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| Autumn is known as “festival season” in Korea, and this year the Korea Sparkling Festival kicks off the season in style. Immerse yourself in Korean culture by watching some live performances. No less than 18 different shows will be performed from 12th to 27th September and there really is something for everyone: intoxicating rhythms of samulnori drums, mesmerizing traditional dances, b-boys breakdancing, musicals and much more. With great deals on tickets everyone can enjoy memorable performances at the Korea Sparkling Festival. |
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Great Choice for Travelers: Non-verbal performances
During the 2009 Korea Sparkling Festival, 18 performances will be taking place, most of which are non verbal and so can be easily enjoyed by non-Korean speakers. 6 of these performances have been specially programmed for the festival. The opening show, which will take place on the lawns of Gyeonghuigung Palace at 7:00pm on 12th September (Sat), will feature extracts of some of Korea’s most famous shows, such as 《Nanta》,
《Sachoom》, 《BREAK OUT》, 《JUMP》 and 《Drawing
show》. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy performances by Hallyu (Korean cultural wave) stars.
Take your pick!
We’ve put together a guide to all the fun performances taking place during this festival. There are plenty to choose from, including dance and percussion performances, a drawing show, a bubble performance, dynamic Samulnori and a beautiful traditional fan dance – you might want to see everything! Don’t miss the 20% discount offered on performance tickets, and if you go to 2 or more performances, you can get at least a 30% discount!
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Dance, Dance, Dance! |
JUMP |
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JUMP is the world’s first martial-arts dramatic performance. JUMP contains breathtaking displays of oriental martial arts, such as Taekwondo and Taek-kyeon, as well as acrobatic displays. Leaps, jumps, and high kicks are set to an amusing storyline, which is told in a non-verbal way. Created in Korea, JUMP has been performed in New York, London, and around the world.
Location: The JUMP Theatre (33-1 Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Times: Mon 20:00 / Tue-Fri 16:00, 20:00 / Sat 13:00, 16:00, 20:00 / Sun & Holidays 15:00, 18:00
Contact: +82-2-722-3995
☞ For more info
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BREAK OUT |
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BREAK OUT is an “Extreme Dance Comedy”. It’s an amusing tale of four prisoners making their break for freedom, and on their way they run up walls, spin on their heads, and perform a riotous mix of break dancing and acrobatics. Escaping from the prison, they make their way through a hospital and a nunnery, causing chaos wherever they go.
Location: The BREAK OUT Theater (33-1 Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
Times: Tue-Fri 20:00 / Sat 16:00, 20:00 / Sun, Holidays 18:00 (No performances on Mondays)
Contact: +82-2-722-3996
☞ For more info
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Battle B-boy |
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Battle B-boy is a mesmerizing harmony of Korean traditional dance and B-boy dance. It features Korean traditional items, such as fans and baks, and the B-boys dance to Korean traditional music. The unique combination of hip-hop and Oriental music and the sets made from Korean ink paintings, create an exciting, memorable spectacle.
Location: Exclusive B-Boy Theatre (Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul)
Times: Tue-Fri 20:00 / Sat 14:00, 18:00 / Holidays 14:00 (No performances on Mondays)
Contact: +82-2-323-5233
☞ For more info
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Sachoom |
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Sa-choom is a dance musical that tells a story through energetic song and dance routines. This entertaining love story features an impressive range of dances, such as hip-hop, jazz, modern dance, and break dance. During the performance the audience is actively encouraged to take photos and to sing and dance along with the performers.
Location: The Sachoom Theater (4F Nakwon building, Insa-dong Seoul)
Time: Tue-Fri 20:00 / Sat 16:00, 19:30 / Sun 16:00 (No performances on Mondays)
Contacts: +82-2-3676-7616
☞ For more info
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Heart-pounding Performances |
Nanta |
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'NANTA' is a non-verbal performance that dramatizes traditional Korean percussion music in a comedic stage show. Integrating unique Korean traditional drumbeats in a western performance style, NANTA storms into a huge kitchen where four crazy cooks are preparing a wedding banquet. While cooking, they turn all kinds of kitchen items - pots, pans, dishes, knives, chopping boards, water bottles, brooms and even each other- into percussion instruments.
