I must say I rather like the Korean Tourism Organisation's choice of ''cultural'' performance for the 50th anniversary celebration of diplomatic ties between Thailand and South Korea. The ''Korea Sparkling Roadshow'', featuring Jump, was commissioned, as expected, to ''promote tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries''. And thank God, they didn't bring something tacky or insipid, or both. Not to say that Jump, a martial arts comedy that has toured major cities of the world, doesn't have the tired ingredients of a tourist show _ the audience participation, the performers learning a few Thai words, you know the routine _ nor does it help cast off ''Asian'' stereotypes. However, the show is a blast. It's hilarious, shallow, unapologetically stupid and, I repeat, a blast.
What I find refreshing about this cultural offering is its complete lack of concern with propriety or moral virtue. Men accidentally kiss each other on the mouth; the horny mother chases after the unwilling father; the son-in-law flaunts his toned behind in a way that will make you blush (out of embarrassment for him); the flirty, selfish and immature uncle is a good-for-nothing drunk; and the characters just gratuitously kick the hell out of each other. Now imagine Thailand's cultural authorities bringing something like this to reflect our smiley peace-loving ''Thainess''. Right. The mother would probably have to end up being a nun and the uncle getting his soul redeemed in some way or another.
Originally conceived in 1999 under the title Crazy Family, Jump has little to do with families and doesn't have much of a story. Directed by Won-Kil Pack and Jun-Sang Lee, it combines taekwando, tae kyan, karate, acrobatics and gymnastics, and revolves around a family _ a grandfather, mother, father, uncle and daughter. The tough but beautiful daughter falls in love with a nerdy man, who, once his glasses are removed, turns into a narcissistic martial arts expert. One night, two burglars sneak into their house and chaos ensues as guns and swords are drawn and the light switch is tampered with.
The performers had impeccable comic timing and brimmed with energy and charm.
Not that its mindlessness, weak storyline and lack of pretension make it a great ''cultural'' show or a great production. What really is a good cultural show? And when a piece of performing arts is employed for the purpose of commercial cultural exchange and promotion, does it necessarily diminish its artistic respectability?
On that night though, Jump entertained indeed
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