If you are going to the Korean Folk Village, MAKE IT A POINT TO CATCH THE SPECIAL PERFORMANCES. If not for the cultural and historical value, at least for entertainment. And you will be plenty entertained, I can pretty much assure that.
Sitting through around a half-hour reenactment of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony might not be your cup of tea. Some may find it quite boring because there isn’t much action. The atmosphere is quite somber to the point of being sacred, and it doesn’t help that the commentaries are in Korean, so foreigners who can’t understand or speak the language could only watch (and put Google to work afterwards, like I did).
But no worries, because the action, fun, and exciting parts that you might be looking for, you may find them in the other performances. Like these last 2 performances.
ACROBATICS ON A TIGHTROPE
I have never been on an acrobatic show. Not even a circus, or anywhere that involves shows with tightropes. (I know, what rock have I been living under my whole life, eh?)
This is also designated as a World Heritage by the UNESCO, and is registered as Cultural Asset No. 58. This show combines dancing, singing, and storytelling… all on the tightrope.
Right after the Farmers’ Music & Dance show at the Performance Area, we moved to the area on the right side, where the acrobatics show will be performed. By this time, the sun was really high up, and it was quite hot, so we took a spot under the trees, just to get a bit of shade. Not that it helped much, it was really hot. In fact, I was sweating just watching the Master of Ceremonies making the introductions. I’m betting that costume is made of satin or silk. Which. Can. Be. Quite. Hot.
He was actually discreetly trying to move under the shade. And fanning himself from time to time. He seemed pretty entertaining because the crowd was responding to him, but I was, like, “English, please”. Haha!
There was a lone drummer boy to provide the background sound/music.
In the middle of the area were two iron poles stuck to the ground, on opposite ends, with a rope running from one pole to the other. It looked sturdy enough.
And then this lean, petite figure in white, holding a fan, walked up on the rope.
At first, I thought it was a teenage boy or something. And then I realized she’s a girl when she started speaking. And when I zoomed in, she’s this pretty lass~
Her tricks started simple, but you can already tell that it is effortless on her part. I wonder how long she trained for this. We watched, the crowd ooh-ing and aah-ing as she moved from one end of the tightope to another, the level of difficulty of her tricks and dances on the rope also going higher.
You know how, when you watch a rodeo show, you are waiting for the bullrider to be thrown off the back of the bull and hit the dirt? Or, in car races, you somehow keep your eyes peeled for when a car careens uncontrollably and crashes? Or, in a petting zoo, a part of you anticipates one of the lions or tigers to go berserk and bite… something?
Well, a part of me was wondering if I will see this acrobat fall off the rope.
It didn’t happen, though. 🙂
All throughout, she was poised and relaxed. This was essentially a one-woman show (well, not counting the guy hitting the drum. Watch the video at the end of this post for that.) because she was also the one engaging the crowd, chatting with them, talking to them about King-Sejong-knows-what. I only understood the parts where she taught the crowd Korean phrases that mean “Good job!” and “You can do it!” so they can chant them to her when she’s in the middle of one of her tricks.
I was expecting, like, at least two or three acrobatics to be performing, not just the one. I would have probably found it more exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I liked this performance by this lady, because she did it so beautifully and we were just amazed by her skills. It’s just that I’m saying it would have been better if she had someone else to play off on.
My mind tends to wander at times and, not too far from where we were seated, was this little boy with his Pororo toy in his arms.
The performance lasted for around 30 minutes as well. The minute it ended, we immediately rushed to the other side of the Performance Area, where the Equestrian Feats performance will be staged.
EQUESTRIAN FEATS
Equestrian Feats features the Magi, or the Masangjae, which refers to “fancy horseback riding skills using martial arts”.
I had high hopes for this performance. The moment I caught a glimpse of the horses on the far side of the enclosure, I started feeling excited. In fact, my friend and I did not bother to look for seats on the stone bleachers, which were getting filled real quick. We opted to just stand against the enclosure.
The MC also made the introductions for this show. Another guy in traditional garb walked around, gesturing for us to stay a good distance away from the fence because, well, the riders will be using whips and who knows how long they can reach. 🙂
Again, no English commentaries. By this time, we have accepted that reality. Haha!
We watched the horses being prepped and saddled up, and the riders, in white and green also gearing up for the show.
Not long after, it began. The music was already rousing, and I suppose there is no need for commentaries on this one. Sure, the MC was speaking at some parts, while the riders were performing, presumably explaining what is going on and hyping us up further but, to be honest, the music alone was enough to pump us up.That, and all the action taking place in front of us.
It started with the riders galloping out into the circle one by one, each of them showing off introductory tricks. If I remember correctly, there were 7 or 8 riders in all. But around 5 horses only.
From the very beginning, the riders were already brimming with energy. They were whooping and laughing, clearly enjoying themselves, and connecting with the crowd while keeping firm control of the horses.
And out came the whips. Well, naturally the whip was used to keep the horses in check, although they never really used them directly on the animals, but on the ground. And they also used them on tricks. Like putting flowers in front, and the riders aiming at the flowers with their whips. To increase the difficulty, they make one of their own extend both hands to the side, holding flowers, and aim at the flowers with the whips as well.
In a somewhat crazy move, one of them stood on the shoulders of another, with a flower sticking out of HIS MOUTH, and they whipped it out too.
I guess that was a moment to let the horses rest, because the next thing you know, they were out again, and the riders this time had different types of weapons in their hands, such as swords and spears. They performed fancy movements with these weapons while galloping around the circle.
The energy and playfulness of the riders were infectious. They also inserted some comic relief a lot, often at their expense.
The second half were mostly group performances, where two or three horses would come out together, and the riders will be performing acrobatics on the back of the horses, without breaking stride. They twist this way, face forward, face backward, lift their legs high, and even do a complete 360 turn on the saddle.
It was breathtaking. Literally.
There were even parts where they toss swords to the person on the horse in front of them, or behind them, while going full gallop ahead.
And what about when they completely get off the saddle, and with one foot on the stirrups while holding on to the saddle, cling to the horse’s side?
It is clear that these guys have good teamwork. Oh you can immediately tell who the best riders are, but as a team, they are even better.
I am no expert on horseback riding, or even watching it, so I can’t really tell if there’s a technical error or not. But there were times that they had misses, like one of the riders unable to catch up to the horse. But they play it off and find ways to get back on the saddle somehow. And make it look like it was all part of the show.
And they really looked like they were having a ball, too.
One of the highlights near the end of the performance were riders piling up in succession on the back of a horse on the move. So they have to race up after the horse or keep apace with it, then pull themselves up. I was momentarily concerned that the horse could not take their weight, but then these riders look like they don’t weigh much (or else they could not jump like THAT), and the horses looked more than robust to take them all on.
The whole time, my hands were dying. See, my left hand was holding my digital camera, clicking and clicking randomly, hoping and praying they get something – anything – good.(They are the ones posted here. Don’t ask me how many photos I ended up taking, you’d think I’m crazy.) My right hand was holding my phone, taking videos. 🙂 I thank the fence for providing support for my elbows.
In my opinion, they saved the best for last. I enjoyed this last performance immensely. Which is why I took way too many videos of it. Aherm. And sharing them with y’all, of course. 🙂
My next post about the Korean Folk Village has something to do with food. Look out for that!!
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