Review JUMP To It!

By Nick Budniewski
Associate Editor & Writer

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Stage performance by JUMP actors at Haeundae Grand Hotel in Busan. The drama runs year round in Seoul and Busan.

The setting on stage is an old traditional Korean house. On top of the door, there is a sign that reads: "평범하게살자" which translates to "Live Normally" in English. The family in this show does not take this advice.

"JUMP", an action-packed non-verbal Korean performance, has been entertaining the world since its inception in 2003. Its riveting combination of the arts and athleticism makes this show a must see.

JUMP is produced by Yegam Theater Company; one of the first companies to specialize in non-verbal live performances. The show has JUMPed out of Seoul and landed in other parts of Korea and the rest of the world.

JUMP first came to the Busan scene in 2008. With an ensemble cast that any viewer could relate to, it has been enjoying tremendous success in South Korea's second biggest city.

The Busan show takes place at the luxurious Haeundae Grand Hotel. The theater is spacious, but small enough that any seat can be the best one in the house and not too far from the stage.

JUMP is a slapstick comedy, on so many different levels, that can be appreciated by any sense of humor. The story is easy to follow and makes you cackle so hard at times that your face hurts. It includes a cornucopia of love, laughs, kicks and licks that will keep you grinning for the rest of the day.

This exhilarating production combines a plethora of performing art's best components and all the aspects of a good show: martial arts, acrobatics, stunts, dance, romance and comedy; all encompassed by some impressive acting. It also swings numb chucks, swords, staffs and board breaking into the mix.

The remarkable thing about this performance is, not only does the show combine all these distinct forms of entertainment, but the performers are so well rounded in each of these aspects as well.

The level of dedication and practice they have assigned to their roles is clearly evident and truly impressive. Not only that, but it also reflects their natural skill and talent as performers.

The show is perfect for anyone; families, couples, children and Bruce Lee fans will not be disappointed. The fact that it is a nonverbal performance allows for a wide scope of audiences to enjoy it.

Yegam produced the act with no speaking so that anyone could see and understand the show. They did not want to have any barriers or restrictions with their audience.

The story follows a family of martial arts experts each with their own unique fighting talent. It seemingly resembles every dysfunctional family, only this one settles its differences with its fists, feet and anything else laying around on the floor.

Grandpa is by far the leader and no one can match his martial arts ability. He represents the rule, and the number one rule is don't make him angry. Also, don't be fooled by his age-he can still catch bullets with his teeth-and never be around when gramps hits his cane to the ground.

Drunken Uncle steals laughs from the crowd with crazy antics that spot on reflect the drunken uncle that all families have. This guy does, however, fight better bombed than Rocky does sober.

Mother and Father represent everything a romantic martial arts couple would be. They even manage to turn the tango into a combat dance duel, with passionate follies meant to represent true love, while father tries to release himself from mother's frisky grasp.

The beautiful and innocent daughter fools you at first, but later shows what is really underneath her sexy and innocuous defense after being provoked one too many times.

The family enjoys daily activities like training, cleaning, and beating each other up. Poor Drunken Uncle is always the target of their wrath, but it is not to say he doesn't deserve it

The most strangely unique character is the nerdy suitor, or visitor, who at first look does not stand a chance in this family. He actually turns out, however, to have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde complex (or more like Steve Urkel and Stefan Urquelle for those of you familiar with Family Matters).

On one hand, he is a timid and uncomfortable boy who has no luck with the ladies. On the other hand, when his coke bottle glasses come off, he turns into an overconfident, handsome, romantic heartthrob with fists of fury.

The audience watches the complex courtship between the daughter and the visitor unfold with both hilarious failures and unforeseen success, dotted with family intervention for better or worse.

At one point, a few members of the audience were pulled up on stage to be part of the show, which drew a chorus of laughter from the crowd.

One of the highlights of the performance was when one of the audience members, a foreigner, joined the family on stage for their daily training session. He ended up falling on his head while trying to do a backwards summersault handstand.

The story takes an interesting turn when two burglars-who are unlikely partners-show up to rob the house and get more than they bargained for.

A hilariously intense fight scene unfolds which includes a shocking electricity problem, a gun that keeps changing hands, and blackouts that result with confusion having the upper hand. While the family competes to be the one who saves the day, the burglars are left stupefied and scrambling to escape.

When the show is finished, the audience is treated to an impressive display of acrobatic skills, one of which includes two performers running up a 20 foot curved wall-yeah that's right, running up a wall-and doing a back flip from the top. You don't even have to try and comprehend why it is called JUMP. The show really speaks for itself.

Not many shows of this magnitude are capable of pulling off such an extremely funny and fast-paced live performance. Credit should go to the lighting and sound crew that could keep up and stay on cue with such a rigorous performance.

Although one of the most popular shows in Korea, JUMP has also enjoyed international success and acclaim.

It was No. 1 at the box office two years in a row at the Edinburg Fringe Festival and was also the recipient of the Comedy Award in 2006.

Jump made kicks at the Royal Variety Performance, a prestigious gala held annually in the United Kingdom, whose guest list includes some very important people, including members of the Royal Family.

It has also brought laughter and enchantment to the people of Europe, Asia and America, and even spent time off-Broadway in New York City. South America is next on the list, along with several other world-wide tours.

Taking the show international also gives the world a chance to see a bit of what Korea is all about. JUMP hints at several aspects of Korean culture-martial arts, family, comedy and romance-in a humorous way. What better a way to help expose Korea to the world community than through laughs and entertainment.

A ticket to the show not only buys you an hour and a half of hysterics and amazing stunts, but also supports the hardworking artists and swiftly growing performing arts community in Korea.

As JUMP continues to take the world by storm, Yegam Inc. hopes to get people lined up all across the globe to get a glimpse of this uproarious and thrilling performance.

JUMP Website: www.hijump.co.kr

 

Nick Budniewski, a journalist from America, serves as an associate editor and writer for The Seoul Times. For the last two years of his stay in Korea he worked as an writer, photographer, and an educator. He studied at the University of Purchase in New York City.