Nowadays, various performances are approaching our normal lives and the quality of these performance has improved day by day.
There are no doubts that the strong effects of Korean-Wave spiked upour quality of performance to world class level.
The performance in show culture is a totally combination form of art which requires well organized co-operation works between musicians, directors, audiences, stage effects and promotions. Recently, so many performances have come to the Korean audiences and our Korean performers are having many chances at stages overseas too.
I met Mr Paul,Hui, one of the top show performances planner in USA, the president of the Hui Entertainment Company, he is still trying to upgrade show stage quality.
The performance is not only about the show but is also a tool to comfort our longingness or anticipation deep in our minds.
Q: Can you introduce yourself?
A: I am Paul Hui and operate Hui Entertainment. It has been so long since I did anything else so there is not a lot to explain about myself in a different way. Long ago, I used to operate SAT Academy here and in Korea and worked as a lecturer.
Q: I am little curious as to how you entered this business?
A: In 1985, I was the chairman of Korean Students at UCI and during this period, by chance, I participated in invited the singer Lee Moon Sae, and at that time, I had deep emotions. After years passed on and in 2013, I commenced business with Byun JinSup's performance.
Q: Well, what are your main activities and what makes your company unique?
A: Until now, we have completed over 50 more stage shows and we are working as a planner company for Korean ceremonial affairs. And now we are operating a production company. We are doing our best to concentrate working on possibility and perfection not on greed.
Q: Actually, I had some cases where even after the tickets are sold, the stage shows cancelled or in some cases, the quality of the stage shows was too low.
A: Yes, I think the stage show from the beginning to the end is linked with credibility. This extends to the planner of stage show, performer and audiences. Watching USA stage shows from Korea, they all seemed full of mistrust. Of course, such was the same case of mistrust from the audiences.
Q: Then, how did you manage to differentiate your compared to the past ones?
A: In my case, when I invite one musician from Korea. I visit Korea at least 3-4 times for meetings. In meetings, we discuss in detail and parepare all schedules and plans in advance. Also, to avoid any problems, we have set up our own website and prepared a data base in which we can survey the popular singers and favorite songs fin Korean in USA.
Q: In my opinion, when I watched many shows of your Hui Entertainment, they seem to focus on healing and solaces.
A: Yes, it's true. We focus on such points mainly. Actually, before the level of our culture in Korean immigrant society was quite dry. It was difficult for the 1st generation to fit into the mainstream culture but even after they acquired economic stability, problems in communicating with their children, isolation between generations and lack of cultural minds got in the way.
So, we are trying to provide an opportunity for all family members in all ages to unite.
Q: Well, it seems such things will act as a bridge between all generations. I think since a few years ago, some broadcasting companies have provided music entertainment programs which can act as a bridge between different generations, don’t you think so?
A: These might be effective when old singers singnew singers’ songs and new singers sing old songs.
Q: Really, there are so many topics on Korean-Wave everywhere and talks about its effects, I think you will be feeling this effect more than others?
A: Frankly speaking, living in USA, I did not feelit strongly. However, after the big hit, Gangnam Style by PSY, we could see the direct effects. And now, the BTS group's power is immense. Also, our stage shows are increasing foreign audiences ievery time with the Korean Wave.
Q: What are your expectations on direction and targets for Korean Wave in the future?
A: I think there are 3 main flows in the Korean Wave; athletics, brands, and musics and these values are not transferable. As immigrants living in places far way from our home country, these values will bring huge pride to them.
However, I want to say that now we need one more up-grade on music in Korean-Wave. Recently I asked to the youngsters in 2nd and 3rd generation what is the most attractive point about BTS?
They replied “music is just so good". The biggest condition in this answer is the Korean nationality. But, I like to say that from now one we need to take off the Korean tags and need to approach from the nature of music.
Q: I agree and therefore, learning foreign languages to a certain level is badly needed. What is the difference between the main American concerts and Korean concerts?
A: The big difference might be the lack of free-tickets system in American show stages. The result of a completed performance can be evaluated by profits and based on this measure, we can say it was a success or not. Therefore, free-tickets are directly related to this result. Free tickets do not exist in American stage shows. This will raise quality in performance and audiences will enjoy more.
Also, most American musicians on tours are allowed their personal time for their own music activity and during long tour, they could meet and talk with their fans. But Korean musicians are more related to the commercial side on advertisements, drama, talk shows and other entertainment programs. With these types ofsituations, they will be blocked from concentrating on music.
I wonder if thesecircumstances are what makes musical life spans short. Recently, I watched "Bohemian Rhapsody", which is very popular in Korea. In this movie, many people are delighted and not bored of these very old songs. It is very envious.
Q: Yes, I agree a lot with these comments that Korean trends in our culture are rapidly changing and lack long range viewing. These cause early aging. Do you have any plans or hopes for the New Year?
A: First of all, I hope for successful performances in the coming New Year and would like to have US Tour in co-operation with other states. Also, we will try to have a talk show regarding currently issues, not only musical performances.
Especially, we want to have a stage show where we can help deliver wisdom of our old generation to the young generation. And we plan to expand to create diverse ways for this “return to society” project using our variety and pursue more meaningful things.
* 《쿨투라》 2019년 2월호(통권 56호) *