Location & Times:
- NANTA Theater in Gangbuk: 14:00, 17:00, 20:00 everyday
- NANTA Theater in Gangnam: Tue-Fri, 20:00; Sat, 17:00, 20:00; Sun & holidays, 17:00 (no performances on Mondays)
Contact: +82-2-739-8288
☞ 2009 NANTA - Gangbuk Show
☞ 2009 NANTA - Gangnam Show
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Fanta-Stick |
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Experience this unique music and dance show, featuring the pounding percussion beats and touching melodies of traditional Korean music fused with western music genres, such as POP to Rock music! Fanta-Stick is a musical based on a traditional Korean folk tale and features a fan dance, martial arts inspired music and aerial ballet!
Location & Times: 63 Art Hall in 63 City / 20:00 everyday
Contact: +82-2-6401-5959
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Drum Cat Concert |
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Drum-cat is a female drum group, whose precision drumming, stylish moves, and energetic performances will have you out of your seat and cheering. This group is a hit with audiences in Korea and has had success abroad, picking up prestigious awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Enjoy the ultra-fast beats and charisma of this beautiful group.
Location: Gaon Hall in Myungbo Art Hall
Times: 12th-17th Sep 20:00 / open-run from 18th Sep: Mon-Sat 14:00, 20:00; Sun & holidays 14:00, 18:00
Contact: +82-2-323-5233
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| ■ Fantastic Special Shows! |
Drawing Show |
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The Drawing Show is a nonverbal musical show in which performers complete amazing paintings on stage. This unique show combines art, theatre, and music to create a high-energy performance that will delight audiences of all ages.
Location: The Drawing Show Theater
Times: Mon-Fri, 20:00 / Sat 16:00, 19:00 / Sun & holidays 15:00, 18:00
Contact: +82-2-766-7848
☞ For more info |
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Bubble World by FAN YANG |
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FAN YANG is a world-renowned bubble artist with 16 Guinness world records and 25 years of experience in bubble shows. Children and adults alike will be amazed by this fun-packed bubble extravaganza, which features super-large wind fans, snow machines and laser beams. FAN YANG’s 2004 production, White Bubble show premiered in Korea and then went on to delight audiences on Broadway, Las Vegas, Japan, Russia, and Australia. Bubble World is an exciting new show that includes dance, mime, music and spectacular bubble displays.
Location: Daon Hall in Myungbo Art Hall
Times: Mon-Wed: 15:00 / Thu-Fri: 15:00, 20:00 / Sat 14:00, 16:30, 20:00 / Sun 14:00, 16:30
Contact: +82-2-2263-9741~2
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GAMARJOBAT SILENT COMEDY In KOREA 2009 |
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This non-verbal, ultra-hilarious comedy show has been performed in 23 countries around the world. Using mime and physical comedy, this talented duo from Japan have created an original show that will have you rolling in the aisles.
Location: Art hall Mac in Mapo Art Center
Times: 9th-27th September / Tue-Fri 20:00; Sat 15:00, 19:30; Sun 16:00 (no performances on Mondays)
Contact: 1588-4446
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| ■ The Spirit of Korea |
Kim, Duk-Soo’s Traditional Yeonhui Performance <Pan>
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Travel back in time with this glorious performance of traditional Korean music, dance, and theater. The show opens with the performers parading through the audience banging drums and gongs and singing joyful melodies. The infectious rhythms of samulnori will soon have your feet tapping and your body moving. Highlights of the show are the mesmerizingly beautiful Korean traditional dances and the folk songs, which the performers and the audience sing together. Helpful English subtitles are provided and audience members can take photos with the performers after the show. A wonderful memento of Korea.
Location: Yeonhui Theater in Gwanghwamun Art Hall (284-1, Sajik-dong, Jongno-gu)
Times: Wed-Fri, 19:30 / Sat, Sun & holidays 16:00 (no performances on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Contact: +82-2-2232-7952
☞ For more info
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MISO |
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This is a beautiful love story of a young couple living in the Joseon Dynasty. The show compares their love to the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The show features a variety of traditional performances including Korean dance, instrumental performance, pungmulnori(farmers’ percussion), and pansori (Korean epic chant).
