Best Korean Performances [Buzz Korea]

This article is written for the promotion of Incheon Asian Games 2014. Here are the links for the actual articles.

 http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/performances-korea1/

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Korean dancers are some of the best in the world and a trip to Korea is a great opportunity to enjoy some of these jaw-dropping, gravity-defining performances. Korea has a leading hyllu culture with famous K pop performances which are eminent all around the world. Besides the latest modern performing arts, performances of Korean traditional music and dance still take place regularly and provide the perfect introduction to Korea’s rich cultural heritage. Some Korean shows are a unique blend of the traditional and modern shows which have a lot of magnetisms for those who can’t decide whether to go for the traditional performance or modern shows. JUMP mixes martial arts with slapstick comedy, whilst NANTA takes the traditional percussion rhythms over Samulnori and places them in a modern-day kitchen. These days Korean shows are gaining international acclaim, performing on Broadway, London’s West End, and around the world. Here we go with the 10 nonverbal shows that may be a source of entertainment for you in Korea.

 “Nanta” debuted in October 1997, and has gone on to become the most famous show in Korea, generating the largest audience figures in the country’s history. Nanta landscapes the garak (rhythms) of Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet). The performance introduces five characters: a manager, head chef, a female chef, the sexy guy, and the manager’s nephew.  These five characters constantly beat rhythms on pots, pans and all kinds of kitchen implements, as they race against time to prepare food for a wedding banquet. The audience even gets to join in the fun at this exciting show, which has been performed on Broadway and toured around America and the rest of the world. It a performance valued equally by the Koreans and foreigners.

Ever since first hit the stage in July 2003, Jump has been incredibly popular in Korea. It also has had remarkable international success. In 2005 and 2006 it took the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by storm, and then went on to tour around the world, ending up on London’s West End and New York’s off-Broadway, proving that this musical comedy has universal appeal. The musical JUMP is a non–verbal performance that is based on the traditional movements of taekwondo, a Korean form of martial arts. This innovative show incorporates many of Asia’s martial arts, including Korea's Taekwondo and Taekkyeon, as it tells the story of a family of martial arts specialists who have to defend their house from robbers. As JUMP continues to present endless comic episodes, you definitely won’t feel bored. Instead you may feel like you’re watching a real live TV sitcom drama. The non-verbal musical is also open to audiences of all ages from various countries. The musical starts its opening scene by selecting a martial arts master among the audience. If you go without any prior expectations, each performance will be a whole new feeling. The audiences can double their enjoyment during the performance, hoping to be selected as a martial arts master.

The <Drawing Show> is the first performance of its kind in Korea. This unique show combines art with live performances, as the actors complete amazing works of art on stage. Throughout the 90-minute show, over 10 paintings are created on stage, as well as clowning and dance routines. The show features a variety of art techniques and materials, including finger painting, india ink marbling, and on one occasion banana peels are innovatively used to create a drawing of a flower, which is then given to a member of the audience. In one of the final scenes, the artist David’s famous painting of Napoleon is produced in only six minutes on a 2-meter-high canvas. This, and even more spectacular works of art make the Drawing Show a must see event.

Kimchi, tae kwon do, and now, B-Boying, are what come to mind when you think of Korea, according to R-16 host MC Go. But while that might be a stretch, the former hip-hop dancer’s claim isn’t as groundless as it may initially sound. It is a marathon display of mind-bending, joint-popping and gravity-defying contortions. You may feel wonder by watching the breathtaking skills of the B-Boys.B-Boy KOREA Theater, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul presents some of the splendid performances of the B-Boys. This show is a mixture of music, dance enchanted with the beauty of martial arts. In recent years, Korea has emerged as a B-Boy powerhouse in the global acrobatic hip-hop dance scene, and the 2011 R-16 World B-Boy Masters Championship it hosted every year is considered one of the world’s top five such events. Persons of all ages and languages can enjoy B-Boy KOREA since it uses dance, music, and mime as a universal language. It is a great chance to witness the wondrous skills of the talented B-boys.

