R 16 World B Boy Masters Championship 2013

 R 16 World B Boy Masters Championship 2013

It was yet another rainy day July 14. 2013, me with friends were excited to see the finals of world B Boy Master Championship. It was held at the “Olympic Hall” in one of the very beautiful parks in Seoul “Olympic Park”. This world championship was for two days but I managed to attend the 2^nd day only.

R 16 B Boys Championship has been a real craze in Korea for last many years now.  R 16 being the real passion of youth is mainly organized by Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) and thanks to KTO for the VIP tickets for me and my friends.

I have already attended couple of B Boys competitions so my excitement level was very high. And these R 16 finals were more than my expectations.

The show started with astonishingly wonderful B Boys Crew performances by all the teams. Those were so amazing and so perfectly synchronized that making it so theatrical and phenomenal. Team Australia started it and lifted the level of competition for other teams but each team was well prepared and ready to give its best. Chinese performance was very impressive and was competing really good performances by Russian, French, US and Japanese teams. My vote was for Chinese and French team. French team performance was a bit unique with respect to moves along with music. Last performance from Korea team was different from all. Its music, style, rhythm, moves, formations were totally different and having the flavor of Korean culture in it, which made the performance really fascinating. People loved it and were wonderstruck to see real fast moves synchronized with slow and fast unconventional music for such kind of performance.

After these performances, there was a GuestShow, as I attended the 2^nd day of final which was mainly about the B Boys Competitions so I missed the 1^st day of Poppin and Lockin Dancing Competitions, but the thanks for Khan n Moon and Blue Whale Brothers whose guest show performance Poppin and Lockin was best of this event. It was simply speechless.

After that the show moved towards B Boys Battles, Unfortunately for France team, named Melting Force, they had the real tough time against Korean tam “Morning of Owl” in the first match and so being knocked out. France team in my opinion was very tough like Russian and Australian teams who made turned the B Boys Battles into Wars many times, along with all spirits sportsmanship. After the nerve cracking semifinals there was thrilling, electrifying, hair rising, magnificent, wild and wondrous final between Korean team “Morning of Owl” and Japanese team “Body Carnival”. 

Morning of Owl showed some really stunning and impressive hidden moves and group formations which were of much higher level than that of all other teams there. Two girls members in the Body Carnivals if were the strength of their team but also sometimes became weakness, but they must me appreciated well in my opinion. While in the Korean team the little guy who spun their at the fastest speed for a longest time along with changing style and showing tricks while spinning was real gem of the team and was hero of the day. He removed his shirt while spinning so swiftly and perfectly and it was breathtaking like many other moves from Korea. Results were quite obvious the best among the teams Morning of Owl (Korea) were the deserving winners while Japan being the runners up.

Before results there was another speechless performance by day 1^st Judge, “Saleh”, this solo performance was fabulous, magnificent, mind blowing, spine tingling, heart stopping, marvelous and beautiful. He is one of the legends in the field of dancing. After results there was prize distribution leading to the party time. I missed Jay Park and Bgirl Terra as I have to come back to city Ansan so we rushed back to catch Subway.

It was indeed one of the best shows of my life, a beautiful addition in the treasure of life memories especially of Korean life.

 

Grim/Gongmyung Project Concert [Sea Forest]

Grim/Gongmyung Project Concert [Sea Forest]

And yet another marvelous event of magical music in Yeowoorak Festival, named Grim/Gongmyung Project Concert ( Sea Forest) on 13th July, 2013 at National Theater of Korea was attended by me with my friends Omer Mustapha and Muhammad Waqas.

Composing music is one of the difficult art and presenting it live with perfection and excellence makes it more difficult but it was seemed to be easy for this group who was playing music magically and beautifully there.

This group consists of about 12 member each one is an expert and so much talented to play no of different instruments or same kind of instrument differently.

There were about tens of various old and new instruments i did not even know many of them till then but now their sounds and music composed and developed by this group is still in my mind.

