Nanta, a must watch performance

South Korea most amazing show Nanta also known as Cookin' or Cookin' Nanta is a non-verbal comedy show that in cooperate traditional samul nori rhythm. The musical has a simple back story of three cooks attempting to finish preparing a wedding banquet within a strict time limit while the manager installs his incompetent nephew among the kitchen staff. The show involves acrobatics, magic tricks, comedy, pantomime and audience participation.

I had a chance to enjoy this amazing show with my K supporter friend Omer on June27, 2014. Thanks to the Korea tourism organization for this amazing opportunity. We reserve our ticket at ChungJeongno Theater which is located at Chungjeongno station line5 exit-7. The best way is to go by subway where it can be easily traced by the exit-7connected to B2 of the building. The theater is located on F2 while the tickets can be received/reserved atF2. The theater is very clean with comfortable seats, big stage, nice sounds and lightening effects. With the kitchen as its backdrop, chefs its main character, one thing is very interesting which is to every kitchen utensils is transformed into musical instruments. Good smells of foods being cooked get to cover all over the kitchen and smiling faces of hilarious cooks make both the stage and the audience united.

The unifying element throughout the musical is the use of traditional Korean samul nori music, which in this case is performed with improvised instruments, such as cutting boards, water canisters and kitchen knives. The performance is almost completely non-verbal. The very few words which are spoken are mostly in English.Nanta is the longest-running show in Korean history. In Korea it is performed in three theatres in Seoul (Myeongdong & ChungJeongno) as well as in one theatre on the island of Jeju.I must say, if you really wanted to enjoy a performance full of fun, music, charm, traditions, magic and beauty go and watch nanta. You will find all the stuff there.  

 For more detail 

Myeongdong theater http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/nanta/en/about/nantaTheater02.aspx

Chungjeongno theater  http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_2_1.jsp?cid=1792935

Why should we promote IAG smart torch application

This article is written for th Incheon Asian Games 2014. Here is the link to article http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/smart-torch-app/

It is always considered as an honor to carry the torch of Olympic Games, Asian games and all that kinds of historical events. In fact everyone wants to be one of those who can carry this torch and present their country on those auspicious occasions. Before the 2014 Incheon Asian games it was just a dream for a common person, as this honor is always been given to the super stars of nations with incredible achievements. In the 17^th Asian games, the IAGOC, has introduced a new idea to bring the dreams of all those who want to represent their country in Asian games by introducing the smart torch relay android application. This is for the first time ever in the history of Asian games that everyone can receive, hold and share the torch relay. This application is developed for the android users with multiple benefits.

Here you can get an answer to your question on why should I download the IAG smart torch relay application??

The smart torch relay offers the true representation of your country. You can just download, keep using and share through SNS with your friends and family members. This will help you making batter your country rank on the application among the participating country. The more your friends download it the more your country position will be prominent on the application.

It offers the information related to the Incheon Asian games which include the venues, stadiums and their facilities, the games that will be played and the participating countries of the Incheon Asian games 2014. Keeping in mind the interest of the modern era in games through smart phones, the smart torch relay application offers an interesting game. The IAG has created an event for those who will play IAG game and some big prize will be given to the top 03 online scores which is Samsung galaxy S5 and 5 scorers with more than 10,000 points will be randomly selected for Samsung NX mini camera. The deadline for this event is une28 and the winners will be announced on July7.

Come and join the smart torch relay the more you play the more you have chances to get high prizes.

Here is a short procedure on how to proceed.

a, Download “Smart Torch Relay” application from Google Play Store.
b, Light your flame by requesting the flame OR receive the flame from your friend using NFC function(Near Field Communication) within your mobile phone.

c, Enjoy the game with your friends and family! Sharing this application via Facebook, Twitter, Kaokaotalk(Korean popular messenger) and LINE.

With the slogan of diversity shine here, I think every one of us should promote the IAG smart torch relay to show our respect and love for games, culture and traditions of Asian countries and to promote the true and diverse culture of Asia.

KABOOM

I had a chance to explore another amazing Korean performance and I had a lot of fun there, KABOOM to me was a super like show. It was remarkable after such a long time to enjoy a performance with creativity, fun and originality. The performance form traditional fusion Korean classical music is always a source of recreation for me and at that spot I enjoyed it at my best. It was a fine Saturday, June21 2014 when I along with my wife have an opportunity to watch Kaboom. Thanks to Korea tourism organization for this awesome break.

