Written by Dann Gaymer
Downtown Daegu. A myriad of designer boutiques fraternized by young Korean girls in hot pants and high heels, noraebang karaoke bars, pulsing neon signs. Amongst all of this lies the Playstation Café, an altar to video game entertainment systems where patrons can revel in the fluorescent glow of pixelated sub realities.
Stalled somewhere between an arcade and a cyber café, it sits somewhere near to a “PC Room”: a subculture of Korean youths whiling away their free time in rooms filled with hi-spec PC’s, playing online games like World of Warcraft, chain smoking and consuming copious quantities of soft drinks. The PC Room subculture is so prevalent that foreigners working as English Teachers in the numerous hagwons soon learn that asking their male teenage pupils what they did on the weekend is pointless, as the answer is invariably:
“Study, sleep, PC Room.”
As the name suggests, the Playstation Café is a little different in that there are no PC’s for public use inside, only Playstation 2 consoles. Behind the front desk sits a wall of titles and a bored looking attendant. Descending down the stairs, you emerge into a long room where cool air washes around, spilling down from the mammoth AC units humming overhead. On either side, enormous flat screen televisions sag on the walls, caged in by boardroom style desks and ultra padded reclining chairs. Each screen, desk and associated set of chairs is partitioned off from the next by a few silver pipes and dangling cables and while one wall follows this pseudo-futurist theme, the opposing wall takes an almost Classical Greek aesthetic, complete with plaster columns and earthenware pots. Little attention is paid to the décor, however, as the teenage clientele almost always have their eyes glued to the screens. Like their fathers may well do in the skyscrapers owned by companies such LG and Samsung, they sit around big tables in deluxe padded chairs. Yet they do not discuss the company’s stock value, the strength of the Won or the annual report they are due to deliver. In fact, they discuss nothing at all, as most of the outward expressions they make are through the actions they command on the screens above. Despite the wall of games behind the front desk have more than enough selections to choose from, (shoot em’ ups, beat em’ ups, etc) on every screen it is the same story: simulations of Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry belting goals into the back of nets to rapturous computer generated applause.
Strangely enough, there is not a Playstation 3 in sight, instead, the consoles are exclusively Playstation 2’s, black slabs of plastic turned on their sides, quietly humming away, processing data and generating the images sent out of the screens. The graphics the console produces could be considered obsolete, if only for the cardboard cut out spectators that line the radioactive-green pitch. On the other hand, I suppose the graphics give an almost ‘cult’ value to the games and as the enduring popularity of the Street Fighter series (until recently an entirely 2D animated affair), game play easily wins over graphics, time and time again.
Here on a humid Sunday night, every screen is being used while smoke wafts upwards into the vents between the buzzing AC units, faces cast in a strange green hue by the light flooding out from the on-screen action. Ashtrays fill up rapidly, can after can of Dr. Pepper is sucked dry, twitching eyeballs pinned to the glow. Most of the screens are muted, all the commentary that is needed is given by the teenage boys grouped around, whilst cheers or cries of anguish erupt with every goal. Much like in real life minor league football, especially five-a-side, the audience are the participants in the performance; direct interaction, no division between watchers and watched. All the excitement and cold rushes of adrenaline are there, the verbal responses, gasps of joy or bitter criticism of the virtual referee. Anybody with their eyes closed may actually believe they are at an actual football match, if it were not for the lack of smells and tastes. There is no poignant smell of wet grass or split larger, only stale cigarette smoke and spilt soft drinks.
The main question that sprung to my mind is, why come downtown to play Playstation 2 games? I am willing to bet these kids all own PS2’s and if they do not they could easily pick one up for dirt cheap in this part of the world, what with it being an outmoded console and all. Yet this is assuming that the only reason they are coming to the PS Café is for the consoles and the games. This would overlook the other vital ingredient of the clientele, the other teenage Koreans. There is, after all, limited fun to be had competing against a computer (and essentially against yourself). Here, somewhat of a competitive aspect arises; groups of teenagers can come together and flex their muscles in this public arena (the muscles in their fingers, of course, but more than anything, flexing their brains and reflexes). There is a complete engagement with the simulation, after all, if you cannot actually be five thousand miles away playing for Real Madrid, then you can do the next best thing and prove yourself as a formidable presence on the pitch, in the comfort of a padded office chair in an air conditioned room.