Their all tracks very unique and with various moods. If there was one track of slow music having a mystic and mysterious theme then after that there was a track full of joy and happiness named "Spring Dance". Some tracks were there using only few instruments like one track was composed using different types of drums, while other tracks were using almost all the instruments available. 

There was a big screen behind the performers, showing name of each track and for some track a video being played according to theme of the track. it was so theatrical and sensationally effective. I would like to call their music Melodiously Magical.

Each track was so deep and so catchy that each person in the audience was deeply indulged in their music.

I would like to appreciate and congrats the whole group for making such a heart touching music and I am really very happy to witness it,

Drum Cats

It was 29th June,2013 with one of my best buddies in Korea, Usman Ishfaq, i went to see a performance at Myungbo Art Hall near Chungmuro subway station in Seoul. It was a performance by a group of super active ladies in black playing music with drums and presenting as Drum Cats.
The performance was about different styles of drums and beating the drums with somehow differently. As the performers used drums music mainly as represented by the name of event so it was a sort of monotonous performance for me. Although there were various sessions of their performance but all were somehow same as all were only about drums.
Stage was a bit well decorated according to the type of event and lighting and sound system was also good enough. Precision, pace and style was somehow unique and must be appreciated but this whole concept can be used as a whole to attract spectators. I mean to say only drumming can not engage and entertain people for a longer run rather it should be the part of other performances like Korean martial arts, free style dancing or some traditional music mashed up with the modern music.

So the Drum Cat led us to a sort of boredom after sometime.
It was totally a girl show not even a single male performer was there and i think it was a kind of another missing element in the show. Any boy with some free style dancing and showing some b boys moves would have obviously put some spice in it. But it was all girly and all drummy.
There was a violin playing girl who participated in a couple of parts of the show and i think she did her best to make that show a bit changed because of here really good violin music and a few dance moves.

There was also a portion of audience involvement in playing music with a whistle...so cats tried to make something new out of drumming and whistling but not succeeded fully.
During a part of music the cats also tried to make some fun and to be funny but it was simply pathatic and went flat so i suggest not to do it again.

In the end i like to say that it was over drumming that made the show not to be recommended futhur but here i would like to appreciate the hard work of all the girls there as they did their best and their drum beating skills, fitness and style should be motivated.
Do not worry Girlz...it is not because of you...its just the whole concept that did not work exactly.
Using the same power drumming i hope the creative team will make something more exciting, worth seeing and newer soon.

I personally enjoyed the company of my friend as usual so my trip was not bad at all rather an other friends hangout which to memorized forever

"Seoul Walking Tour"..... Let's Goooo

Since when I am in South Korea, I am having problem about language barrier that is why I feel a kind of hindrance in my mind every time whenever I decided to explore various cities of Korea. I live in Ansan a small city which is growing rapidly and it is located near Seoul and luckily Seoul Metro Subway covers this city as well.

Seoul being the real attraction of South Korea is always remained undiscovered whenever I visited it even though if I had leisure time.

My curiosity to explore and go wild to see and experience new made me to use many touring applications in my phone to discover Seoul more and more, but it was somehow not satisfactory or you may say not up to my own expectations.

But then as KTO member I was asked to use “Seoul Walking Tour” App, which is unique of its kind and with some new concepts.

This application is developed by Korean Tourism Organization KTO so it is especially for tourists and is authentic enough to be trusted, followed and recommended.

Firstly it solves the problem of language that one can use this application in many languages like English, Japanese, and Chinese. Then it provides you to explore the attractions by a simple walk. But this walk in not as simple as I said…it covers about 20 attractions and places worth seeing and charming for tourists.

I personally think that one cannot complete this walk in one day.  If you really want to enjoy each and every tourist spot then you have to use this app again and again.

Having this installed in your phone you feel like you have conquered the downtown of Seoul, it covers mainly three regions each have many places which are important and famous with respect to tourism.

