KMK: HI Seoul Non Verbal Festival

This fall the Hi Seoul Festival focuses on Nonverbal performances. Artists from across the globe have been gathered to bring Seoullites the magic and beauty of their artistry. From the far flung reaches of Eastern Europe, the shores of Australia and the Canadian wilderness no corner went unturned in brining the most talented and interesting acts for the city to discover.

The Festival runs from October second to the tenth and takes place in and around Yeouido Hangang Park, Banpo Hangang Park, Gwanghwamun Square, Cheonggye Plaza and Seoul Plaza. For a complete schedule of performance times and dates please check out the HI Seoul website.

Billed as a street dance performance the trio of Volver performed their piece Looking Back. The three hail from France. Their dramatic performance centered on a triangle lover affair complete with spurned lovers and overwrought sentimentality. They really wrung every ounce of drama out the act which was all performed on stilts with flowing fabrics and a cut out wooden mirror device.

The Second act I saw was Faunemes, another French group that took on a more comedic flair than their compatriots. They interacted much more with the crowds in a sort of clown alien invasion from the stars sort of way. They utilized horns, buzzers, and kazoo like instruments in their curious interactions with onlookers.

The Australian duo of Erth put on their performance of Insects. Dressed as giant insects they took to the streets surrounding Cheonggye Plaza to interact with the pedestrians. The reactions ranged from smirks to smiles to stares and confusing shakes of the head.

The Cheonggyecheon festival combined with the Hi Seoul festival also exhibited works along the stream billed as Installation Art: Color stream flowing over Cheonggyecheon Stream. Some of the works include:

Mysterious by Jang Sun a

Here huge ribbons of colored cloth are tied together in a knot over the stream and branch off into direction directions while also dropping down into the stream itself to be carried away by the current.

Strange by Lee Han-su

A giant alien face made of fur dominates one side of the walkway.

Delightful by Hang San Jin

Here a long colored poster board covers the length of the wall. Graffiti has been sprayed, painted, and splashed on the board with tools for passerby to add their own graffiti art to the piece.

Sublime by Lee Gi Il

showcases huge blown up photos of Cheoggyecheon stream from its first inception to today, depicting citizens enjoying themselves in the space.

Poignant by Kitsuna Miwa

Here the image of the artist interacts with the audience through the use of colored ribbons that can be tied to the metal framework.

If you missed the festival, fear not, the Hi Seoul festivities happen every season. The Winter festival should be just around the corner!

Yeouido Hangang Park

Subway line 5 Yeouinaru Station Exit 2

Banpo Hangang Park

Subway line 3, 7, 9 Express Bus exit 8-1 or 8-2

Subway line 4 Dongjak Station exit 1 or 2

Subway Line 9 Sinbanpo Station exit 1

Downtown Locations