Jump Taekwondo Jump!!!

This performance is about a typical happy Korean family?설마! (=no way!)

A happy yes, a Korean yes, a Family yes but definitely not typical. This family lives, thinks and talks with taekwondo. Every aspect of their life is done with a dancing taekwondo motion.

A comic  martial art performance that will jump you to the sky. With the help of:

-The Great- Grandfather whose age burden has turned him into a Gamma shape Γ, is the fellow who generates the biggest audience laugh reaction in his effort to walk with or without the cane and only taekwondo can give him walking progress

-The authoritative Grandfather that everyone is afraid and obey. He is always on the right moment to  involve with his komdo stick to prevent an unwanted situation

-The Father that despite his excellent martial arts is still dominated by his wife and the Grand Father.

-His Son who looses control when he gets drunk

-The mother and the daughter  or else 'Taekwondo  Queens' who surprise  audience with their dancing taekwondo movements

-The candidate  son- in law that has the double personality of  the superman, shy with the glasses, superhero without the glasses that performs the most breathtaking movements

-The two opposite in IQ  burglars  that make the mistake to enter in the specific supersonic family.

Stage is a Korean-style house and  sound and light effects enhance the taekwondo perfection of the Performers.

That is why I am not surprised that this performance has surpassed the 3,000 shows and is being played since 2003 in Korea and around the World. The protagonists have been changing and every time is getting better and better.

"Jump" is being taking place in Seoul Theatre, inside KyumHyang  Newspaper (Arthill) which is almost across the Seoul Museum of History.

http://www.yegam.com/jump/kor/info_en.html

Some lucky audience will go on stage and participate in funny scenes but all will have the chance to take photos and autographs from the performers at the end of the show.

Jump will Jump you to the sky….

Hwarang: the Ancestors of Taekwondo

Hwarang (화랑)  the "Flower Knights" were warriors in the kingdom of Silla:

The 24th king of Silla, Chin Heung, formed a group of warriors, which were called the HwaRang. The HwaRang were trained in weapons such as the sword, spear and bow. They devoted their lives to these martial skills in the hopes that they could save Silla. The HwaRang also studied an unarmed form of combat called SooBak. SooBak was a primitive form of foot fighting, using some hand, but mostly foot techniques. The HwaRang took SooBak and added things to it to create a more fighting art. The techniques of SooBak were created to be used in fighting along with the other weapons of the HwaRang to make the warriors able to defeat their enemies. But, Chin Heung needed something more than just competent soldiers; he needed something to unify the HwaRang and create the mental conditioning to lead the kingdom to victory. So, he asked Won Kang, a Buddhist monk and scholar, to take charge of the HwaRang training. Won Kang did so and not only created fine warriors, but actually a way of thought for the HwaRang. Won Kang came up with a code of ethics that the HwaRang warriors followed.

With a the code of ethics and with their skills in fighting the HwaRang became the HwaRangDo, which meant "way of the flower of manhood." The HwaRangDo became known for their bravery and fighting skill and soon supplied the leadership to defeat both the Paekje and Koguryo kingdoms and unify Korea in to one country known then as Koryo.  (https://www.msu.edu/~spock/history.html)

The aspiring candidates for the honored title  of Hwarang  (Flower Knight Warriors)  and the relation with their family and themselves-are the protagonists of the musical Hwarang (화랑) at  Dahangno Art Madang (Hall 3) in  Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Dahangno Art Madang is a building that may not be located easy without website  map and the good directions of the staff but is near Hehwa  subway which means that art is enhanced  around the area.

Five gifted performers dance and sing in strong motion and depth of voice.  The issue for those who do not speak Korean or Chinese and Japanese is that there are not subtitles in English. Therefore is is better to have read the story beforehand and what Hwarang are or else they will not understand why they warriors suddenly start to wear make up and dance aesthetically!

Hwarang warriors are very important part of Korean history, even for the evolution of taekwondo, so this performance that has recently completed the 1000 shows is worth to watch and know.

Synopsis

The "Hwarang" audition announcement is posted in Seorabeol, the capital of Silla with a thousand-year history. The young and considerably popular guys gather in Seorabeol. The rebel Yuo who wants to escape from his mother, the audacious and self-centered Parang, the Hwarang descendant Munno who came down from mountain village with great dreams, the reluctant Gwallang who was forced by his father to apply for Hwarang, and the innocent youth Daham who thought the only purpose of life is to protect Gwallang, all finally become a team after many twists and turns. However, there is no such thing as a peaceful day for this group given their different personalities, backgrounds and talents. In order to break free from the strict rules and hard training routine, the group decides to make an escape plan. To make things worse, they reach a turning point where they have to decide whether to endure the competition or succumb to the conflicts and misunderstandings arising from the group. Will they succeed in becoming a "real Hwarang" and achieve their dream of becoming a superstar in Seorabeol?

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_2.jsp?cid=1840245

"When you feel love or hate…" Let's Dance Let's Sachoom!

If you want to forget for more than an hour all the stress of the days and expect the unexpected to happen during a dance performance then Sachoom is the one to go in Insa-dong, in the capital city of Seoul in South Korea.  A number of beautiful dancers-performers will fly you to this dance and music trip with lots of humor.

Sachoom dance musical is located in Nakwon building, on the 4th floor however the entrance of the building does not visibly show what it hides inside.  When visitor reach the 4th floor there is not only the ticket booth and the waiting area of Sachoom theater but also of Seoul Art Cinema and the  Silver Cinema, showing classic movies and more.

