One reason I like to watch foreign films is to see such items as apartments, cars, utensils etc. I find that as an interesting side view. I thought that I was the only one.
My wife likes scary movies and she caught the Asian horror bug (Ringu, the Grudge, etc..). We happened to watch two movies one night, one from Japan and one from Korea. I was amazed at the difference-Japan looked dingy and run down while Korea sparkled. I thought it might have been an exception to the rule but have since learned the opposite. Check out "Bittersweet Life" when it comes out on DVD (It's a 2005 movie so it may be a few more months). Seoul looks magnificent, the guy dresses like the Transporter, and his apartment is spectacular.
Thanks for the tip on the series-I will check it out.
If you ever want to see a GREAT movie about Communism and peoples attempts to escape it check out "The Tunnel" it's a German flick that takes place when the Berlin Wall was put up.