Friday, 26 July 2013
R16 KOREA 2013 World Masters Championship Review
To be honest, I wasn't very interested in attending R16 events, as I didn't know much about the BBoy culture. It was only after another fellow Korean Performance Supporter told me about how exciting the R16 performances were that I decided to go. As I was allowed to bring my friends along, I was actually quite excited about it initially.
I went for the World Masters Championship help on 14th July, as I wanted to go for the Seaforest performance on the 13th. The event was supposed to start at 6pm, but my friends and I wanted good seats so we decided to go early. However, as it was our first time attending, we had a hard time finding the Olympic Hall. The map provided by KTO was not very useful and we got lost and walked around for around 45 minutes before finding the venue.
By the time we collected our tickets, it was 4.30pm. I really disappointed when I received A class tickets, as I thought Korean Performance Supporters were supposed to get either VIP or R seats. And S seats were for foreigners not in the programme. And A tickets were even worse than S seats. I'm not sure if I was given such bad seats because I brought 3 companions along, or because we were there 30 minutes after 4pm. Regardless, I was expecting at least an S class seat, so the tickets spoilt my mood from the beginning. I felt that KTO should have stated that the seats may not be good, so that my friends and I wouldn't have had such high expectations.
So, my friends and I queued outside the performance venue until we were allowed to go in. We waited until the event began. I'm glad that at least one of the MCs spoke English so that we could understand what was going on. As our seats were so far from the stage, we couldn't really see what was happening very clearly. It was a good thing that there was a video that enlarged what was happening on stage so that we could see better.
The performances by the various groups were very interesting to watch. I personally liked the performance by Russia very much. The performance by Korea's Bboys (Morning of Owl) was unique, and by listening to how much the crowd was cheering for them, I guess they were probably the most popular group. I took some short videos of Morning of Owl performing. They are unique as their moves are very soft and graceful, which is what people don't expect from breakdance performances.
After the group performances, there was the performance by the guest performers. I especially enjoyed the performance by Khan and Moon. I think that was the best performance of the night.
Next, was the crew battle.
I felt that this part was draggy, and quite boring. It was boring because the competitors were no longer performing for us (the audience), but for the judges. Even so, I can't complain as this is a necessary component of the competition. However, as my friends and I lost interest at this point, we decided to leave the event after watching 2 crew battles.
All in all, this was an eye-opening experience as I didn't know anything about Bboys before this. However, the experience could have been much better if we had better seats, and if the crew battle was more interesting.
I went for the World Masters Championship help on 14th July, as I wanted to go for the Seaforest performance on the 13th. The event was supposed to start at 6pm, but my friends and I wanted good seats so we decided to go early. However, as it was our first time attending, we had a hard time finding the Olympic Hall. The map provided by KTO was not very useful and we got lost and walked around for around 45 minutes before finding the venue.
By the time we collected our tickets, it was 4.30pm. I really disappointed when I received A class tickets, as I thought Korean Performance Supporters were supposed to get either VIP or R seats. And S seats were for foreigners not in the programme. And A tickets were even worse than S seats. I'm not sure if I was given such bad seats because I brought 3 companions along, or because we were there 30 minutes after 4pm. Regardless, I was expecting at least an S class seat, so the tickets spoilt my mood from the beginning. I felt that KTO should have stated that the seats may not be good, so that my friends and I wouldn't have had such high expectations.
So, my friends and I queued outside the performance venue until we were allowed to go in. We waited until the event began. I'm glad that at least one of the MCs spoke English so that we could understand what was going on. As our seats were so far from the stage, we couldn't really see what was happening very clearly. It was a good thing that there was a video that enlarged what was happening on stage so that we could see better.
The performances by the various groups were very interesting to watch. I personally liked the performance by Russia very much. The performance by Korea's Bboys (Morning of Owl) was unique, and by listening to how much the crowd was cheering for them, I guess they were probably the most popular group. I took some short videos of Morning of Owl performing. They are unique as their moves are very soft and graceful, which is what people don't expect from breakdance performances.
Next, was the crew battle.
I felt that this part was draggy, and quite boring. It was boring because the competitors were no longer performing for us (the audience), but for the judges. Even so, I can't complain as this is a necessary component of the competition. However, as my friends and I lost interest at this point, we decided to leave the event after watching 2 crew battles.
All in all, this was an eye-opening experience as I didn't know anything about Bboys before this. However, the experience could have been much better if we had better seats, and if the crew battle was more interesting.
Seaforest Review
I've been so busy with midterms lately. This summer programme is really intensive. Finals are coming. T_T
Now, I'll post a review on the Seaforest performance which is long due. I attended the performance on 13th July. The performance was held at KB Haneul Youth Theater (which is in the National Theater of Korea). I felt that it was quite troublesome to get there, as the venue was not within walking distance from the subway station. Thus, in order to get there, I have to either take a shuttle bus or a taxi.
What I didn't like about the shuttle bus service that the bus only came every ten minutes from 1 hour before the performance time till twenty minutes before the performance time. The event was supposed to start at 5pm, but I only reached Dongkuk University Station at 4.42pm. Thus, I had no choice but to take a taxi in order to reach the venue. I feel that the shuttle bus should run until the performance begins, for more convenience.
Anyway, I was allocated a seat at the back, so I wasn't able to take very nice pictures. This was the first picture I took; of the stage before the performance began.
