[Events ✿] Korean Traditional Dance Performance: A Thousand Year Inheritance

A Thousand Year Inheritance Leaflet

About a month ago, I accidentally stumble upon the Korean Embassy Webpage and discovered that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are hosting a Korean Folk Dance Performance: A Thousand Year Inheritance. The event is bound to take place in 3 days at the time of my discovery! But being unsure of what to expect at the performance or whether its worth catching it or not, I did a little further research about the performance before deciding to spend my weekend immersed in a little Korean culture.

I found out that this performance is organized by a well-known dance company in Korea and whats more is that the dance team is professionally trained and even conducts performances aboard! 와...대박! [Whao... Awesome!] Its really is a good catch and FREE! too although the event is by Invite-Only. Below are a some of the history of the Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company~

Korean Folk Dance Performance organized by Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company 

Introduction to Gyeonggi Provincial Dance Company

Performance History in Korea

Performance History Aboard

Being quite a Korean-fan person,  once a lifetime chances like this is definitely not to be missed. Its a great opportunity to see and experience the folk dance of the Korean culture. Now the main concern is getting the invite letter. The event is only 3 days away and I was afraid that invites would be closed by then as I'm guessing many would be interested since it doesn't cost a single penny. Nonetheless, I sent an email to request for the invitation letter for 4 people (without thinking who would go with me or how many would be interested enough to tag along since not all appreciate such events)... and guess what?! I found this in my Inbox the following day heh~

Received Invite-Only letter and who shall be my Associates eh?

Now the problem is who will my 3 'Associates' on that day >_< With little notice time, it didn't cross my mind to ask any of my friends who might be interested in such events but I did manage to coerce get 3 'Associates' with me ^-^

We arrived a little early on Saturday since seating should be on first-come-first-serve basis and also to get a quick bite before the performance begin. Arriving early, I was rather fascinated with the landscape of the Sentul Park which is where KLPAC is located. Although its my second time here, the last round when I came here was for a friend's performance and I only arrived after the skies grew dark. We did a little walking after securing really good seats.

With a scenic view, its suitable for family activities to evening recreation sports and there's loads of fishes + turtles to be feed

Lakeside Thai Cuisine located at the end of the part. Apparently, this place is recommended for its delicious Thai food over great ambiance but with a price

Must have narcissism and selfie shot

Always my partner in crime and one of my 'associates'

The other 2 associates which happen to be 내 고모 하고 엄마 [my aunt and mom] don't quite fancy being photographed. One was persuaded to come along while the shows a little interest toward cultural performances. 

Pentas 1 of KLPAC with colourful seats as a show of no discrimination in arts with the motto 'Arts for All'

The seating colors really made a difference as the whole stage atmosphere looks bright and cheerful. While my guests and I got front seats almost near the stage. There's also this brochure to do some light reading regarding the highlights of the performances.

Brieg introduction of the cast and company

History behind each folk dance that is to be performed tonight

Almost before the show begins *excited*

My thoughts:
Without any expectation toward what was coming, I really enjoyed myself throughout the show because it was something I have never seen before. What really amazes me is how each dance is related to a tradition of an event in the past or a celebration of harvest and how each dancer have so many different dance choreograph to remember and play and to dance whilst banging away the drums! The girl dancers all had pretty faces and hands so delicate I have nothing to say to myself. Mom told me it was a steal because cultural shows like this in Korea are rather pricey and for the same performances! The only thing I regret is that I didn't request for more people to bring. We should have invited our other family members too.

Its a shame no pictures were allowed throughout the performances and I could only retain as much memories my brain capacity would allow.The most enjoyable part is when they did the grand finale of the performance where we start seeing the whole cast gather to perform together with the main cast showing off his talent in cultural dance. Main cast is the one with the flowers~

The only shot I got for the night during the flower giving ceremony and the audiences gave these dancers a standing ovation

It was a great show and a YES for another Korean Cultural show!
p.s. I personally think this guy looks a wee bit like Micky Yoochun?

** Credits to Korean Embassy in Malaysia for snippets of A Thousand Year Inheritance Event and Thank you for the Invitation ☺

나요,

[Music ♫] ABRSM Exam but I'm No Pianist

*Blows dusts away*

오랜만이야~  

Its been some time since I've care to sit and update my blog since I got really busy with my final year project and then the upcoming piano examination which are probably just excuses I'm giving myself *whoops* Plus, I've just realize I have loads of backdated post to complete if I'm gonna intend to keep this blog as my personal timeline journal as well as to share my experiences. Need to learn how to keep a good time management to be efficient all the time already!

Hopefully I'd be able to find more time for blogging ^^

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Exam pieces by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)

The least ordinary event in my usually lazy Saturday is the Piano ABRSM Examination. To say that I'm not nervous or feeling sick from the inside is downright a lie. As time draws nearer the effect got so bad to the extend I'm having body aches due to all the stress from practicing day and night plus a little insomniac. It didn't get any better with the fact that I'm not getting much lessons from my music teacher due to our schedule clash and each day pass by with me practicing blindly + I really HATE scales really REALLY! These things that made my life miserable...!

Bits from Sonata in B by Soler

Bits from Minuet and Trio by Weber

Bits from Intermezzo in E flat by Brahms

Anyhow, these above are bits of the pieces I choose to play and they are my favorite parts too. In the ABRSM Examination, its been divided into sections namely Exam pieces, Scales, Sight-Reading and Aural. Early preparation is allowed for the pieces and scales while the other two sections are of spontaneous basis. The syllabus of the examination pieces will usually last for a term of 2 years divided into 3 sections and you'd have to pick a piece from each section since they represent different period of music. Scales on the other hand is usually compulsory for all sections. Sight-reading will usually test on your ability to prepare (in a scary 30seconds) and play a short piece of music that should include tempo, dynamics and song character. Finally, aural will usually test on singing, listening, tempo and music understanding. Sounds pretty tough right?

Its definitely a YES for me because I'm no music genius nor am I majoring in piano. Learning Yamaha Electone since young makes piano a challenge for me since the piano keys are harder and there's so much more to just note reading. You have to learn how to control your dynamics by hand, playing up to 5 notes at one time with one hand and gawd that hard piano keys, speed and ornamentation is a total huge obstacle for me and what more with pieces of different period: Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century to cover. For me who started out late, there isn't much time to be exposed to all these music genres yet alone to master in a few. Yet, its ironic to those who knows me as a Piano Teacher >_< 

Nerve-wreaking smile before the exams: Teacher gets nervous too~ 

My thoughts: 

The last round I took ABRSM Examinations is like what, 8 years ago?! But since I got it started, I shouldn't give up halfway and do decide to finish well. I took me almost a year plus to get prepared which is a long-term effort (with lotsa breaks in between as I'm always too busy with university or being lazy) but the examination only lasts for 30 minutes max! Moreover, its like a one-shot thing. No space for regret or turning back time. If a mistake is made you've kind of ruins your chances to get good grades which applies to me very much regretfully. Unlike in written examinations where you can crack your head and think before answering, its a No-No for practical exams. So instead of feeling like a whole load of burden is being shed off after what seem like the longest yet shortest 25 minutes of my life, the load multiplied incredibly. Sigh~ I guess I could only hope for the best. What's done is done... reality is such cruel that you can't turn back time.

Prawn Mee and Apple Lemon to comfort myself after my exams

Food is best when one is feeling down or needs motivation right? Had this in a nearby cafe in the Cosway building. Big thank you to those who cheered me on, my uncle for driving me and my aunt for the lunch treat.

나요,