1.       Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggye Plaza

Gwangtonggyo Bridge

Jeongjo

Neunghaeng Banchado

Supyogyo Bridge Site

Ogansugyo Bridge

2.       Jongno 

Bosingak Pavilion

Yukuijeon

Tapgol Park

Insa-dong

Jogyesa Temple

Postal Memorial Hall

3.       Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Seoul City Hall

Gwanghwamun Plaza

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

Seoul Museum of History

Jeongdong-gils Cheon

Each of these places is worth seeing and well recommended on internet by tourists.

If you do not have Seoul Walking tour app then I am afraid that you have to plan separately for each place to visit but through this useful app in your phone you will be able to manage your short visit of Seoul into highly exploring and attractive one as it guides you thoroughly and tells exactly where to go and what to see. So nothing will be missed in your tour.

Another unique feature of this application is the Audio files having the imp info and guidelines about the place you are visiting. This helps you a lot and makes the application more easy to use you just have to select and listen.

This app also includes important and detailed info about each place you are visiting. Information includes almost every thing you may need to know about the attraction you are visiting from history to the no of visitors. it also tells you about the fee of entrance into any place if there so you may also manage your budget if touring in groups.

It shows you the map of the place you are heading to so you are not lost anywhere. This map is precise as shown in the screenshot.

Then the most important feature is the help line that is free and language friendly an operator is there to help you in different languages about any problem you might be having during your visit to downtown. The no is 1330…one should know no and should have this application in his phone to avoid any inconvenience.

I personally have been in Cheonggye Plaza, Gwanghwamun Plaza and  Seoul City Hall and so almost all related areas nearby in all directions.

Ultra Music Festival, Korea 2013.

ULTRA KOREA, 2013.

Ultra Music Festival, Korea 2013......held at Olympic Sports Complex, near Jamsil station in Seoul on 14th and 15th of June.

Music Madness at its heights, party on all the time....yes it was the UMF

The largest, craziest music mania in Seoul with world best DJs and all the insanity related.

After a generous early dinner by KTO for K Supporters we got the ticket of this highly awaited the UMF, after crossing the huge crowd we entered the area full of peoples, a lots of stalls and booths and of course music at its best.

After volunteering with team at KTO booth, which i enjoyed very much too.

We all headed towards the main area.

Many stages were set for the music lovers…like arena, live stage and the main stage.

First the live stage with live performances... people were sitting on the grass and enjoying different meals sold at the food stalls but a tremendous number of people were gathered there as it was YB on the stage.

I enjoyed the live concert at live stage it was thrilling, vivid, sensational and powerful and driving the people crazy.

People were so large in number, enjoying everywhere….with unique get ups….having concert gadgets…glowing lights…and caps etc.

Then the main stage was set at the main stadium with plenty of stalls and booths with games and different shows by different companies…..promoting offers…and enjoying too.

World best DJs were there at the main stage with continuous performances and showering the insanity all over all around.....

I enjoyed the super sonic music played by the one and only Sander vanDoorn. Just to enjoy the real depth of  his music and the craziness of his fans i made my way nearer to the stage...and being there was awesome.

As the darkness prevailed music addiction penetrated into the blood and people went really crazy.

Just Waaaaoooooow……. Thousands of people jumping…dancing…waving…singing….together making the environment more electrifying.

At last it was AVICII time….. crowd was shouting for him….everyone was like dying  to be near and near…..and I was in between this huge crowd. He rocked them all with no time. he really put the stage on fire. just have a look.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGs7CrKPj1w 

It was a memorable music festival for me...... thanx KTO...once again. 

JUMP....!

Wondered by the title…fighting with my pre thoughts….and settling down my highly pre occupied and stuffed mind….i reached at Jump Theater (5^th floor of Seoul Cinema Building) near to Jongno 3-ga station, just before 8pm on 14^th June, 2013 along with my friend, who was also not sure about the play.

