Seoul Searching: Revisiting the first film to explore the experiences of Korean adoptees and diaspora

EXPLORING KOREA: Stories from Milwaukee to the DMZ and across a divided Peninsula. This special series explores historical sites and cultural traditions from across the Korean Peninsula, building a bridge back to the search for identity in Milwaukee. From the occupation of Korea at the end of World War II, to Korean War veterans in Milwaukee, veterans from Milwaukee who served in later years at the DMZ, adopted South Korean children who grew up in Milwaukee, different waves of the South Korean diaspora who moved to Milwaukee to raise their families, and even a defector from North Korea, their stories share generations of Korean and American experiences. https://mkeind.com/koreanstories

The 2015 film “Seoul Searching,” written, directed, and co-produced by Benson Lee, is a love letter to 1980s teen cinema, while also offering a nuanced exploration of Korean identity and the immigrant experience.

Set against the backdrop of a real-life summer camp from 1986 in South Korea, the film draws directly from the director’s own teenage memories, blending humor, heart, and cultural reflection in a way that resonates with audiences familiar with both Korean and Western cultures.

“When I attended summer school in 1986, I was shocked to meet so many Koreans from other parts of the world. It was the 1980s and the internet didn’t exist, so we were pretty sheltered,” Lee told Milwaukee Independent in a 2016 interview. “Although we had similar faces, we were worlds apart in terms of our culture. But it was our cultural differences that taught me to expand my view of the world, and helped me realize how incredibly diverse it is.”

Often compared to a John Hughes film, “Seoul Searching” emulates the archetypes and storytelling styles of iconic films like “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.” The characters are instantly recognizable, with each fitting neatly into the 1980s teen movie mold: the punk rebel, the athletic jock, the introspective nerd, the femme fatale.

But what makes “Seoul Searching” unique is the layer of cultural tension the characters navigate. All are Korean by ethnicity, but hail from different corners of the world — America, Germany, and Mexico — creating a clash of expectations, both from their host country and their own families.

“American, German, Mexican, or any nationality for that matter, can be represented by all kinds of people outside of what’s considered the norm. Nationality is not an ethnicity but a culture and state of mind,” said Lee. “I want people to feel the desire to travel after they see my film, inspired by how diverse our world actually is.”

The story centers on a summer camp program in Seoul, when the South Korean government attempted to connect second-generation Koreans raised abroad with their ancestral roots. It is at this camp that the teens are forced to confront what it means to be Korean, despite growing up largely removed from the language, customs, and expectations of their parents’ homeland. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, friendships, and tension as these teenagers learn more about themselves and their cultural heritage.

“Growing up Korean in the United States was an adventure, because my parents were first-generation immigrants from South Korea,” said Lee. “What made it interesting and challenging is how American and Korean culture are quite often at odds. I felt more comfortable outside of my home, since I was more familiar with American culture.”

Beneath its playful surface, “Seoul Searching” tackles deep, emotional themes. The film deftly handles the identity struggles of these teenagers, who find themselves straddling two worlds, neither fully accepted in their Western countries nor completely at home in Korea. They face questions of belonging, navigating the challenges of cultural dissonance and parental expectations.

Characters like Sid, a Korean-American punk rocker, or Grace, a pastor’s daughter with a rebellious streak, bring these conflicts to life. They represent the many ways immigrant and diaspora children often find themselves at odds with their parents’ generation, who cling to traditional values while the children seek to carve out their own identities.

The camp’s head counselor, Mr. Kim, plays a pivotal role in pushing the teens toward this self-realization. His stern demeanor contradicts his genuine desire to help these kids reconnect with their Korean roots, even as they resist. The dynamic between the teens and their counselor becomes an encapsulation of the larger generational and cultural conflicts many immigrant families face.

“Sometimes, entering my home was like entering Korea, where the rules were different,” said Lee. “But this seems to be a common theme for people who grew up in a bicultural home, and I‘m grateful to have experienced it because it helped me to always see things through a dual lens. It also helped me to be more open to other cultures.”

“Seoul Searching” stands out not only for its cultural exploration but for its ability to do so with humor. While the themes are serious, the film maintains a lighthearted, sometimes irreverent tone. The script is peppered with sharp wit, allowing the characters to poke fun at their cultural differences and the stereotypes they both embody and reject. The balance between levity and sincerity keeps the film engaging without ever becoming preachy.

“I think John Hughes would have loved this film. I did my best to strike a balance between comedy and drama, which is what he was so skillful at. ‘The Breakfast Club’ is my all-time favorite teen movie because I loved how Hughes took the world of the teen so seriously and treated his characters with such deep respect,” said Lee.

The visual and musical style of the film further enhance its nostalgic charm. The 1980s setting, complete with a retro soundtrack and period fashion, transports viewers to a time of neon colors and carefree teenage rebellion, adding to the sense of fun. Yet, the emotional depth ensures that “Seoul Searching” remains more than just an homage to a bygone era of cinema.

Beyond the entertaining plot and 1980s references, “Seoul Searching” also serves an important role in cinematic representation. Korean-American and Korean diaspora stories are still underrepresented in mainstream films, especially in genres like teen dramedies. The film offers a refreshing take, bringing visibility to the complexities of growing up between two cultures. For many first- and second-generation immigrants, the film captures the bittersweet reality of trying to bridge two worlds, navigating the desire to belong while feeling perpetually foreign.

“The one thing I disliked about ‘80s teen movies was the portrayal of Asian characters. We were usually the oriental nerd that was the supporting character, rarely the lead, who tended to be the butt of all jokes, a character no one wanted to identify with,” Lee added. “Asians have traditionally been portrayed as stereotypes on the big screen and had very little presence in mainstream cinema.”

Until “Crazy Rich Asians” in 2018, only two major Hollywood films in 25 years had an all-Asian American cast, “The Joy Luck Club” (1993) and “Better Luck Tomorrow” (2003). Lee said it was the reoccurring Asian stereotypes and the lack of Asian actors given leading roles that inspired him to make a movie that contained authentic Asian characters with depth and showed that Asians are normal human beings.

Ultimately, “Seoul Searching” is a film that goes beyond its nostalgic references and coming-of-age framework. It taps into universal themes of identity, belonging, and generational conflict that resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. Whether viewers have personal connections to the immigrant experience or not, the film’s heart, humor, and exploration of selfhood make it a compelling watch.