Daegu Theater Troupe's Comedy Cabaret Night

Anyone who knows me knows that theater has been a big part of my life since my early teen years and I am so happy that I am able to continue being involved with theater even now that I am in South Korea. There is a small theater troupe made up of an eclectic group of foreigners based out of my city and I participated in their most recent show.

Daegu Theater Troupe hosted its Comedy Cabaret Night last saturday. The show was held at a local cafe in downtown Daegu and featured short skits and musical acts. I was in four skits in total. It was my first time acting in several years and my first time being involved with theater since I graduated college. It was quite a nerve-wracking experience since my acting chops are a tad rusty, but it went very well. I think I did a good job, If I do say so myself.

We had an awesome turnout - much better than we expected. We were expecting about 50 people to come, but had an audience over closer to 100, possibly even more than that. We had more people show up than we had seats for. It was great to have such a large audience since proceeds from the event went to a local charity. We raised 600,000 KRW for the Maha Buddhist Center, aprox. 525 USD.

I look forward to being involved with future performances with the Daegu Theater Troupe.

Magnum Korea

A few weeks ago, I went to a photography exhibit in Daegu. It was one of the best thing's I've done since coming to Korea. The exhibit showed all facets of life in Korea. It showed the older generation keeping to tradition, the younger generation fighting that tradition, family life, consumerism in Korea, etc.

From their website:

"Magnum Photos is a photographic co-operative of great diversity and distinction owned by its photographer-members. With powerful individual vision, Magnum photographers chronicle the world and interpret its peoples, events, issues and personalities. Through its four editorial offices in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, and a network of fifteen sub-agents, Magnum Photos provides photographs to the press, publishers, advertising, television, galleries and museums across the world."

Lunar New Year Party

Sunday, February 14th was the Lunar New Year. This holiday is typically a family affair in Korea, but also a time for celebration and lots of good food and bowing to your elders. We had a party at preschool on friday and everyone including myself dressed up in hanbok (traditional dress).

Hmm

Do you ever sit back and wonder how long you've been watching Korean television without even realizing that you don't understand a word being said?

My best guess is about two hours. I believe the English language movie I was watching ended about two hours ago and I didn't even notice that the new program is in a language I don't understand. I'm so accustomed to Korean being the background to my life that I didn't feel the need to change the channel (I assume). It's not like I just sit around all the time watching tv in my apartment, I'm doing other work on my computer, but I enjoy having the tv on in the background. I would typically chose something I could understand, but the shift in shows (and languages) didn't even phase me.

Just an observation I made.

I promise a longer post soon and perhaps even some picture of my apartment.

Oh, one more thing - Korean Pop Music (KPop) - awesome or awful depending on your music tastes. I lean more towards awesome although I'd never just sit down and listen to it in my free time, but everyone back home should really check out a few songs. This is the music I hear constantly. Its blasted from stores downtown and is featured on tv commercials.

Chocolate Love by Girl's Generation

Gara Gara Go by Big Bang

My personal favorite: Mazel Tov by ZE:A

Update: 12:25am: American Idol just came on and I find it incredibly distracting and unenjoyable. Must change the channel now.