Korean cuisine is appreciated around the world, and Cookin', the South Korean percussion and performance phenomenon, will likely generate an equally broad appeal. The group's first appearance in Taiwan was at the Taipei Arts International Festival (
Cookin', which first hit stages in Korea in 1997, is based on an original combination of a number of seemingly incompatible ingredients. Fundamental to the show is traditional Korean drumming, which is combined with slapstick comedy, improvisation and rock `n' roll, creating something of a theatrical miracle, which has logged over 1,000 performances to date.
The simple story of four chefs and a restaurant manager trying to prepare a meal carries the audience through nearly 80 minutes of performance with rarely a dull moment. There is virtually no dialogue, performers relying on body language, gibberish and their incomparable skills as percussionists. Comparisons with the popular group Stomp, which visited Taiwan in October, are inevitable, but Lee Min-sun, the company manager of Cookin', said that the main difference is in the existence of a story and the more sophisticated use of props.
Cookin' was the brainchild of South Korean TV personality Song Seung-whan, who created the show in the belief that the future of theater lies in non-verbal communication. The show is now performed by five teams, which alternately tour internationally or domestically, or work on new programs at the group's home theater.
The team visiting Taiwan on this occasion is the Red Team -- there is also a blue, white, gold and black team. The colors were selected from the South Korean flag, and the 41-week tour schedule which is taking the troupe throughout Europe and Asia, makes this very much a cultural mission from South Korea to the world.
Even the use of four chefs is significant, as they represent the four instruments of a traditional Korean ensemble called a samulnori.
But although the fundamentals draw on tradition, there is nothing hidebound about Cookin'. "It is the first time anything like this has been done in Korea," said Kim Tang-il, who plays the part of head chef. An actor before joining Cookin', he said that he had to learn much of the traditional rhythms of the show from scratch. Chun Sung-jin, another of the chefs, on the other hand, has over 10 years' experience in traditional Korean music.
Troupe members said acrobatic and improvisational skills were the most essential qualities during auditions. Physical stamina is obviously also needed to keep up with the performance's almost non-stop action. Although they have been together for over a year, Kim and his fellow chefs say they do not get bored with the show.
"It is constantly changing," he said, with on-stage elements that reflect the place and time they perform. For Taiwan, a Christmas theme will be incorporated into the story.
"The whole thing is an extremely creative process," Kim said.
Although five troupes and its own theater in Seoul might seem more than enough for a single show, Cookin' is expecting to grow further, with plans to recruit foreigners into new touring troupes.
Unlike Stomp, which has diversified its act through the creation of international troupes, Lee said that currently the performances of all five troupes are relatively uniform.
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