I got my tickets easily, exclusively arranged by KTO, (Thanxeous Aloteous the KTO), took the flyer of Jump and entered a cozy theater.

Then the show started with an unexpected high energy and I was wonder-struck about the concept of the play. It is a totally hilariously houseful, cunningly comic, dazzlingly dynamic, astonishingly elevated from my expectations and super splendid. Full of laughs mixed with wonderful martial arts.

I came to know that this play is world famous, and it has been Jumping since 2003. The Times, London says truly that it is “supersonic” and I know now that why it’s internationally popular and appreciated. It is a complete family entertainment and a full package of fun and laughter.

Being involved somehow with the performing arts and writing comic I was watching the play a bit more critically. The play having a story behind moving with high pace and blended beautifully with extra ordinary truly Korean styled Martial Arts with some dance moves as well. Story has 4 continuous episodes, each having more fun and laughter.

All actors were equally blessed with martial arts were perfectly performing each comic expressions and delivering all dynamism of the story excellently to all the audiences.

Every type of comic was there, if character comic was at its heights then the whole play was based on situational comic too and so actively involving all of us into the depths and grooves of performances so amazingly that we did not have any idea of time spending and this is a clear sign of a successful play.

I liked all characters, but my most favorites were and are the sleepy boy and the stupid thief….and the great grandfather also who made the play more exciting.

Hats off to the producer, director and whoever involved in making such a remarkable play.

To me it is highly recommended for all….and is my top most favorite non-verbal comic performance till now. Just make your reservations at http://www.yegam.com/jump/eng/

Pictures were not allowed during the play…but thanks to the team there was a Autograph session by all the performers in the end, so I filled my camera with a lots of pics. 

R 16 Korea 2013.... Real Battle On....

Dance is passion, style, adventure, thrill….and life. Its bridging the arts with science now, it’s becoming a subject to teach and learn, a sports to play and challenge, an industry to run, a thrill to excel in, a passion to live and a life to be proud of.

Competition always makes things to grow from good to be excellently perfect. Close battles, winning and losing, sportsman spirits lead anything to new directions and after all it is the universal law to be respected everywhere….”Survival of the fittest.”

Dancing is no more simple enough, it’s categorized in various types and levels, while the most famous and interesting are Popping, Locking, and Free Styles dancing.

It was May 25, 2013 The R16 Korea 2013 Qualifier  Competition was held at the Performing Arts Hall of city of “Uijeongbu” near Seoul. Korean Tourism Organization KTO was as usual one of the organizers of this event. This city is very far away from my city Ansan and it took more than 2 hours for me and my friends to reach there at the venue of this great show. We reached a bit late, and  I was worried about the tickets as all tickets were sold out about 2 to 3 hours before the show is started…but Thanks KTO, I got my ticket after all. All tickets were standing tickets….. but anyway we were in the hall standing beside the live covering T.V camera.

 

Performances of International Judges obviously were best of all. They proved within few minutes that they deserve to judge the battles and decide about the winner. The performances from all judges are now the part of my favorite videos play list treasure.

Here is link of a video on youtube, of Performances Poppoing Judges.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmCRLI5ik_A 

The Popping competition was one of the best one. Girls in all scenarios gave equally tough time to all boys.

In Locking Competition was awesome too…A Lady Luna knocked out the guy with her flexible foot moves, and rhythmic locking with music.

Then B Boys Crew Battles… the real competition like a live wire, all members of b boys team were competent enough to give the opponents a real tough time.  I already knew some of the members in the competition as they were in the B boyz free style 3 on 3 event held in at KTO headquarters in Seoul last month.

Morning of Owl were the deserving winners in this category. Their team moves were very fascinating and beautifully exhibited.

A great show with respect to quality of dancing, judging, audiences, level of competition , excitement, and adventure.

 

In the end thnx to KTO for providing us another opportunity to witness another great show of Korea.