the foul language, so it would be ok for a mature teenager to see. I give it a C, if you've already seen the best, but you insist on watching a movie, try this one out.… Expand

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