Since its premiere in 2007, Karma has been on a world tour of 12 different countries and has been invited to a number of international festivals as an opening or closing performance. This world renowned production is a cross-over non-verbal performance featuring the perfect marriage between dynamic oriental martial arts and beautiful Korean traditional dance. The show is about love, passion, agony, and the avarice of gods: the god of the Sun who rules the universe; the goddess of the Moon, his beloved other half; the god of the North, the arch enemy who wants to win the heart of the goddess of the Moon. Throughout the performance, you will enjoy the magical stage work in perfect harmony with spectacular music.

World Beat VINARI is a musical performance by the fusion gugak (Korean traditional music) group “Dulsori.” it has introduced Korean traditional sound and rhythm to audiences in 53 countries worldwide. World Beat Vinary performance is awesome. It features upbeat and exhilarating Korean rhythms created by a combination of traditional string and percussion instruments, Korean opera, and modern interpretations of folk songs. The music is really amazing. Moreover the traditional village of Korean Society is attractive.

Drum cats performance is offered in MyungBu art hall which is at walking distance from Myeongdong, City hall and Dongdaemun.  It is well close to the subway stations and bus stop. Globally-recognized Korean performance, ‘Drum Cat’ whips people into a frenzy of rhythm and fun. Drum Cat was created in 2003 and is an all-female percussion group .2008 was landmark year for Drum Cat, as the group received both the ‘2008 Edinburgh Festival Herald Angel’ award and the ‘2008 Scotland Cavalcade Best Unit’ award, the first awards even won by a Korean team at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  It is a bit crazy performance beautified by the drum beats of some highly energetic girls. At a moment it feels like you are a part of those crazy cats.

The “Midday Dance Fantasy” has been created to provide an easy and accessible form of Korean dance for audiences in Korea and overseas. Spoken commentary is included to help audiences understand Korean dance. The program includes both traditional dances like “Buchaechum” and “Hallyangmu” and Korean dances adapted to contemporary times, such as new works choreographed by the National Dance Company of Korea. Colorful costumes and diverse props add to the visual spectacle. The performance is divided into two parts the first is the dance performance dedicated to the sky, and the second, to the earth. The show is subtitled into English and that is good enough to appreciate the colorful and vibrant Korean cultural. Small Dum dance: Sogo Chun has been developed in people’s daily life and often played to lift the spirits during farmer’s group labor or a holiday. The paired dance performances are remarkable with background music. They perform with instruments like Daego, Seugjeongu and that is worth watching. The appearance of the winners from Seoul International Dance Competitions adds more charm to the Korean midday dance show.

Traditional Korean band Puri (lead by the artistic director of the National Orchestra of Korea, Won Il) celebrating their twentieth anniversary with this special performances. Puri is a group of extraordinarily talented guys that perform traditional Korean music. It is remarkable to watch their performance with their ultimate skillful way in the KB Haneul Youth. The youth theater is delightful with nice seating arrangements and truly facilitated with many things. The PURI group uses many instruments including the traditional and modern electronic music, a piano, drum, guitars, and various other instruments in their performance.  It is a blended performance of modern and traditional music with an implausible experience.

Bibap is the first performance combining eating and entertainment. There aren’t many shows in the world that use food as the subject. In the musical Bibap, making of the traditional Korean dish bibimbap becomes the main theme and is transformed into a non-verbal performance perfect for everyone taste. Bibap proved global potential through its success at Edinburgh Festival in 2010, forecasting the new market for entertainment. Bibap premiered in Korea in May 2011, and has made itself known to the world as a refreshingly original cultural show. The sounds of washing, cutting, frying and eating food are mixed with B-boy dance, acrobatics, martial arts and other dynamic dances, making up the different ingredients of this delicious dish! 

One thing I like the most about Korea is that, they have made every performance so interesting that they can fascinate the visitors and in captured their hearts with charm and temptations. All these performances will be a source of recreation and real gratification for the visitors on the commencement of Incheon Asian Games 2014. 

