From Scratch: the only bike messengers in Seoul // Eui Ho Kim at Gig Courier 무(無)에서와 다른 이야기들

Eui Ho Kim is one of the few bike messengers in South Korea. He’s started Gig Courier, the only bike messenger company in Seoul. Some days he finds it challenging, but remembers his days riding for T-Serv in Tokyo and time spent as part of the Japanese messenger community, and looks forward to what can be created in Seoul. 김의호는 자전거 메신저이다: 한국에 몇 안되는 메신저 중 한 명. 그는 서울의 유일한 자전거 메신저 회사 긱쿠리어를 시작하였다. 어려운 날도 많지만, 그가 도쿄의 티서브에서 달리던 날들을 기억하며서 서울에서 펼쳐질 수 있는 가능성을 기대하고 있다.
This is one of seven short films exploring South Korean cycling culture. Watch all full 7 films here: • From Scratch & Other S...
"무(無)에서와 다른 이야기들"은 한국의 자전거 문화를 탐험하는 7개의 단편영화들입니다. 전체 상영회 보기: • From Scratch & Other S...
EXTRA!
Watch a behind-the-scenes follow video, with all the things we talked about whilst riding bikes here: • Follow bike messenger ...
Eui Ho Kim 김의호 - / yakimuo
Gig Courier 긱쿠리어 - / gigcourier
🌟You can support the project and pick up a Gig Courier zine here: ko-fi.com/detourrr
링크를 통해 이 프로젝트를 서포트하거나 긱쿠리어의 진을 구매하실 수 있습니다: ko-fi.com/detourrr

[@detourrr]

Thank you for watching! This film is one of seven short films about cycling in Seoul, all filmed during this same trip - you can watch them all here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5TUgZ-Jf9Cnrdk

[@PhilippeGnirt]

"As long as you don't give up, you'll change the world someday" Thank you for this gift

[@detourrr]

Such a precious line to be told. Happy it stood out to you.

[@MOSHAWER55]

I sold my Mercedes 13 years ago and became a Bicycle Rider for my life. I am For 8 Years a fat-bike lover and driving for 4 years the Track Farly 5, which is a monster-Bike in Berlin-Germany in all seasons. If someone asked me to describe Bicycle in one word, I would answer: FREEDOM. I salute you from here for what you do in your beautiful country South Korea and who knows, maybe one day I come there for a long ride across there. Good luck young man and stay tuned.

[@SimpleLifeInHyrule]

Like a pebble thrown into the pond, the world is already changed in atleast a small way from your initiative. Great doco and best of luck always.

[@detourrr]

Lovely image. I always felt, as he talked, that even if Gig didn’t last, its existence in itself was a success already, just from being.

[@JTManuel]

there is a certain romance (for me) about being a bicycle courier. the flow and dynamics between man and machine; weaving through the streets...magic.

[@mataiasagm]

omg I loved everything about this mini doc. great story, and great videography. Also loved how you can tell he just wants the scene to be bigger cause he WANTS to have a competitor, instead of being like "I´ll be the king of this", hope he does great, Also, just realized I saw your other doc from the girl in Berlin, so nice too. If you ever come to Rotterdam, Amsterdam I know some people with incredible stories too. one is a "retired" messenger but works in a bike shop now and the other still works as a courier now

[@detourrr]

@@mataiasagm Yes! Exactly. I like that was your takeaway from it. And thank you - there are some extra bits here, if you’re interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOUhWSGa8eDnZIsi=iWr8RdkRQSwuFuuL I’m glad Nike stuck in your mind (I’m assuming it was her video). I think (or hope) most people have amazing stories, however big or small they might seem.

[@jphurdl102]

Amazing work! Really well edited and filmed, and such a compelling story. Man I love watching people ride bikes in big cities ❤️

[@wallythewhale]

Seoul was where I started riding bicycle again 12 years ago. Although there are pretty good cycling paths all over Seoul, I agree that messengers were far and few in between. On a different note, the fixed gear scene seems to be alive and well.