Who knows? In certain circles, this reality may even be considered superior.
Culture Tips: Koreans refer to Playstation cafes as ‘플스방’ (pron. ‘puhl-suh bahng’), which is short form pronunciation for ‘Playstation Bang (room)’. Often you can find PCs and Playstations co-existing in one PC bang or sometimes you can find a 플스방 dedicated only to Playstations. The below map shows two locations, where both playstations and PCs are under the same roof. Please note that Megaweb is directly below Burger King, so best way to get there is to go the ATMs to the right of the stairwell that leads up to Bennigan’s, and then once by the ATMs, look for the stairwell or elevator to the right leading down to the PC bang.
English movies playing for the rest of the month at Dongseong Art Hall (there are also non-English films being played with Korean subs):
The U.S. vs. John Lennon is a 2006 documentary film about British musician John Lennon’s transformation from a member of The Beatles to a rallying anti-war activist striving for world peace during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film also details the attempts by the United States government under President Richard Nixon to silence him. The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. It was released in New York City and Los Angeles, California on 15 September 2006, and had a nationwide release on 29 September. A soundtrack composed of John Lennon tracks was released by Capitol Records and EMI on 26 September 2006. From Wikipedia.
The film is set in New York City where a woman in her late thirties has little luck finding love until she meets Julian, a quirky Frenchman, who sweeps her off her feet and opens her eyes to a lot more than love. The film screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. From Wikipedia.
This past month, Daegu has created designated swimming areas of the Sincheon river for families seeking to escape the heat and spend time together. The two recreation areas just south of Yongdu Bridge, which for those of you who know the river well, is the last southern bridge before you start heading out of town to Herb Hillz and Spa Valley. Not the big one that connects you to Apsan Beltway, but the next smaller one after that, that connects you to Suseong Lake. There’s one swimming area on the river right by Padong Elementary School and then further down by Daeja-Yeon Apartments.
Translated by Yelim Kim.
Proofed and edited by Craig White.
Just noticed that the following English (w/ Korean subtitles) movies are playing at Dongseong Art Hall, this week.
The results of the rainy season are helping make for a fine rafting season in Gyeongbuk province and the rest of Korea. Daegu Rafting will be holding regular rafting camps, an hour and a half north of the city in Bonghwa-gun. Bookings can be made by calling their Daegu office at 053-783-5565.
At a Lexus car dealership located in Jisan-dong, Daegu, they offer something other than just the standard display of cars. As I sit down on a chair, a receptionist takes my order. I choose one of the ten kinds of drinks and it is promptly served. This little cafe offers not only a place to relax with a drink, but also a service area that is comfortable enough for casual conversation. In contrast, the fifth floor of this building is a gallery. The gallery has a full-time curator and holds approximately 10 special exhibitions annually; many local artists visit here for other reasons than just cars.
The age where a car dealership is only to sell cars, is gone. Many foreign car dealerships now offer an atmosphere where it stimulates car owners’ tasteful lifestyles and displays a positive image of the company.
The Lexus store manager, Hwang Byung-geon, says that this change is brought about by the effort of the company to maximize word-of-mouth advertising and downplay the consideration of customers as simply being the source of a sale; by promoting various cultural and artistic events, it can convert customers’ old impressions of car dealerships and create a fun and amiable place to visit.
The store also holds concerts, caricature drawing artists, wine-tasting classes, make-up shows, and recently held a racing model contest.
The Audi dealership in Suseong-gu has two very different museums, in itself. The third floor displays over three thousands items that reach from East to West, and old to new. Human nature, animals, architecture, and many other interesting objects are exhibited; the Queen of England, American cartoon characters, Russian churches, and many unusual items can also be seen. The whole collection has been compiled by the store president, Kim Dae-gon, throughout the past 25 years of shopping at antique, accessory, souvenir, and street shops.
There is even a phonograph museum. It displays items that were even before Edison’s time and features seven thousands discs. It is famous for having a woodhorn speaker, which is one of only two in existance in South Korea. The speaker is famous for its pure and original sound. The museum area sometimes transforms into a concert hall, three or four times a year.