Located at the Jongno-3-ga station of subway line 1,3 &5 it can be easily traced. Kaboom has a nice set, comfortable sitting arrangements facilitated by good sounds, music coated with fun and thrill. The lightening is perfect with the demand of the scene which all together can make those 80 minutes memorable for you.  

The magic part of the show was a bit tricky in coated with fun. Like all the other magic shows it has engaged the viewers for moments and spread many smiles in the theater exciting the spectators. The B boy show is always a source of fun for me and I had really enjoyed the R16 competitions in Korea from the past 02 years. I was not expecting here this show but the morning of owl made me feel happy with their amazing arts. I think I am gonna in love with B Boys. Performance in the darkness PID was just superb, it was a kind of performance which I was watching for the first time ever in my Korean life and it was truly amazing. It has made that night very special for me. Over all KABOOM was a nice show and I like it too much, Thanks to the KTO for such an awesome opportunity to open the session-3 of Korean Performance supporters. 

A day in Culture rich city of Suwon [Buzz Korea]

It was a nice hot day to spend in Suwon experiencing some amazing things regarding the culture and traditions of Suwon. All the ambassadors of Suwon culture foundation were invited by the SCF to explore and share the beauty of culture rich city Suwon. The schedule was beautified with the experience of traditional market, art craft, food and the first outdoor international music festival.

All the ambassadors of Suwon gathered in the Suwon culture foundation on 3 PM. The program coordinator A-reum explains about the activity of the day. She distributed schedule among the ambassadors with t shirts and a handkerchief as souvenir. All together we moved to the first destination of the day, the traditional market. All the members were divided into 03 groups and were given 10.000 won each to experience shopping at the traditional market. Traditional market places deal everything from farm and fisheries products to clothes, shoes, general goods and jewelry, along with various things to see and eat that cannot be found in large discount outlet stores. 

Traditional market of Suwon comprises of big and small shops offering every need of day to day life on discounted prices and this is one of the reasons it is always full of people including foreigner visitors and tourists. Being very polite and kind in their behavior, the shopkeepers were really good in dealing. They are becoming a favorite destination of foreign tourists as they show a true side of living in South Korea and the warm nature of the country's people.  Every one of us buys things according to our demands at much discounted price than we were expecting. Our guide was kind enough to offer us ice cream which was a kind of blessing in the hot weather. 

Just after the finish of market tour we experienced Korean calligraphy and making a traditional fan at Suwon yongdong art fora. That was a unique experience and every ambassador participated with a great zeal. Our second destination was the Suwon Yeongdong art fora, the culture and art complex located in the second floor of Suwon traditional market. This place is a source of communication between the artists and merchants to utilize the existing facilities for the promotion of culture and traditions of Suwon. The art hall, culture exhibition space is used for exhibitions and performances and art experiences. 

We had an awesome Korean traditional dinner at Surasang Kkotdam restaurant nearby the traditional market. This restaurant is famous for making steamed rice wrapped in a lotus leaf. The newly appointed ambassadors were given the nomination certificates at this occasion. We enjoyed every bit of the food with a talk, knowing each other and discussing the upcoming activities. Just after the dinner we rushed towards the 1^st Suwon outdoor music hall by cars. It was an amazing moment to see people gathered in an awesomely beautiful place. It seemed like a beautiful garden. The place had a great security and people were anxiously waiting for the music festival to be started.

Sharp 08 PM the performance was started with the entry of Kim Dae-jin who is the director of the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. He was just superb with his skills. The orchestra he lead with the performers was just touching heart. The scene was just silent to watch and listen the voice of violin and orchestra.The beautiful Korean lyric coloratura soprano Youngok shin wins the hearts of the audience with her incredible performance. She is indeed the queen of soprano. She along with her companions, Daejin Kim (conductor), Haewon lim(violinist) and Byeongjin Choi (trumpeter) were outclass with their performance. They get a great appreciation from the crowed. It was for the first time ever I had an opportunity to explore such a concert.

The performance of the little girl with violin was the most amazing thing I experienced. She was appreciated by the audience putting their both hands together. The boy with trumpet was also worth watching he was also so skillful and master of his field that he electrify the audience with his performance.

The performance continues till 10 PM in night entertaining the audience and getting applause from the people around. This international music concert will continue till 22 June spreading Love, joys and happiness through the lyrics, music and beauty of arts. I strongly recommend these events for the residence of Suwon and tourists around to come and see the beauty of international artists at peak in the music and entertainment. 

