Watching “Jump” is like savouring a sumptuous traditional Korean meal with a wide variety of dishes of various ingredients and tastes from spicy pork ribs to sour vegetables and sweet fruits, in a western-decorated restaurant. In the end, you realize that the combination of all is good for your health—both physical and mental.

Grandfather, a master of many forms of martial arts, heads a unique family comprising a father who is also a true family leader; a mother with an attitude—yes, they always fight; an alcoholic uncle who is the most ridiculed and often punished yet can fight better with each drop of whisky; and a daughter who balances beauty and strength. The first visitor is the son-in-law-to-be, looking nerdy in his glasses. But when someone take them off, all hell, I mean, all limbs break loose—yes, like the Hulk.

What a family!

Two burglars break into their home, and all family members join hands—and feet—in fending the intruders off. Unlucky them both; fortunate us all now that BEC-Tero Entertainment and Korean Tourism Organization have introduced us to “Jump”. Added to the vivid characterization are jaw-dropping movements of Tae Kwan Do, Tae Kyan, Kung Fu, Karate, Hapkido, other Asian martial arts including Thai boxing, and gymnastics plus stage acting, pantomime, physical comedy, spectacular lighting, timing-perfect sound effects, and pulsating music scores. They even repeat some of their movements in slow motion and rewinding modes, when they feel the audience cannot catch up.

What a mix, and what a show!

Like “Cookin’”, another “non-verbal performance” from Korea that was fringe theatre festivals’ favourite and enjoyed a long run off-Broadway, “Jump” is a modern and slick repackaging of Asian cultural show with simple plot that is filled with much wit, plentiful humour, and ample Asian sensibility. 

A unique show that cleverly balances the traditional and the modern and the artistic and the commercial, “Jump” is obviously aimed for international audiences, having been staged more than 3,000 times worldwide in the past six years. The performers speak much less than high jump, sharp kick, triple somersault, and put on irrelevant yet funny facial expressions after intense physical fights; and when they say something, it’s either in simple Thai or plain English. 

Book those seats on the ground floor as those on the grand stand are a little too far to enjoy them—sightline has always been a problem for this multi-purpose hall. Most importantly, bring your laughing jaws, and please make sure they can move continuously and, at times, ferociously. It’s the most fun you may have in 80 minutes at Paragon, apart from when the PAD rally moves there.

“Jump” performs tonight (Friday, June 20) at 7:30pm, tomorrow and Sunday at 2pm and 5pm. The venue is Royal Paragon Hall, 5^th floor of Siam Paragon (BTS: Siam). Tickets are from Bt 500 to 1,500 (premium ticket comes with a complimentary souvenir programme book, a good keepsake), available at Thaiticketmajor. Check out www.hijump.co.kr 

written by Pawit Mahasarinand

published in Daily Xpress on Friday, June 20, 2008

photo courtesy of BEC-Tero Entertainment