[@MrSandperson0]

Love seeing him bicycle through the city and seeing neighborhoods from a bicycle point of view ❤️

[@elimupod816]

wonderful story, Eui keep it up! #ridebikes to save the world!

[@NickolasRed]

so wholesome and sincere, we need more people like Kim in our modern world

[@peterelkington5401]

This was lovely. Thanks

[@FrozenCarnitas]

This was real cool. 🤘🏾🤙🏼 Great job.

[@TheVintagesteal]

This is extremely inspiring. As an older Cyclist ( 😊) I appreciate these videos a great deal. Good vibes here for sure. Beautiful city too.

[@ChloE-vq2vg]

I think what you're doing is amazing and inspiring, specifically in this era. Environment needs to heal! Thank you and best of luck to you!

[@Ve_erre]

What a Great video 👍🏼

[@gooliotv]

서울에서 정말 쉽지 않을 것 같은데 멋진 도전이네요! 응원합니다!

[@JapanLovers]

Nice doco! I loved riding a bike in Seoul

[@aa-kh9ex]

Much respect. Best of luck growing your business.

[@deenk4568]

작지만 큰 희망과 도전에 응원을 보냅니다. 인식과 상식을 바꿀 기회가 올 겁니다^^ 화이팅!!!

[@31.8mm]

greeting from Indonesia, i was a bike commuter for more than a decade, i had a job as a bike mechanic, also tried to be bike fitter, now im quite far away from my cycling habit because of hard situations. i didn't regret my choice to chose bicycle as my first form of transformation, and i want to go back cycling again someday.

[@Miche27]

Awesome content, excellent editing and a cool bike 👌

[@detourrr]

Thank you! Appreciate that. It really was a special story to hear. It’s one of a series of seven short films about Seoul cycling culture - here if you want to see more kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5TUgZ-Jf9Cnrdksi=4UtliQKWfccL82TG

[@funguy2627]

Cool vid, I like bikes too :) Hope your gig things works out.

[@adityaschavali]

very good service and a large heart ❤, done a few bike messenger trips myself in India, just deliver some things when my relatives ask now & then....😇

[@courtyard7561]

미국에 오리지널 바이크 메신저 다큐멘터리 봤었는데 한국에도 있다니 놀랍네요 ㅎㅎ 응원합니다.

[@MNattorn]

Compare to Bangkok where I live, Seoul looks like a heaven for cycling.

[@paolocruz8392]

Indeed. Similar to Japan and Taiwan.

[@detourrr]

It was really fun! Everyone was pretty respectful on the roads. (But then my version of what is respectful might also be different to a local’s too)

[@detourrr]

@@paolocruz8392​​⁠Eui Ho Kim used to work in Japan (as you might have heard). It didn’t make the final edit, but he compared Seoul and Tokyo, and iirc he said Japan was more cycle friendly. It sounded like these was a pretty substantial difference? I haven’t ridden bikes in Japan or Taiwan yet. I’m looking forward to doing it!

[@DanielLoveReel]

Seoul is such a delightful city. Surprised they don't have more bike infrastructure built by now, but that is in keeping with averseness to change in the older generation. We have that here in Seattle, too.

[@ilford3200]

Great video.

[@topbanana3413]

Great! Kepp it up you guys!!!

[@detourrr]

Thanks for watching! Happy you enjoyed it.

[@kabullxuket7342]

that was amazing and inspiring, greetings from Indonesia ❤❤

[@myxti3669]

Beautiful video. Good job.

[@detourrr]

Thank you. And thanks for watching.

[@jiji1946]

Claire Tayler..... apart from being intrinsically interesting, and Eui Ho Kim being charming and impressive and full of natural positive energy, this creation is very very classy in every respect. the signal-to-noise ratio is excellent! (unusual in the extreme these days, when FX substitute for content). the final on-screen words are "thank you". thank YOU!

[@detourrr]

Oof, what a compliment. Thank you very much. It really was a coming together of many good things in one, and I’m glad you enjoyed how the final result - all the deliberations during editing - came out.