Recompose; a new interpretation of Korean traditional music [Buzz Korea]

"Recompose", a reinterpretation of Korean music as a great show held on June13 at National Theater of Korea Junh-gu, Korea. The main attraction of the show was the re composition and reinterpretation of the traditional Korean music by four different world renown foreign composers, including Baudouin de Jaer (Belgium), Michael Timpson (U.S.), Takada Midori (Japan) and Chichun Lee (Taiwan).The present their individual visions and demonstrating new music in Recompose. Recompose was presented in the Haeoreum Theater in the Main Hall located at the National Theater of Korea, which itself is a master piece from it sitting and facilities point of view. Located in the heart of Seoul the national theater of Korea is a nice place to visit and enjoy the traditional musical shows.

Thanks to the Korea tourism Organization for providing the opportunity to enjoy the awesome performance with my friend Saqib Bhatti. The concert, started from a daring question, "How Korean traditional music viewed by foreigners will turn out?" was basically an approach to the Korean traditional music with a new method recomposing the Korean traditional music. Principally the National Orchestra of Korea endeavors to find masterpiece Korean music through the Orchestral Series. In this regards they believe that recompose will allow Korean traditional music to be reinterpreted by foreign composers from United States and Taiwan and be transformed into a new and fashionable masterpiece. 

A short story was merged into the show by relating Korea’s Bukcheong lion dance Drama* with a lion symbolizing Belgium’s royal family. Bukcheong Lion Dance Drama is one of Korea’s folk plays that played on full-moon nights by the lunar calendar. The drama is played by people from the nearby towns in Bukcheong-gun, Hamgyong-do. The main purpose of the play is to ward off evil spirits and to wish for the year’s good harvest.

Beautiful melodies of traditional instruments, such as the geomungo and gayageum entertain the spectators. I was deeply moved by the skills of all the composers and found it like a true representation and incursion of a diverse culture to other cultures.

Hope that with the passage of time we may be able to watch some more amazing performances from the court of national and international performers.  

Suwon Hwaseong International music festival [Buzz Korea]

Suwon culture foundation invites the global artists to perform at the Suwon Hwaseong music festival which is going to be held on June 14, 2014 at SK Atrium, Suwon outdoor music hall. The people of Suwon and music lovers present the best classical festival, with performances from citizens programs, and amateur music groups with passionate fringe festivals in various locations around Suwon for everyone to enjoy. This festival will continue for 08 days till 21^st of June 2014.

Don’t forget to watch the awesome performances all the way from the talented performers.

http://english.swcf.or.kr/?p=21

Sachoom, Korean performance

Few months ago I thought I am done with all the Korean performances but I was wrong since I explore the beauty of Sachoom last Friday. It was after such a long time that I have enjoyed a performance full of dance, life and fun.

Sachoom is a nonverbal performance packed with all kinds of dance including break dance, hip hop, jazz, contemporary dance and much more. Subtitling in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese, it is a source of amusement for all its viewers. Located in the heart of Seoul near Insadong, a very busy traditional market of Korea can be easily approached through subway and bus. The theater is fully facilitated with all the amenities including a big waiting hall, coffee and cold drink corner. The theater inside is full decorated with wonderful seat arrangements facing a giant stage. The music, lightening and sound is perfect with tremendous performance of the artists making it a first choice event.  

Sachoom is basically a miraculous show which brings you back to life after busy days and weeks. Sachoom creates energy of the stage that moves the audience only with music and dance. The electrifying dance of sachoom never disappoints you and keeps you ecstatic away from hassle and stress for a while. Sachoom believes, dance is freedom, dance is language, dance is an interaction and dance is life.

Sachoom is the representative of Korean wave, b boy’s era and rise of k pop in every aspect of music world, fashion design and beauty. The story begins with dance from everywhere and every one. I would be right to say that every character is perfect and skillful in dance. They show some amazing movements to win the hearts of the audience. The story throws light on every stage of life in the language of dance. The parents get involved in love and get married, dancing, singing and spreading love. Then is the stage of baby birth and celebrations everywhere. Education of the baby is the next stage of life beautified by the glory of the presence of baby. The next stage is getting elementary education and then the season of gloom, love, hate and fear at the age of twenty.

Sachoom is the story of a representative of our youth who is in love with a beautiful girl loved by many people around.  The girl like dance and the one who can dance better then all. His love demands the boy to learn dance but he fails because of his less competency. Then one night he dreams of dance, because he wanted to learn dance by heart. He got some skills in his dream and the next morning when he wakes up he tried hard to improve his dance and after many failures he got the skills. By this, Sachooms express the fact that what all you need is to just try hard and focus and you will get success. The boy is finally able to win the heart of the beautiful girl.

