Get Lost in Korea tells a story of exploration, photography, blogging and friendship.

You can expect a mix of humor, tradition, adventure and stunning imagery; as I team up with Jesse Day: a Canadian entertainer who lives in Seoul and raps in Korean.

Highlights include me catching and eating a live octopus, attending an exorcism and learning zen martial arts from monks.

Now, it is with great pride that I invite you to sit back, click “full screen” and enjoy Get Lost in Korea: my National Geographic Channel TV show.

 

 

Did you watch it? Are you wondering…

How much of Get Lost in Korea was scripted?

 

Everything was improvised and spontaneous.

That said, there was a general plan for each scene and Jesse and I often received basic directions before the camera rolled. These included:

  • Be more excited
  • Make jokes; laugh more
  • Talk about what you see
  • Mention the history of the area
  • Go talk to that guy

 

A prime example of “go talk to that guy” was the octopus scene.

The day before, our director had met the fisherman and arranged for us to work with him.

When Jesse and arrived, our instructions were simply to “stumble upon a fisherman and let him teach us the art of octopus catching.”

Everything you saw in the mud flats and in his house was completely real and unscripted.

 

The Nakji Terminator and Jesse being filmed for Get Lost in Korea
My view while filming the octopus scene of Get Lost in Korea

Will there be more episodes?

As of right now: no.

Get Lost in Korea was a one-time single-episode show.

That said, I truly believe that if you trust your heart and follow your passions, opportunities will present themselves.

So, if anyone out there needs me for anything… 🙂

 

Jesse and I bust a move on the boat's dance floor
Me and Jesse dancing at an exorcism

How did I get the job?

In 2012, Samsung hired me to present my work as a travel photographer at Photokina: the world’s largest photo trade fair.

While there, I befriended Davee: a rep for National Geographic Channel Korea.

One day, she casually mentioned a project that might happen in 2013; and asked if I was interested.

 

Knowing nothing else, I immediately replied, “of course. Whatever it is, I’m in.”

Nine months later, I arrived in Seoul to film Get Lost in Korea.

 

For the whole story, check out this post.

 

The main throne hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea
The main throne hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea

Were those my photos?

Yes.

Get Lost in Korea frequently uses my images to transition between scenes; or to show what I’m seeing through my lens

Any still image you see in the show is one of my photographs.

 

Click here for a selection of my
favorite photos from South Korea

 

Something tells me that this monk has taken the advanced class
A monk demonstrates the zen martial art of Sunmudo

What was my favorite part of filming?

What I loved most were all of the amazing local experiences.

Whenever I leave home, I always try to meet locals, learn about their culture and get off the beaten path.

However, Get Lost in Korea provided opportunities that solo-travel never could.

 

Here are the stories and photos from filming.