[@ohjajohh]

Very nice! I love riding bikes in Seoul too

[@detourrr]

Love this! Do you have a favourite spot in Seoul to ride?

[@ndjk2821]

I love how he dismounts from the bike. I wish I could do that

[@detourrr]

Haha right! I like it.

[@DayYytona]

Practice and u will be able to

[@jazzfan7491]

@@DayYytonaI don't understand how he does it. His right foot is off the pedal but he manages to lift the left pedal higher? I guessing this requires that you be clipped in? at 2:27

[@DayYytona]

@@jazzfan7491 It requiers a fixed gear bike and any sort of foot retention, after that its pretty easy...

[@woozertoo]

11:01 now there’s a perfect example of a driver who uses the “Park-by-Feel” technique.

[@southernfixed9857]

This is so exciting. I would love to visit Seoul and ride with you. If you go to cmwc Zurich this year, I hope we can meet. I work in NYC currently and have done mess work in Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, and Richmond Va (with one delivery in CDMX). I have yet to visit Asia but Korea would be amazing place to start

[@detourrr]

@@southernfixed9857 Thanks for the comment! I don’t think Eui Ho Kim will make it to CMWC this year, but the films will be being screened and I’ll be there with a handful of Gig Courier zines, if you’d like one! Say hi to Claire with red hair.

[@Snapper85_outdoors]

Beautiful video of Korean bicycle messenger scene. I'l cyclist in Seoul and agree that Seoul isn't bicycle friendly city. and also competition between motobike couriers etc. I've been following Gig's instagram since their start. and happy to see them growing.

[@detourrr]

Thank you! Beautiful - that's very kind. What kind of cycling in Seoul do you tend to do? I just put up a ride-around video using the fun bits that didn't make the main documentary, you might like that too - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOUhWSGa8eDnZIsi=lekiGJdHl8vMe17S

[@Snapper85_outdoors]

@@detourrr I do road cycling and Gravel bikes as well. I've been cycling in Seoul for 15 years now. lot of things/environment has changed for cycling communities. And I did go over all the videos you have created. Great series!

[@tyyao2000]

absolute art

[@user-ug9hb4fh8b]

Really wish you a success Sir, and maybe...one of kdrama writers will put your story in scene ... 👍👍....just remember "Premium Rush" around 2012 ?

[@detourrr]

I would love to see that! Or at least some nice bikes in the background 😏

[@bigbonk3841]

I think theres always gona be a market for bike messengers in big cities with large cooperate sectors. Highly personal, discreate and stealth delivery of documents

[@michaeleloriaga7804]

keep safe hope your bussiness grew

[@alifaldila]

What a legend

[@boimratono9209]

Decade ago... when I found Korean fixed gear rider Hacheon Park. Good 'ol days when fixed gear scene exploded.

[@detourrr]

Love this! I actually made six other shorter films about bike culture when I was in Seoul, and Bike Makes Me Happy - the shop Hacheon Park runs together with his wife Kwihyun Kim - was one of the interviews. You can see it here if you like - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYKyiJaomcuMfJIsi=d4ExhvCVszVNuKFJ

[@nullislandlife]

I dig the messenger bag, and your bike. Care to share the details of each?

[@yakimuo6772]

bike is Squid Bike Soez bag is in-house brand made by Tserv of Tokyo

[@kenlee6651]

포기하지 마세요. 메신저로 함께 할 날을 고대해 봅니다. ^^

[@umr1906]

Although I ride a bicycle in the first lane of the Korean road, most drivers hate it when the bicycle moves in the first lane. And the delivery culture became popular after motorcycles took first place. However, with the creation of a delivery app, anyone can participate by walking delivery, bicycle delivery, and kickboard delivery

[@Rootboy420]

there are masks that are used in construction work that provide a stream of constant fresh air to the person wearing it. You have a full face mask and the motor is worn as a belt. It runs the air trough filters before you breath it in and it will run the air out after that so it cools you down and cleans the air. Might be useful in a city like that if your concerned about the pollution.

