Uijeongbu embracing
the “moon and the sun” of the International
and Korean music theatre for 13 years
-13th Uijeongbu
Music Theatre Festival-
The 13th music theatre festival in
Uijeongu, in Gyeonggi province was the new mission of the KTO
K-performance supporters! Thanks to the Korea Tourism Organization they were
invited to attend one of the most prestigious Korean music theatre festivals in
the country that takes places for 13 years every May(2014 UMTF), to enhance the
cultural experience of the local citizens and the visitors.
Despite of being downgraded due to the mourning of
the Sewol tragedy (yellow ribbons around Uijeongbu
Art Center), this year too it hosted important international
and Korean musicals. The KTO Performance Supporters were invited to watch the “moon and the sun”
of the Korean musicals, the awarded with the Grand prize in the 2013 Korea
Musical awards ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’. The title is familiar as it was a
popular MBC TV drama in 2012. It is based on the novel by Jung Eun-gwol and quoting the organizers “it is the love story between Lee
Hwon’ who is born with the fate of the sun and ‘Yeon Woo’ who is born with the
fate of the moon. Music with a pop orchestra leads the entire musical. The
blend of contemporary and traditional choreography with a Korean aesthetic
is reflected on stage, lighting, and images depict the beauty which can only be
seen through this musical”. The musical actors performed strongly and
the lighting, music, and stage decorations were indeed superb. I will never
forget that moon and sun at the back or those stars and the flow of the waters.
Before arriving to the Art Theater we had the opportunity to taste the famous Uijeongbu BudaeJjigae which
originates from the area since 50 years ago and it is about ham, sausage mixed
with kimchi, hot pepper paste, rice cake, noodles and broiled with spicy seasoning.
Delicious! Although many places to eat Uijeongbu BudaeJjigae we went to one of
the best restaurants the ‘Otengsiktag’ (http://www.odengsikdang.com/sub/sub1_02.php)
that has a tradition since 1960. On the walls you can see the photos and
signatures of famous Korean Actors, Actresses and TV Personalities!
Before the performance in the exhibition area, visitors
can admire the puppets-protagonists of local and foreign short puppet movies,
also displayed from screens. Alternatively to look at the programs, photos and memorabilia
of the previous years of the festival.
Departing from the Uijeongbu Art Center we took with us the
memories of the bright moon sung by the talented musical performers and
simultaneously we left behind something: our messages on the tiles painted before the musical and will be placed on the Uijeongbu Art Center to mark the day.
For more information for this and next year’s festival on the official
webpage of Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival
http://eng.umtf.or.kr/html/sub01/sub_01.php
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