My Japan Academic Tour

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#Japan #Tokyo #Winter

COOKIN' NANTA SHOW

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA 

What is Cooking Nanta? I asked myself.

Browsing in the web what else to do since I still have enough time in the evening to make my Seoul tour worthwhile. I was thinking, aside from food trip along Myeongdong, what else can I do on that same spot that would certify me that I really turned Korean for a short period of time. (https://www.instagram.com/globalnanta/)

Eureka! I found one.

Located in the UNESCO Building in Myeongdong, Nanta is a musical play without words. Cookin' Nanta has been one of the most popular shows in Korea, giving shows nightly for 21 years with different groups of entertainers. Celebrating their 21st Anniversary (since 1997) I chance upon to see the Green Group that night. (http://www.nanta.co.kr/)

Imagine the kitchen as the backdrop of the show, and in the hands of the performers transformed knives and other kitchen utensils into musical instruments, like what their introduction on voice-over have said "Like Jackie Chan". 

It is like watching a cooking show where the chefs are competing in a dumpling challenge for a surprise wedding ceremony. The musicality of the show lies on the beats of their kitchen equipments striking every corner of the kitchen most especially the chopping boards. The chopping boards will prove that they are using sharp knives because of the deep hollow marks in the middle of the boards. The vegetables are really being chopped and flying in the air. The musical show is kind of dangerous that is why I believe the group was trained to perfect their synchronicity in handling fire and sharp utensils.

It was an energetic, acrobatic and a comic spectacle. The beat of the "Drum Sequence" in the highlight of the show captured everyones attention that night, we want to ask for more but it seemed most of the audience knew that it was really THE END of the show.

Now I know what Nanta is, I highly recommend it to every Filipino to try watch the show before they leave Korea, it is worth watching and if you have kids with you bring them along. If you happen to have a Seoul Pass Card it will benefit you for a 20% discount.

Personal Experience

It was time for signing autographs by the actors, so I follow the line. Handshakes, smiles and selfies then one of the actors asked me: Are you from India? I said No, I am Filipino, Im from the Philippines. He answered: Oh! It is very rare we see you here. (I was thinking to answer him back - Well, I am a rare specie!) I just smiled.