The historic capital of the Czech Republic is enjoying a vogue among Koreans, not least because of the hit TV soap "Lovers in Prague". Television commercial makers, ever a sensitive gauge of trends, have also fallen in love with the city. First there was a CyWorld commercial in which Jo Seung-woo was seen backpacking through the city, then came The Face Shop and Hyundai Card. Now Samsung Electronics' Anycall phone and KTF have caught onto the buzz.
Why Prague? Phoenix Communications, which produced the KTF commercial, counts off the reasons. First off is the fact that Prague made it through World War II largely unscathed compared to other European cities, making it easier to project old-world charm without building a set. Wherever you turn the camera in the Czech capital, there is authentic history.
Another reason is the technical know-how of local crews. There has been almost unanimous praise for the studios where Hollywood movies like "Mission Impossible" and "The Brothers Grimm" were shot, so a minimal core staff plus director are plenty for a shoot in the city. Along the same lines is the consideration that labor costs in the Czech Republic are much lower than elsewhere in the EU, saving producers a lot of money.
The commercial for KTF music portal Dosirak, starring Min Kyeong-hoon, lead-singer of the popular band Buzz, was filmed entirely in Prague. The 12-minute mini-drama with the soundtrack of Buzz's digital single "Love Comes from the Heart", exclusively offered via Dosirak, combines advertising and entertainment. The Anycall commercial starring Eric Moon and Lee Hyo-ree featured romantic scenes against the backdrop of the city's old buildings last summer. For The Face Shop's Arsainte brand, kwon Sang-woo and Japanese actress Erika Okuda were set off by the city's beautiful scenery, which reportedly prompted many viewers to inquire about the location.
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