Hip Korea, a documentary about Korean tourism, is produced by the Discovery Channel and is really exciting.  The two-part documentary features super-celebs Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon) and Lee Byung-hun, as they trace throughout the most interesting destinations in Korea.  The terrific twosome was chosen because of both entertainers’ new found Hollywood hotness. Rain has the starring role in the May release Ninja Assassin, and Lee will play Shadowstorm in G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra.

In the first episode entitled “Seoul Vibes,” the host Rain visits Hong Dae (Hongik Daehakgyo), an area preferred by foreign tourists and young university students. He also makes stopovers at Cheongdam-dong, an area of upscale shopping, known as Korea’s Fashion Ave, and at the Downtown Park Cheonggye stream.

“Seoul Savvy,” which is the second installment, follows Lee as he emcees over the Apgujeong district, a swank neighborhood that boasts having one of the top-ten most expensive rental rates in the world. Insadong is another neighborhood in Lee’s installment and is an area known for expensive antiques and art; it is known as the heart of Korea. The posh neighborhood of Samcheong-Dong is one of the last cities featured in the show, and it has been compared to New York City’s Tribeca and Soho.

The sad fact about this documentary is that it will not air in North America. Its January 2009 air date is only for Discovery Channels’ cable network stations in Australian and New Zealand stations. They will, however, air the program throughout Europe in February.