[@samiyoqk]

The man is riding a fixie in Seoul? He must have buns of steel. Great doc.

[@detourrr]

Hah! I think you’re right. I’m just finishing editing a behind-the-scenes which features a “reality of riding a fixed gear up a hill in Seoul” moment. Should be up in the next day or two if you’re interested in seeing more.

[@samiyoqk]

@@detourrr stoked to see more.

[@detourrr]

@@samiyoqk Here we go! Hope you enjoy some extras 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpOUhWSGa8eDnZIsi=sSridqFrbkAgIw5s

[@tchmilfan]

@@detourrrIn Seoul, there a hills and then there are hills. I used to ride fixed on the pretty steep stuff in UK near me, but I would’ve struggled with some of the streets around HBC

[@detourrr]

@@tchmilfan Some of them were humbling! I arrived at midnight pretty jet lagged, built up my bike and went for a ride, and within about 2 minutes was in a thin residential alley going up a steep climb that had me doing a u-turn pretty quickly. I walked it the next day and realised exactly how steep it’d been. Do/did you ride in Seoul a lot? It really helped that I was riding gears whilst filming this! I think Eui Ho Kim’s switched bikes since filming too, and mostly rides a Maverick with gears for day-to-day deliveries now.

[@US-px7wc]

Cool guy! Wonder where he learned his English since he has almost not accent.

[@myatnoe6424]

fighting bro....

[@DeltaOgle]

I’ve been desperately scouring the internet for that ‘Hurry Porter’ hoodie! If anyone know’s the source please link me ❤

[@bigphones666]

4:15 Cafe dress code is strict! 😂 5:40 mobile refrigerator ? 5:53 Harley lounging edition ? 7:55 Army cargo bikes ? 8:35 Beautiful

[@detourrr]

Superb highlights thank you 😊😏

[@yakimuo6772]

MAD KUDOS TO THE EGGMAN

[@detourrr]

The real star (I’m joking)

[@BufordDuckworth]

I'll come work for free. Just feed me some noodles and let me sleep on the shop floor.

[@KEIRINSTREETS]

Keep pushing and tide safe.

[@meinpupsstinkt1476]

Zählt noch jemand die Hemden mit? Bin aktuell bei 27, richtig?

[@detourrr]

Ist das eine hohe oder niedrige Zahl? 🤔

[@NuttyV2]

다른 나라 자전거 메신저들도 픽시를 많이 타던데 특별한 이유가 있나요?

[@yakimuo6772]

각자의 도시와 지리적 환경에 맞춰서 최적합한 자전거로 일을 하는 모습을 많이 봐왔습니다. 픽스드기어는 정비가 쉽고 고장날 일이 적다는 것으로 뉴욕처럼 도시 범위가 작고 주로 평지인 곳에서 많이 사용하는 반면에 스위스나 독일의 알프스 산맥 지역에서는 기어 달린 자전거를 주로 사용하는 것을 볼 수 있습니다. 제가 개인적으로 느끼기에도 서울은 장거리 배송과 언덕이 많은 도시여서 픽스드기어는 부적합하다고 봅니다만, 체력이 받쳐주고 픽스드기어를 즐기면 충분히 사용해도 좋다고 생각합니다.

[@detourrr]

@@yakimuo6772Thank you Eui Ho Kim! 🙏

[@saisamsuri]

2:11 We need answers to these questions mate

[@detourrr]

Universal questions 😏

[@peppermintpig974]

Must be hard dealing with city riding when it's not even your city contributing the bulk of the bad air quality. China needs to figure out its pollution problem. Ironically their bad economy is reducing vehicle traffic, so that does help in a small way.

[@Sekhmet6697]

Why track bikes though, other than the “cool” factor? Isn’t a mountain/hybrid bike more safe, versatile and comfortable to ride in the city?

[@yakimuo6772]

cool always comes first👌🏽 but i gave up the cool and ride a beautiful 11speed gravel bike now🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Sekhmet6697]

@@yakimuo6772 Cool is subjective. Fast, comfortable and safe are objective. My track bikes have been gathering dust since I built my hybrid/mountain bikes to ride around the city.