The Seaforest performance was a collaboration between Gong Myoung and Grim. Grim is a music group that creates melodic pieces that represent nature. On the other hand, Gongmyung is a percussion music group. The end result of their collaboration was a delightful blend of traditional Korean and Western music. The kayageum, haegeum, flutes and various percussion instruments shone through the accompanying western instruments such as the keyboard and the guitar. I liked that each musician was valued and celebrated in the variety of songs, fostering a cheery and heartwarming mood throughout.
The two groups played songs rearranged from folk songs as well as adaptations from contemporary works and television dramas. Adding their own voices to some of the songs, it seems as if the music and the musicians have merged into one, creating a powerful harmony that highly captures the hearts of the audience. Overall, it was a magical experience.
After the performance ended, I took a shuttle bus back to the subway, and I left feeling refreshed from such a relaxing performance.
Now, I'll post a review on the Seaforest performance which is long due. I attended the performance on 13th July. The performance was held at KB Haneul Youth Theater (which is in the National Theater of Korea). I felt that it was quite troublesome to get there, as the venue was not within walking distance from the subway station. Thus, in order to get there, I have to either take a shuttle bus or a taxi.
What I didn't like about the shuttle bus service that the bus only came every ten minutes from 1 hour before the performance time till twenty minutes before the performance time. The event was supposed to start at 5pm, but I only reached Dongkuk University Station at 4.42pm. Thus, I had no choice but to take a taxi in order to reach the venue. I feel that the shuttle bus should run until the performance begins, for more convenience.
Anyway, I was allocated a seat at the back, so I wasn't able to take very nice pictures. This was the first picture I took; of the stage before the performance began.
The Seaforest performance was a collaboration between Gong Myoung and Grim. Grim is a music group that creates melodic pieces that represent nature. On the other hand, Gongmyung is a percussion music group. The end result of their collaboration was a delightful blend of traditional Korean and Western music. The kayageum, haegeum, flutes and various percussion instruments shone through the accompanying western instruments such as the keyboard and the guitar. I liked that each musician was valued and celebrated in the variety of songs, fostering a cheery and heartwarming mood throughout.
The two groups played songs rearranged from folk songs as well as adaptations from contemporary works and television dramas. Adding their own voices to some of the songs, it seems as if the music and the musicians have merged into one, creating a powerful harmony that highly captures the hearts of the audience. Overall, it was a magical experience.
After the performance ended, I took a shuttle bus back to the subway, and I left feeling refreshed from such a relaxing performance.
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Drum Cat Review
I have been so busy the past week adjusting to life in Korea. Finally, I have the time to post my review of the Drum Cat performance.
I went for the performance last Saturday, on the 29th of June. That was my first day in Korea. The performance was held at MyungBo Art Hall (Gaon Hall), and was supposed to start at 4pm. Thanks to the map provided by KTO, I was able to find my way there quite easily. It was really near Euljiro 3 ga station, Exit 8!
After reaching the venue, I queued up for my ticket, and was then able to enter the performance hall.
Since we are not allowed to take photos during the performance, I only took a photo of the empty stage before the performance started. The seat I was allocated was really good and comfortable. I had a clear view of the stage! :) Looking at how grand the stage was, I was really anticipating the performance!
There were also Drum Cat merchandise that fans could purchase being sold outside the performance hall. The merchandise had photos and autographs of the performers.
Overall, the Drum Cat performance was very entertaining. I would definitely go for more KTO events in future. :)
I went for the performance last Saturday, on the 29th of June. That was my first day in Korea. The performance was held at MyungBo Art Hall (Gaon Hall), and was supposed to start at 4pm. Thanks to the map provided by KTO, I was able to find my way there quite easily. It was really near Euljiro 3 ga station, Exit 8!
After reaching the venue, I queued up for my ticket, and was then able to enter the performance hall.
Since we are not allowed to take photos during the performance, I only took a photo of the empty stage before the performance started. The seat I was allocated was really good and comfortable. I had a clear view of the stage! :) Looking at how grand the stage was, I was really anticipating the performance!
Soon, the performance started! I was greeted with loud drumming and the show began! The music was nice, but it took some time to get used to the volume of the music. It was too loud for me. However, apart from that, the performance was good.
Drum Cat is a percussion group which consists of only females. There are 6 drummers and one violinist. All the performers were charming and energetic. They would dance and drum in a stylish way, creating music with drums in ways that I could never expect. The way the drums were played with so much variation showed lots of creativity. The performance was made up of different segments. With group performances, solos, and music "battles" between two drummers. It was an impressive performance indeed.
The performers also tried to interact with the audience. Two people were selected to participate in making a song by using a whistle. I felt that the performers did this part really well, as they were able to teach foreigners the right way to join in with only nonverbal communication. It was also nice that the performers tried to involve everyone in their final performance, and got all of us to stand up and clap to their song.
There was a phototaking session with members of Drumcat after the performance. The performers sat in a row and people queued up to talk photos with them.
However, I felt that the area chosen for the phototaking session was too small. A lot of people were crowding round the performers, and I could not see what was happening. It would have been better if a theatre with larger space was chosen for the phototaking session.
There were also Drum Cat merchandise that fans could purchase being sold outside the performance hall. The merchandise had photos and autographs of the performers.
Overall, the Drum Cat performance was very entertaining. I would definitely go for more KTO events in future. :)
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