“Mr. Show” and the sexual liberation of women in South Korea
So one of my friends Nicole had a birthday this past weekend (Happy 32nd B-Day babe!) and like many in Korea, she is always up for fun and antics. She decided that the best way to do this was by going to what is quickly becoming an overwhelming popular show in South Korea, the “Mr. Show” show.
For those of you who don't know, Mr. Show is the equivalent of “Magic Mike” or Chippendales here in Korea. An all male revue, Mr. Show is geared exclusively towards women and even boasts the tagline “For ladies only”. For 70 minutes, 8 incredibly sexy guys dance, grind, and move across the stage, much to the delight of the women in the audience. If you’re one of the lucky ones, you may even get pulled on stage for a lovely lap dance!
Created by Kolleen Park in 2014, Mr. Show has been criticized for the sexually explicit content in what is still a rather conservative country. Things like public displays of affection are frowned upon for even the most committed of couples and displays of cleavage or bare shoulders are considered inappropriate or lewd even in hot weather. Some doubted the idea that Korean women were ready for a show like this because it meant stepping outside of the social norms put forth in Korean society and indulge in a few of the known but NEVER talked about fantasies that ALL women have.
In speaking with the Korean Herald in 2014, Park said of her show:
““The idea is for women to have fun, go home and laugh about it,” she explains. The absence of men makes it possible for the women to be themselves, without being anxious about what their boyfriends or husbands would think and having to act “properly.”“It alludes to the nakedness, sexuality. But it is very clean fun,” she adds, dismissing concerns that the show may be lewd.”
(http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140404001033)
Having never been to the show before I was really interested to see it. I had heard from a friend who had previously gone (and been lucky enough to have been pulled on stage) that it was exactly the kind of good clean fun one has on a girls night out.... you know.... Indulge in a little fantasy.
We got our tickets in the “Ladies Zone” which is right next to the stage allowing for more interaction with the guys. And by interaction I mean them leaning down from the stage to blow kisses, wink, and otherwise shower you with attention. Laugh and say “thats it???” all you want, but until you have a guy standing in front of you soaking wet like Noah in “The Notebook” showing you his 12 pack and giving you bedroom eyes, you are in NO position to tell me its not worth it!
I won't tell you what happens during the show (You have to go see it!) but I will say I had a great time and I would love to go again before their winter run is over. If you’re in the Seoul area be sure to check out the show. Its 19+ and tickets range from 60,000- 80,000 korean won and it runs till December 4th.