The last part of performance is itself remarkable because the performers invite you to practice dance on stage and get relaxation from the hard and bitter life. To me it was a remarkable show and I enjoyed it a lot. I would say if you wanna refresh your mind, if you wanna escape from the hard and tough life, if you wanna spend 80 memorable minutes with  joy go and watch the Sachoom. You will get yourself back.

Location: Sachoom theater (4^th floor, Nakwonsanga building, Insa dong)

Sachoom is located in the white building 

Directions:  428, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로 428 (낙원동) .

Subway Station: Jongno 3-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3, 5), Exit 5.
Walk 1 minute towards Nakwonsanga Building.
Sachoom Theater is located on the 4th floor of the building.
Buss: [Bus] (bound for Jongno 3-ga)
Red: 9401, 9402, 9405, 9411
Blue: 100, 143, 160, 161, 200, 201, 262
Green: 1016

Ticket Reservations

Korea DMC: www.koreadmc.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) Interpark: http://ticket.interpark.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) (* Interpark +82-1544-1555) Performance Times - Sunday-Friday 20:00 - Saturday 16:00, 19:30 - Sunday & National Holidays 16:00

IAG smart torch relay a proud moment

picture credit KBS 

There are few things I must proud throughout my life. One of which is being the crew member of Incheon Asian games 2014. It was around a year ago when I was appointed as the English blog writer for the promotion of IAG with four other amazing crew members. Since then I have written more than 25 articles promoting the Incheon Asian games, its locations and preparations, Korea and its culture and Pakistani sports, culture, national and international events, attractions and achievements internationally. Working as English blogger of IAG introduces me not only some good friends from around the globe but at the same times it gave me knowledge about the various games played in various countries, the traditions and culture of the Asian countries and their struggle for knowing to be a more prominent country in the region through culture and games promotion.Under the slogan of diversity shines here, I was able to explore the most diverse piece of earth on the google map in the form of Asia with tremendous cultures, traditions, games, sports and hospitality.

To be very honest, this exposure gave me a great opportunity to study various games and sports played in Asia. This opportunity gave me a chance to represent the diverse culture and sports loving nature of the people of Pakistan to the world and I was successful to some extent because in response to my blogs I received great surprise and applause from the International community. I have enjoyed every bit of writing as a blogger and I felt always special when I get appreciation from my friends around or people back home.

Preparations for the IAG are in the final stages, stadiums are ready to welcome people from all Asians countries, Korea is excited to see mini world “the Asia” as their guests. In this regards the inauguration of main ASIAD stadium of takes place in Incheon, Korea last week. This is a newly built stadium which will be hosting the main events including opening and closing ceremonies of the 17^th Asian games 2014. A friendly match was arranged between the Korean and Kuwait U-23 teams. One of the biggest events of the day was the ignition and carrying of smart torch relay which was specifically designed for the Incheon Asian games for the first time ever in the history of Asian games. Actually smart torch relay is an application specifically developed in 4 languages; Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese for the android users. Basically the torch is shared and will be spread via social media services such as Facebook, Twitter, Kakaotalk / LINE (Both are Korean most-used messengers), Weibo. The flame also relays by using NFC function (Near Field Communication).   

I was one of the few lucky guys who were selected to receive the smart torch relay and it was indeed a great honor for me and my country. I along with family and friends were invited to the inauguration ceremony at main ASIAD stadium Incheon by the Incheon Asian Organizing Committee 2014. I cannot forget the moment when I entered the stadium with the Ambassadors of various countries and the president of IAGOC during the half match break. Facing more than 50,000 people, standing in the center of the stadium, camera and flashes make my feeling amazing. The ceremony took place inside the main stadium where all the distinguished guests stand in a preplanned manner. The Incheon Asian games flame was lightened by the president of IAGOC Mr. Kim Youngsou and he further extended it to Mr. Tunekatsu Takeda, Chairman of the OCA Coordination Committee. The flame passed on through almost 10 people since I received it and I was the last person who received this at that moment. It was indeed incredible to stand there among the distinguished guests.

Soon after the ignition, the application is available at google store where it can be downloaded to support the Incheon Asian game. Besides the information of 17^th Asian games, this app also includes an interesting game to attract user’s continuous using of the application. It goes along with a giveaway event that 3 of the highest scores win valuable prizes. The IAG committee is expecting that this smart phone application will go viral and people from around the globe especially the Asian countries residents will download the application and will be a part of Incheon Asian games 2014.