Hanyoung Art Center has become a place for both car shoppers and regular citizens. Kindergarten students visit here as a group and many average people visit when there is a concert. Hanyoung Motors department manager, Kim Sang-il, says “especially when there is a concert, many new and possible future customers show up and even present customers are glad to be invited.”
The Honda dealership offers a customer center with a female-only rest area where women can do personal needs, such as adding their make-up, a conference room that is open to the public, and a small golf putting area.
Source article from Maeil Ilbo. Translation by Lee Joon-yeob
Preview: World Bodypainting Festival 2008
Since 1998, Europe’s most colourful event has taken place in Seeboden, Austria.
The “World Bodypainting Festival” is the largest Art event in the Bodypainting theme and spreads the art form to thousands of interested visitors each year.
Now, the Festival is expanding with a vibrant and dedicated team in South Korea to host a second event.
The World Bodypainting Festival, with the Asian Awards will be held in the World Cup Stadium, in Daegu from August 25 – 31, 2008 for the first time. Much of what people know from the main event in Austria will be carried on in Daegu.
The Festival-Academy organizes workshops from August 25-28 at Daegu Health College, that are sponsored or presented by our partners. Only the best in their professions teach the classes. And because you never finish learning, the workshops offer possibilities not only for beginners, also for advanced artists to further their knowledge. Group arrangements for schools can be organized on request.
The Festival-Academy offers classes in the areas of bodypainting, airbrush bodypainting, facepainting, special effects, beauty make-up, uv effects as well as photography and more.
The evenings are full of socializing as well as a major highlight on Wednesday, August 27th, with the ‘BodyCircus’, a costumed fantasy ball in the new Novotel Hotel in downtown. Guests will be arriving in costumes ranging from bodypainting, body decoration and masks, to extreme make-up and fantasy fashion. International DJ’s, shows, costume prizes and entertainment will guarantee a magic night. The ‘BodyCircus’ promises to be an evening of magic, of pushing boundaries and of letting imagination run free.
The Bob Dylan biopic, ‘I’m Not There‘ is playing until July 10 at Dongseong Art Hall.
With a 3-4 year development plan and an expected finish date of 2012, the city plans to create a ‘Safari’ in southeast Daegu, near Daegu Grand Park. This effectively would become the 2nd largest zoo in Korea, after the big one in Daejeon (and if you exclude the one in Everland). The city would be merging its current half-assed one at Dalseong Park, with the new, bigger one. In addition to the 300+ animals being moved over, would be an additional 200+ new animals for the zoo, plus a mock safari ride running through a park of lions, tigers, giraffes, etc…, not unlike the safari ride at the zoo in Daejeon. With the big waterpark also being discussed for the same area, the Daegu Grand Park vicinity is really starting to become hot.
The famous classical music ensemble ‘Ditto’ is coming to Daegu on June 21 and will be playing at 7pm in the Grand Hall at the Daegu Cultural Center for Students. The group consists of a collection of some of the very best Korean-American classical musicians, who will be captivating audiences with the works of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. They play all over the world and their tour through these parts was a sell-out, last year, and is sure to be a big hit once again. Tickets go for 30-50,000 won. Tickets can be bought be calling: 대구학생문화센터 운영부 550-7117~8 or 티켓링크 1588-7890
Program
Mozart_ duos for violin and viola G major K.423
-Stefan Jackiw (Vn2) / Richard Yongjae O’Neill(Va)
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Rondeau, Allegro
Beethoven_ String Quartet No. 9 in C major, Op. 59, No. 3, “Rasumovsky”
-Johnny Lee (Vn1) / Stefan Jackiw (Vn2) / Richard Yongjae O’Neill(Va) / Patick Jee(VC)
I. Introduzione: Andante con moto – Allegro vivace
II. Andante con moto quasi allegretto
III. Menuetto: Grazioso
IV. Allegro molto
INTERVAL
Schubert_ Trout Quintet
-Dong-hyek , Lim (Pf) /Stefan Jackiw (Vn) / Richard Yongjae O’Neill(Va) / Patick Jee(VC) / Min-jae , Sung (CB)
I. Allegro vivace
II. Andante
III. Scherzo: Presto
IV. Thema With Variations: Andantino
V. Finale: Allegro giusto
