US hypnotist to present new show
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Hypnotist Gabriel Dye will perform at Camarata Studio in Seoul, Saturday. / Courtesy of Gabriel Dye
By John Redmond
American hypnotist Gabriel Dye will entertain guests at his new show at Camarata Studio in Haebangcheon (HBC), central Seoul, Saturday.
Dye, from Mansfield, Massachusetts, promises to give audiences a chance to “experience a mix of fascination and hilarity as the audience’s subconscious minds are put on full display,” as stated on his Facebook page.
“If you’ve never seen a stage hypnosis show live, prepare to have your mind blown,” he added.
After graduating from university, Dye came to Korea nine years ago, as he felt he wasn’t ready for a career in journalism, his major, working instead as a teacher for five years before taking his act to the stage.
The Korea Times spoke with Dye about his interest in hypnosis and the audience reactions.
Q: How did you get into hypnosis?
A:
We had a stage hypnotist at our senior grad night in high school and I was completely blown away. I immediately bought a book on the subject and started learning. My brother was nice enough to let me try it out on him, and within a few minutes, he couldn’t bend his arm, or say his own name. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Q: How many shows have you done here in Korea?
In Korea I've done six or seven ticketed shows. I tend to break it out at bars and birthday parties too. Once people catch wind that you’re a hypnotist, they want to experience it.
Q: How have audiences reacted to your shows?
They react with a mixture of fascination, laughter, awe, gasping, 500 questions at the end, and in one case, warning their friends not to go and see it because it was “too freaky.” It's not! While it can look like some sort of magic, it’s pure psychology. No one who volunteers is ever humiliated or made to do anything against their will.
Q: What are your plans for future performances?
My goal is to leave the audience as intrigued and empowered as possible, while reconsidering the limits of their own minds. I spend quite a bit of time researching and studying, so each performance has its own flavor.
I'll continue to do monthly shows in HBC open to the public, as well as performances for private functions (galas, fundraisers, etc.) as requests come in. This past January I went to Florida to help run a seminar teaching certain aspects of hypnosis and the business of hypnosis, and have plans to do the same seminar this summer in Germany and again in Florida.
The 90-minute performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and costs 10,000 won, which comes with a free drink (beer, wine or non-alcoholic options).
To get to Camarata Studio, go out exit 2 of Noksapyeong Station. Walk straight to the intersection, and veer left to HBC at the kimchi pots. Walk about 400 meters (about 5 minutes) to the Camarata Music Company Studio. Look for the white sign on your left, sandwiched between Camping Company and a CU convenience store. Jacoby’s Burger is directly across the street.
You can find videos of Dye’s previous shows on Facebook at Seoul Hypnosis Show, or visit GabrielDye.com.