VICE Documentary Spotlights Itaewon Club Scene during Covid-19, features SCR, Faust, Volnost and more
The film features interviews with SCR, Faust, Volnost among others and is produced by Aaron Choe aka Airbear
As Seoul faces another cluster of coronavirus outbreaks - this time related to Church gatherings, Itaewon's club scene once again braces itself for potential stigmatization.
It's potentially timely then, that Vice Asia has released a new documentary which shows how underground dance clubs are showing responsibility in the wake of much mainstream finger-pointing. Filmed at the height of the media focus on Itaewon's nightlife scene as a key source of COVID-19 related spreading, the film showcases the financial and societal struggles of clubs based in Itaewon.
Director Aaron Choe aka established Seoul DJ Airbear delicately handles the sensitive subject matter, showcasing that while clubs may be an easy target of blame for some, the owners and patrons behind these cultural institutions are doubling down on doing the right thing by the government, in order to preserve their scene for whatever future lies ahead.
Essential viewing for anyone that has experienced Seoul subculture or is involved in similar struggles in their own scene.
Read the synopsis for the documentary here:
"At a time when South Korea seemed to have the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic under control, a club goer’s visit to Seoul's nightclub district of Itaewon, set off a chain of unfortunate events. After COVID-19 cases spread rapidly in the area, now known of as the ‘Itaewon Cluster’, the area has become eerily empty. Itaewon, popular with tourists and locals alike, is known for being the ‘international’ party district and for being a safe space for Seoul’s LGBTQAI+ community as well. As life slowly adapts to this 'new normal', business owners, restaurateurs and nightclub owners in the area feel short changed and are struggling to bounce back".
