Uijeongbu embracing the “moon and the sun” of the International and Korean music theater for 13 years - 13th Uijeongbu Music Theater Festival-

Uijeongbu embracing the “moon and the sun” of the International and Korean music theatre for 13 years

-13^th Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival-

The 13^th 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

  

Klive Holograph Concert: A Unique K-POP Experience

 

When digital technology is utilized to enhance the K-POP culture the result is indeed unique. Thus the new talk in Seoul is the Klive Holograph K-POP Concert based on top of the LOTTE FITIN Department Store at the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. Thanks to the Korean Tourism Organization and through KTO K-performance supporters program we experienced the Klive Holograph Concert with KPOP fan-friends from Bhutan, Nepal, Eritrea, China, and Greece.

 

For an exciting whole hour through the digital holograph reality and real Dancers, three of the most famous Artists of the K-POP music, PSY, BIGBANG and 2NE1  talked and sung to us only a breath away: ‘Gangnam Style, Gentleman, Bad Boy, Fantastic Baby, I,m the Best, Fire’. The performance was made especially for the Holograph concert so you have the opportunity to enjoy your favorite K-POP Artists in a dynamic new look surrounded by super sound systems, brilliant lighting, lasers and special effects that energize the participants to become part with of the holograph experience.

The added value of this performance is the incredible location, the digital utilization, the never ending surprises that start from the moment you approach the building, the chance to be selected by the Artist through your photo taken on the spot, enter in the holograph stage and digitally stand next to your favorite artists. Even becoming the grand winner of the night and receive a Klive Holograph prize!

Thus my advice is to arrive there an hour in advance and have the batteries of the camera and the mobile phone full so to capture all these surprises outside the concert hall, such as the attractions in the Star Lounge, the Welcome Square, the art gallery, the Star Photo Box. And how about the million dollar view from the coffee shop balcony of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza designed by World famous Zaha Hadid Architect!

In the Klive Holograph Concert expect the unexpected and find how to arrive there through the concert website www.klive.co.kr .