AN OPENING FOR THE AGES

The opening ceremony to  Pyeongchang’s Winter Olympics was beyond expectations. You could even say it was ‘pyeong expectations’. The ceremony combined cinematics, technology, and puppeteering into one intrucat spectacle. Five young children took the audience on a journey through Korea’s history. As ancient animal spirits guided the children, they were gliding around the stage. The animal puppets looked as though they were a combination of modern technology and the ancient Earth. In fact, director Song Seung-whan wanted the relationship between nature and man to be the main focus of the ceremony, so a peaceful message of coexistence was portrayed through the performance. To solidify this message,  North and South Korea came together as a united Korea, sporting light blue and white flags while walking out as one in the Parade of Nations. While this act implemented some controversy, most praise this act for giving hope towards a peaceful existence with the North.

Before the parade of nations, the Olympic torch had to be lit. South Korean golfer Inbee Park started the relay around the stadium, handing the torch to not one, but two people. Chung Su-hyon of North Korea and Park Jong-ah of South Korea accepted the torch as members of the United Korea’s women’s hockey team. After a steep climb of stairs, the torch was passed to none other than the South Korean ice skater, Yuna Kim. The Olympic torch came to life as it assumed the flame. The 2018 Winter Olympics have sparked into action after 2 long years of anticipation.