Haribo Kimchi

This Perth Festival offering, Haribo Kimchi, is a curious blend of autobiographical monologue, clever projection, and the smell of Korean cooking, which is consumed and enjoyed by two lucky audience members.

Opening with a audiovisual ‘tour’ of big city Korea (we find out eventually it is Seoul), we find ourselves in a back lane peppered with roadside eateries, a tent on stage opens up to reveal a mini restaurant, and two audience members are invited to sit and eat. 

Performer/ director/ writer/ designer Jaha Koo uses the aroma and familiarity of Korean cooking as a link to “home” as he takes us on his journey of trying to make a home in various places around the world. A beautiful and dynamic story teller, his life story is told in a mixture of English and (surtitled) Korean, as he cooks and also describes the culinary experience.

The projections are stunning, including beautiful geographic shots and a scattering of whimsy as we encounter singing snails, gummy bears and eels.
Easy to watch, this very personal tale is educational and funny and a very pleasant way to spend an evening.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Bea Borgers