Tell me a story and tell the truth

By Agnes Yu

It was after dark on Sept. 25 and the restaurant/lounge Berlin was full to capacity. Everyone in the room was rapt. Their attention was focused on the engaging and entertaining storytellers who bravely stood up and spoke for about five minutes each on the central theme, ‘What am I doing here?’

Without using notes, six individuals from various backgrounds in turn told a story about an incident at some point in their lives during which they came to ask themselves the very question.

From a yurt in Mongolia, to the shores of the Caribbean, to an English classroom in Seoul, highlights included cat hair, career changes and finding same-sex love. The anecdotes described how the person ended up in an uncertain place or predicament and what happened afterwards. The event was the first in a live storytelling series called Axis.

Preparing to repeat the evening at the same venue is the organizer Richard Scott-Ashe, the man behind the monologues. Here in Seoul as a broadcaster slash freelance writer, Scott-Ashe is currently a news anchor for KBS World TV and a live radio show host for EBS. On the side he introduces the art of storytelling.

Inspired by podcasts like “The Moth” or “Risk” the process involves posting a theme on the facebook page. People submit a synopsis of a story that they would like to tell sharing this common thread. Then one evening in front of a room full of friends and strangers, live storytelling takes place.

In an email, Scott-Ashe wrote, ``The concept fascinates me. It feels like the world is getting more truthful with the proliferation of social media and citizen journalism, as people have greater access to information and are more willing to provide personal details about their own lives. At least, we're getting a closer approximation of the truth. People are opening up more and there's less artifice. The true storytelling trend comes out of that shift, I think.’’

He went on to explain, ``that's why it's called Axis, I feel like the truth is the `axis’ that everything else rotates around.’’

For the second installment the topic is ‘Turning Point’ and will take place on Sunday starting at 7 p.m. Attendees can anticipate more gripping true tales, these on moments of transition that are “hilarious, moving, shocking, heartbreaking or just entirely inappropriate.”

Entry is free and the events are for charity. Proceeds from the upcoming one will go to the UNHCR for famine relief in Somalia.

There is also a draw at the end of the evening with many enviable prizes such as restaurant gift certificates.

Berlin is located on the western end of Itaewon, call 02-749-0903 for directions.

For more information on Axis or to submit your story idea email axisstories@gmail.com.