Although it was in the middle of the week the theater was half full with Koreans and mostly  tourist visitors from other countries.

The use of electronic screen that has subtitles in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese, makes it more understandable  and dancers use the dance and humor language as well as some English words so as to engage the audience.

It is not a new performance. It is going on since 2008 and the performers are being rotated, ensuring the sustainability and vibrancy of the dance story.  Therefore they cater for every taste  by including all types of dance from sensational to classic and modern.

For such a colorful and  speedy performance audience are happy to know from performers that photos are allowed and that in the end they are expected to dance with them.

I admired the  fresh smiles of the performers, their strength to dance continuously and their humor that was enjoyed by all.

In the end of the show the dancers ask the audience to stand up and dance with their  hands singing " let's dance! 춤을 주세요".

In the waiting area visitors from all ever the World have the opportunity to take photos and autographs with their favorite members of the dance company.

Thanks to Korea Tourist Organization and the program K-Performance Supporters.

Diversity Shines Here: 17th Asian Games INCHEON 2014

When Korea Tourist Organization (KTO) invited the K-Performance Supporters to attend the 17^th Asian Games held in Incheon from 19^th of September to 4^th of October 2014, for people like me who used to work for such events it was like being granted a small dream that went true. To breathe again that familiar air of peaceful competition and effort of the athletes, the tension of the staff, and the joy of the spectators. On day 1 after the welcoming Opening Ceremony, our journey started under the poster with the new logo of KTO campaign ‘Imagine your Korea’ in the headquarters.

Much more near than expected we arrived to Bucheon Gymnasium to attend a very popular sport in Asia and less known in Europe. The Sepaktakraw, to describe it simply, is volleyball by the legs! It comes from two words Sepak(Kick) and Takraw(woven ball) or else ‘Kick Volleyball’. When you think it is not possible for people to perform leg volleyball as fast as the classic volleyball, then in this Asian Games it was a great opportunity to admire the Sepaktakraw champions, playing volleyball and at the same time dancing in the air!

I could not avoid observing-like in every such event-the ‘Smiles’ of the 17^th Asian Games, the wonderful Volunteers. Very neat in their aqua and sandy uniforms, fully equipped with energy, excitement, kindness and that genuine volunteer smile than a non-volunteer can never copy, helping every part of the venue operations, from the ticket check, the spectators, the athletes, the field of play. Could not stop admire the peaceful coexistence of all ages and all walks of life in the volunteer games force, either be the young volunteers who were so cheerful and agitated for volunteering for the first time in such a big event and at the same time the Senior Volunteers with their life long experience who took care the spectators and athletes as if they were their sons and daughters. Amazing how proactively they were acting during the Games to avoid any unpleasant situation. It was an inherent proactivity thanks to their seniority. The Senior volunteers were the secret added value of these Games. 

Another worthy aspect of our visit in Bucheon Gymnasium was the high security & protection measures to ensure safe Games for everyone without causing burden. Thus, the ambulances were stand-by on central spots next to stadium doors, as well as the Ambulance and other Medical staff walking around with the security people, creating a safe net around the event.

For such important international events, the involvement of the local community is paramount. Therefore not only the local volunteers but also a large number of schools, youth and community organizations were invited to attend the Games, filling the spectators’ seat with lots of clapping and joy.

Our KTO Coordinators always on the spot and around the K-Performance Supporters to make sure that we would not miss to enjoy all of the scheduled activities, took us to the heart of the Asian Games, the common domain around the main Stadium. In a vast area, walking around colorful booths and unique constructions displaying Sponsor’s innovations, future events such as the Gwanju 2015 and the Taipei 2007 Universiades and of course the ‘back from the future’ booth of the Pyeongchang 2018 winter games and numerous booths displaying the local products and locations around Korea, we arrived to our own familiar booth of the Korean Tourist Organization. Visitors had the opportunity to experience the culture and tradition of Korea, such as wearing the hanbok, taking advice from the Korean Oriental Medicine experts, learning about the 24hours Korea Travel Hotline 1330, and had their name being calligraphically decorated on traditional fans.

During the entire event two Pavilions operated showcasing the tradition and fusion of Korean cuisine in every aspect of people’s life from Buddhist organic food to the colorful artistic food arrangement in Korean wedding and other national celebrations, a very well thematic made exhibition. In this pavilion K-Performance Supporters could put sleeves up and try themselves the making of rice cakes, mandu or rice wine making. They surely proved to be great cooks as the Korean visitors tasted it and said there were well made! In the second pavilion visitors could enjoy food from many of the countries participating in the Asian Games such Indonesia, Iran, Vietnam, Indian and many more, prepared from the Countries’ Chefs.

When the sun hid its golden sunset rays away from the stadium and replaced by the night, a Korea in Motion Performance in open air was offered free to all visitors. The day we attended it was the loud in sounds and energy performance of NANTA.

Inhaling as much as I could from this special air of the Incheon 17^th Asian Games, we entered the bus to Seoul. What a dream day to celebrate the 10^th year anniversary of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games since I could not attend the actual celebrations back home. Thank you KTO.

N.B.1 this visit is dedicated to my friend Imam LUTFI from Indonesia who adores Korea and the Asian Games more than anyone and was reporting me every aspect of the Incheon Games that I was missing, all the way from Indonesia!

N.B.2 also to the 2004 Olympic Games Accredited Sport Photographer expert Spyro ANTONOPOULOS who 10 years ago was describing me his favorite –like air dance- sport about kicking the volleyball by legs and I could not understand what he was saying and how would this be possible to play. It was Sepaktakraw! J