Location & Times: Chongdong Theater, 20:00 everyday (no performance on Mondays)
Contact: +82-2-751-1941
☞ For more info
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Korea House Folk Performance |
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Korea House has been introducing traditional Korean performing arts to travelers for almost 3
decades. Performances take place throughout the year in Korea House, and their performers have
also toured around the world, performing around 850 times every year.
The show expresses the essence of the spirit of Korea. The program includes “Buchaechum” - a beautiful fan dance performed in royal costume; “Pansori” – the singing of Korean folktales; “Ogomu” – dancing while playing 5 hanging drums; “Sinawi” - an ensemble of seven traditional music instruments, “Salpuri” - a traditional shamanism dance to prevent bad luck, “Sarangga Dance” – a theatrical dance performance of love scenes; “Taepyeongmu” – a royal court dance; “Nongak-nori” - a lively percussion performance.
Location: Korea House Traditional Art Theater
Times: Tue-Sat 19:00, 20:30 / Sun 20:00 (no performances on Mondays)
Contact: +82-2-2277-2768
☞ For more info
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Special Performances |
| Dates |
Sep 12th |
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Myeong-dong Art Center |
THE ZEN |
Marionette |
ZEMITA |
Monster’s Theatre |
Sejong Center, M theater |
Korea-Japan joint musical, ‘The Sound of Silence’ |
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THE ZEN |
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An instrumental performance where the audience is invited to participate in the performance.
Times: 12th September 15:00, 19:30 / 13th 14:00, 18:30 / 14th-15th 20:00
Contacts: +82-2-338-9240
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Marionette |
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In this innovative B-Boy performance, the performers move just like puppets. A heartwarming story combined with breathtaking dance moves has made this show a big hit.
Time: 16th-17th Sep, 20:00 / 18th 16:00, 20:00 / 19th 15:00, 19:30
Contacts: +82-2-372-0752 |
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ZEMITA |
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“Fun Percussion”! This creative percussion performance features the daily lives of workers in a “rhythm manufacturing factory”.
Time: 20th Sep, 18:30 / 21st - 23rd 20:00
Contacts: +82-2-3445-7685
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Monster’s Theatre |
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A fun comic fantasy show starring mischievous monsters.
Time: 24th Sep, 20:00 / 25th 16:00, 20:00 / 26th 15:00, 19:30 / 27th 14:00, 18:30
Contacts: +82-2-572-4482
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The Sound of Silence |
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“Therapy Musical”. Korea and Japan have combined forces to produce a beautiful moving musical that hopes to heal the wounds of some of their shared history. Featuring entrancing oriental melodies.
Times: 4th-20th Sep / weekdays 19:30; Sat 15:00, 19:00; Sun 16:00 (no performances on Mondays)
Contact: +82-2-399-1772
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★ 2009 Korea Sparkling Festival
* Contact: +82-2-789-0292
☞ Official website: www.koreainmotion.com (available in Korean, English and Japanese)
☞ Related column: 10 of the Best Performances in Korea ☞ Related news:
Korea
Sparkling Festival- Online Reservation System Open |
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Related Festivals |
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R-16
Since 2007, this has been the world’s top b-boy contest. The “R” in R-16 stands for “respect”. This year, 16 top b-boy crews from 15 countries will battle for the best b-boy crown. Hop-hop performances will also be held. Expect an electric atmosphere and jaw-dropping moves. Date: 25th-27th Sep. 18:00
Location: Biryu Performance Theater, Incheon Global Fair & Festival
Contact: +82-2-576-3463
☞ Official website: www.r16korea.com (available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)
☞ Column on Incheon Global Fair & Festival
Korea Traditional Performing Arts Festival 2009
All different kinds of Korean traditional performing arts will be performed at this festival, including music, songs, dance, play, martial arts and acrobatics. The Festival also includes exhibitions, and activity and educational programs.
Date: 16th (Wed) - 20th (Sun), Sep. 11:00 – 22:00
☞ Location: National Museum of Korea
Contacts: 0707-506-2848~9
☞ Official website: www.openpan.com (available in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)
The 6th Asia Song Festival 2009
Korea’s most famous K-pop groups, such as Big Bang, Girls Generation, and Super Junior, will be making an appearance at this star-studded concert. Singers from Japan, Taiwan, and other Asian countries are also scheduled to appear.
Date: 19th Sep. 18:00
Location: Seoul World Cup Stadium
☞ Related news
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