Watch Save My Seoul

Save My Seoul is a gripping, eye-opening documentary that delves into the world of sex trafficking and prostitution in Seoul, South Korea. Directed by Jason Y. Lee and starring Edward Lee and Crystal Esther, the film is a personal journey of discovery, as Edward Lee, a Korean-American pastor residing in Los Angeles, seeks to explore the rampant prostitution problem in his ancestral homeland.

The film begins with Edward on a flight to Seoul, where he is accompanied by his friend and renowned K-pop star Brian Joo. Upon arriving, Edward is immediately struck by the seedy underground world that exists in the city's red-light districts. He sets out to explore the neighborhoods of Cheongnyangni and Yeongdeungpo, where prostitution is openly visible on the streets and in the windows of brothels.

As he ventures deeper into the world of sex trafficking, Edward meets with local activists, police officers, and former prostitutes to gain a better understanding of the issue. Through their stories, he learns about the complex web of corruption and organized crime that fuels the trade, as well as the human cost that lies beneath the surface.

One of the film's strengths is its ability to delve into the personal stories of those affected by sex trafficking, whether they be a young girl who was forced into prostitution by her own father or a former prostitute who became an activist against the trade. These personal accounts are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and they serve to highlight the urgency of the issue.

Alongside its exploration of sex trafficking, Save My Seoul also examines the societal factors that contribute to the problem, such as South Korea's hyper-competitive culture and the lingering effects of US military presence in the country. These aspects of the film provide important context for the issue, and they help to broaden the conversation beyond just the immediate problem at hand.

One of the most striking aspects of Save My Seoul is its cinematography, which captures the bustling streets of Seoul in all their neon-lit glory. From the colorful signs advertising brothels to the busy crowds of people moving through the city, the film paints a vivid picture of a city that is both beautiful and deeply troubled.

Overall, Save My Seoul is a powerful documentary that sheds light on an urgent and often overlooked issue. Through its exploration of the world of sex trafficking, the film underscores the importance of addressing this problem both in South Korea and around the world. While it's certainly a difficult subject to tackle, director Jason Y. Lee handles it with sensitivity and nuance, resulting in a film that is both informative and emotionally resonant.

Save My Seoul is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes.