TechNomad

So the real purpose for today's trip was to see the show Jump with Hae Yeon. It was a good physical comedy with very few spoken lines, but thankfully for me they were actually in English. It's a simple love story set around a family that loves to practice martial arts together.

We were sitting in the front row as they were actually a bit cheaper. Halfway through the show, one of the characters comes off stage into the audience and looks around. Well, no surprise he looks at the only non-Korean there (me!) and says "Hello". He has me stand up in the aisle and "defend" myself from his fan strike. He then brings me up onto the stage as a challenge to another character. So after a great kick and a tumble, a third character comes to make sure we both aren't carrying any weapons. The actors knew enough English to whisper for me to not move as they discover that I'm carrying a hammer, and several other miscellaneous weapons, and a sword! So all the characters run to the far end of the stage and I see a stage hand behind them telling me to get the sword, which the characters then ask me to put down. So they declare me the Grand Master and give me a free booklet and handshakes as I return to my seat.

After the show, all the actors were signing autographs in the lobby. I had them sign my book and said "thank you" to each. I don't think any really knew much English. However, the actor I was actually standing opposite during the "martial arts showdown" said "Oh, it's the Grand Master!" as I approached for his autograph.

That was a fun show.