Koreatown
From the Archives
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28-Aug-2019
In Los Angeles, a young man working as a doumi - a host/hostess who entertains clients in private karaoke rooms - encounters a strange request. “Koreatown,” directed by Grant Hyun, is a stylish drama full of controlled tension and striking neon visuals. The handsome Kyeong sings to patrons who have chosen him out of a lineup to indulge their fantasies. His performance can extend to intimate conversations as well, like when Kyeong discusses his rocky move from Seoul to America as a seven year old child. One night, a woman seeks ‘second round,’ paying more to have Kyeong escort her home. As they arrive, and even before, we sense something is different about this transaction, and it builds to a disturbing 1-2 finale. Hyun has a keen sense of atmosphere-building and he crafts a transfixing character study with great performances and evocative tunes.
Writer & Director: Grant Hyun. Starring Sunho Yoo, Crystal Lee, and Donna Lee. Producers: Ashleigh Kim, Oliver Dunne. Cinematographer: Alfonso Herrera Salcedo. Score and Original Song: Luka Mielniczenko. Production Designer: Charlotte Hass. Art Director: Tyler Evans.
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