Visit Korea Special VIP Tour [Day 2-8]

I was addicted to Korean traditional musical performance after I watched 'Fantastick' show. It's like a wish came true to watch another famous show. 

 

 Jeongdong Theater (정동 극장).

 

Before watching Miso: Baebijang-jeon (배비장전), 

we attended a class on how to play Janggu. 

The teacher introduced us this percussion instrument.

Janggu (장구) is Korean Traditional hourglass-shaped drum. To play the janggu, you'll need beating sticks (chae): Gungchae and Yeolchae.

It's like learning Korean language... we're asked to repeat what the teacher said:

Jang~gu, Gung~chae and Yeol~chae, Janggu~chae.

Then we're taught on how to hold the sticks properly:

1. Gungchae on left hand. If you beat it on the janggu it'll make 'Gung' sound.

2. Yeolchae on right hand. If you beat it on the janggu it'll make 'Ttak' sound.

3. Gungchae + Yeolchae together will make 'Dong' sound.

Then, we  practiced to beat a set of rhythm - Jangdan (장단):

'Dong ~ Dong ~ Gung ~ Ttak ~ Gung'.

Now we seemed more professional as the teacher taught us a bit of 

hand variation to beat Gungchae on the right side of Janggu.

After that we learned another 3 sets of basic rhythms: 

1. 'Dong ~ Ttak ~ Ttak ~ Gung ~ Tak ~ Gung'

2. Dong dong dong~~~ dong!

3. Dong ~ Dong ~ (pause) ~ Dong ~ Dong (pause) ~ Dong Dong Dong ~ Dong Dong

The class ended after we played from first to forth rhythm in one go. 박수~!!! 

It's not hard nor easy too. Well, kinda tricky especially when I've to think which hand to hit the Janggu when changing the rhythms. But it's really fun and everyone enjoyed the class because the teacher was really nice and passionate to teach us how to play this folk percussion instrument.

 Yes! Certificate for completing Janggu class. 

(Maybe I can apply job as Janggu performer in Korea) ;P

  
 We were to leave the theater after the class, as they need to prepare the stage.


 Ticket counter open at 7:00 pm for 8:00 pm show.

 Tourists and locals were waiting for the show.

Quite a lot of people inside the hall, so I went outside to take some photos.

 
Secretary Bae (배비장) and District Magistrate (사또).

In the bus, Kim eonni told us meaning of Miso (미소 = Smile) and synopsis of newly created traditional performance of Baebijang-jeon (裵裨將傳 / The Story of Secretary Bae).

Baebijang-jeon is based on classical satire novel of the Joseon Dynasty. It evokes laughter by alluding to the hypocrisy of Secretary Bae who act that he's not interested with beautiful gisaeng and just concentrating in his study.

 Yangban and Giseang lifestyle in Hanyang (capital of Joseon Dynasty).

 

He's appointed as secretary in charge of culture and art. 

He and the Jeju new district magistrate (Satto) sailing to Jeju Island. 

  

Aerang, the most beautiful gisaeng in Jeju that causing

 Hareubang (Stone Statue) to wake up and horses to 

gallop (not Psy's horse-dance) towards her scent.

Secretary Bae doesn’t mingle with the people at the welcoming party of the new magistrate. Instead, he goes around scolding the other secretaries for socializing with gisaengs (courtesans). Satto was curious and wanted to test Secretary Bae. He ordered the male servant to ask Aerang to seduce him.

Aerang's seduction at the waterfall in Hallasan.

Will he be immune to Aerang's seduction as he promised his wife not to have love scandal before he went to Jeju Island?!

I love Baebijiang-jeon show because of its unique and interesting scenario. It's also vividly reviving the style of Joseon era with beautiful and colorful hanbok of Gisaeng, Satto, Yangban, Court dancers.  and nice setting of matching backgrounds according to the storyline.

 

It's so cool that they have using Traditional instruments such as janggu, buk (barrel drum),
jing (gong), Haegeum, Gayageum, and modern drum for live performance.

I was sitting on the second or third row, so I could see those musical performers playing those instruments and creating such an amazing and fantastic sound effects for the whole show.

Not only that, you feel like watching several Gugak and Pungmulnori performances in the show. There were few representative folk dances such as Ogomu (five drum dance), Court Dance Hwa-gwan mu (flower crown dance), Sangmo Dance (pinning streamer hat performance).

 One of the famous painting of Shin Yun Bok also appeared on the 

screen when Secretary Bae and his maid walking to Aerang's house.

 

This live performance brought smiles to everyone... No wonder it's called MISO~! 

When I watched Baebijiangjeon, it reminded me on K-drama 'Arang and the Magistrate.'

Because newly appointed Jeju Magistrate's uniform similar to Satto Kim Eun-oh in the drama. And the leading female performer's name (애랑 / Ae-rang) sounded very similar to Arang (아랑). 

 

We received Souvenirs from Jeongdong Theater:

Miso Program Book with special fabric cover and cap.

You can purchase the the souvenirs at the counter. When I saw the scented candle in the jar, I was so sad. I won it from their contest, but I didn't replay as I only noticed the message after the cut off time. ㅠㅠ

Jeondong Theater Instagram contest: 

Beautiful photo about Korea.

Website: www.jeongdong.or.kr

Add: 43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul.

Phone: +82 2-751-1500

I just noticed from the map that Jeongdong Theater is located between Deoksugung and Kyunhyang Newspaper building. If you have time, I'll recommend you to watch 'Baebijiangjeon' and 'Fantastick' Shows. In between the show, you can visit Deoksu Palace and have your meal at the restaurants or coffee shops at famous Doldamgil (Stone wall street).

This trip is made possible by VisitKorea organised by Korea  Tourism Organization.