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South Korean Cartoonists Cry Foul Over Edgy Simpsons Intro
theodp writes "When asked to animate a dark commentary about labor practices in Asia's cartoon industry — the edgy title sequence for the Simpsons' episode 'MoneyBART' — staff from the South Korean production company Akom raised a rare protest. Even after being toned down, the sequence created by British graffiti artist Banksy depicted a dungeon-like complex where droning Asian animators worked in sweatshops, rats scurried around with human bones, kittens were spliced up into Bart Simpson dolls, and a gaunt unicorn punched holes into DVDs. The satire, Akom founder and president Nelson Shin argued, gave the impression that Asian artists slave away in subpar sweatshops when they actually animate much of The Simpsons every week in high-tech workshops in downtown Seoul. Still, South Korean animators make one-third the salaries of their American counterparts, and Shin declined to comment on the full extent of the work his company has outsourced to SEK, a state-run animation studio of North Korea. Some argue that the Banksy sequence's gray and forlorn atmosphere more accurately depicts the sweatshop-like conditions in North Korea."
I'd love to live in Seoul. It's so vibrant, and the newest apartment complexes are ridiculously nice.
There's nothing you could put in an apartment complex that would entice me to give up my own four walls.
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
Sure they do. I don't think it was very good satire though, it was a little bit too easy, and going for dramatic effect and sympathy of the cause of improving the labor conditions of etc. etc..., of something far way.. now what would have made it good and art is if he had dared to satire the Simpson's own blood, by focusing on the American animators who lost their jobs, went on the become pizza delivery men and women, had to give up their houses because of the mortgage, and started the whole world economy crisis - except for South Korea where they keep increasing their living standards and have surpassed us on several levels already.
What exactly in the phrase "Sure they do" makes you think people don't get satire and self-parody. And is this from an American? Irony is satire explained by an American as if only he understands the concept. I had to LOL. Next look up bigotry.