[@ride-to90]

저도 서울에는 왜 자전거 메신저가 없을까 생각 했던적이 있는데.. 없지 않군요 ㅎㅎ 한때 남산북악을 거쳐 서울시내 라이딩을 즐겨하며 자동차의 시내 평균속도가 10키로 내외로 자전거의 절반밖에 안된다는걸 알게되었죠.. 서울시내에서 자전거타기는 늘 긴장감을 느끼게 합니다 그래서 더 살아있음을 깨어주죠 ㅎ 근데 궁금한게 왜 변속기없는 싱글기어를 타는거죠? 서울시내 곳곳 경사진곳이 많고 평지에서도 급가속 하기 위해선 기어비가 큰게 유리하고 평지에서 빠르게 가야할땐 그 반대기어가 필요하지 않아요? 시내에서도 순간순간 50키로 이상 속도를 내기 위해선 고단기어가 필요할텐데요? 단순함과 경량에서 오는 잇점도 있지만 다단변속기에서 주는 잇점이 훨씬 큽니다 한편으로 그런자전거를 고집하는건 겉멋든것처럼 보이기도 합니다 늘 안전하게 주행하시고 사업 번창하길 바랍니다

[@yakimuo6772]

말씀하신 것처럼 겉멋도 있습니다. 그러나 단순히 효율적인 방법 이상으로 제가 즐기면서 만족감과 성취감을 느끼기 걸 더 중요하게 생각해요. 약속된 배송 서비스를 제공할 수 있는 한해서 말이죠. 영상은 평평하고 교통체증이 혼잡산 사대분 안에서 촬영하였기 때문에 고정기어로 촬영하였고(제가 제일 좋아하는 자전거이기도 하고) 배송 주문이 장거리거나 언덕이 많은 코스를 지나면 로드로 가곤 했습니다. 그래서 당시에도 로드바이크와, 현재는 그래블바이크와 함께 하고 있습니다:)

[@ride-to90]

@@yakimuo6772 그렇군요 😂

[@IrvineCenterDriver]

자전거 메쎈져가 도통 뭔지 감이 안 잡히는데 서류 날라주는 건가? 그러면 우체국이 충분하지 않나?

[@endtimeslips4660]

probably E bike more sensible korean want everything fast. so in general people will chose motorcycle because it more faster

[@davidmurphy9151]

Nah - more trouble than they are worth if you are strong.

[@endtimeslips4660]

@@davidmurphy9151 that man on screen probably more older than your father.

[@yakimuo6772]

Do I look that old?

[@endtimeslips4660]

@@yakimuo6772 probably same like me near touch 70

[@user-gf6kc5vq3h]

사고 많이 나겠네...

[@Roaster_Kim]

정말 한국은 자전거에 대한 인식이 좋지 않아요. 서울 뿐만아니라 전국이 그렇습니다. 대만이나 중국만 봐도 부러워요

[@detourrr]

I was also surprised to hear that there wasn’t a messenger culture in other South Korean cities. It’s how this entire project started - we were travelling around different cities by bike, and asked Eui Ho Kim if he knew any other bike messengers in any other cities. And he said, “No, it’s just us!” Which surprised me. It’s been very interesting seeing where cycling (in general) is flourishing in Seoul and how it still hopes to. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I got the impression that Seoul is somewhat leading in terms of cycling culture in the country, too?

[@user-qf1es7jl8e]

횡단보도에서 끌고가라 자전거도로 표시도 없는 횡단보도에서 뭔짓이냐

[@TR-nw8hz]

Bro, you don't get to have brakes. Don't be a loser. Learn to ride

[@Glorkstrenkul]

gorgeous cross-over-toptube. professional dismount. yes sir!

[@detourrr]

Love that you spotted this! Yes 💅

[@DaeguCityBoyBikes]

I like seeing bicycles being used for more than just leisure 🥹