Asian Games played at my Country

This article is written for the promotion of the 17th Incheon Asian Games 2014. Here is a link for the website http://blog.incheon2014ag.com/traditional-sports-iagcrew2/

Pakistan is very is the land of games. Its soil has given birth to some of the popular sportsmen and women who have created history in different sports. People of Pakistan love games and thus different traditional, national and international sports are played in Pakistan. The National teams of Pakistan play and participate different events of sports around the globe. Although hockey is the national sport of Pakistan and cricket is by far the most popular one; there are a number of sports in which Pakistan has achieved most success. They are very popular in country. Here is the introduction of some of those games.

Polo

Polo is arguably the oldest recorded team sport in known history, with the first matches being played in Persia over 2500 years ago. This game was adopted as the most noble of pastimes by the Kings and Emperors, Shahs and Sultans, Khans and Caliphs of the ancient Persians, Arabs, Mughals, Mongols and Chinese. It was for this reason it became known across the lands as "the game of kings".

Pakistan is the only country in the world, with the highest Polo Ground at Shandur, Chitral. Polo is a team sport played outdoors on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Riders score by driving a white wooden or plastic ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet. Goals are only valid if the scoring rider is mounted. The traditional sport of polo is played outdoors, and each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.

Squash

Pakistan has achieved most success is squash. Pakistan dominated squash like no other country in the world, the domination lasting for the best part of 5 decades. Pakistan amassed over 30 British Open titles, 14 World Open titles and a lot more PSA professional titles.

The interesting thing is that a family in Pakistan and from my home town ruled the games of Squash for more than 40 years. The names of such great maestros as Hashim Khan who is the reall hero of squash around the globe, his brother Azam Khan, cousin Roshan Khan, son Sharif Khan, nephew Mohibullah, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan (son of Roshan Khan) and Jansher Khan, have adorned the Squash firmament during the last forty-odd years. This galaxy has kept the squash horizon alight with their achievements over the years.

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is an indigenous sport, which is played in all parts of Pakistan, especially rural areas it is one of the most attractive games for the people of all ages. It is also widespread sport of the Sub-Continent and in many parts of India and Bangladesh, Kabaddi is played with equal zeal and enthusiasm. Its forms and styles vary from region to region. Asian-style Kabaddi has been recognized by the South-East Asian countries.

Kabaddi is a team game. Two teams, each having 7 in court players, compete with each other to get higher scores.  The raider starts from the centerline uttering aloud, “Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi…” without any break. He has to run from one side to the other side of the opponent’s court trying to touch either with his hand or leg an opponent. The opponents on the other hand try to catch him before he gets back to the center line and thence to his court. If the raider is caught and loses his chanting breath “…Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Ka…” he is considered out. The team with maximum points is declares the winner.

Snooker 

Snooker is a cue sports that is typically played on a table covered with a green cloth or baize , with pockets  situated in each of the four corners and a further two, commonly referred to as the middle, or side pockets. It is played using a cue and 22 snooker balls, one white cue ball, 15 red balls worth one point each, and six balls of different colors: yellow (2 points), green (3), brown (4), blue (5), pink (6) and black (7). A player (or team) wins a frame (individual game) of snooker by scoring more points than the opponent(s), using the cue ball to pot the red and colored balls. A player receives additional points if the opponent commits a foul or fails to escape from snooker. A player wins a match when a certain number of frames have been won.

Snooker is the most played game in Pakistan; practically every street in even the remotest of areas has a club. It is one of the cheapest games, and every one can play and fulfill their thirst of playing snooker. This is the best game which be played alone. Technically there is a lot of joy in it; you have to beat your opponent by yourself whereas in cricket and hockey you have to rely on your teammates. Pakistan has recently defeated Iran in the World Amateur Snooker Championship. Before that Pakistan has won the world Amateur Snooker Championship two times, which has brought attention of the youth towards this game. Despite facing many issues hampering the true potential of the game, Pakistan is continuously striving to move forward by participating in international tournaments as well as hosting tournaments at home.  

It is a bad news for the snooker lovers that it has been dropped from the Incheon International games 2014 due to financial constraints.