By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter
Kong Myung-kyu has done various jobs during his 50 years of life. In the early 1980s, he taught taekwondo to Argentinean police forces and the Ecuadorian national squad. He then became a professional golfer, registering as a PGA tour member. During the last 10 years, however, he found himself devoted to another mission: spreading tango culture in Korea.
The nephew of Kong Ok-jin, a respected master of traditional Korean dance, such hereditary talent perhaps helped Kong Myung-kyu gain the title of the tango maestro while he was living in Argentina, the birthplace of the dramatic dance.
Back in his hometown, sowing the seeds has not been always easy. When he returned to South Korea in 1997, the nation was in the midst of the Asian financial crisis and his tango lessons did not fare well.
But his hard work and determination have recently been bearing fruit. In 2003, the Argentine Embassy in Seoul designated Kong as an ambassador for promoting tango. Now he is setting the stage to celebrate a decade of tango culture slowly taking root in Korea.
``Fever Tango,'' a program directed by Kong, features 12 dancers, including himself and 11 Argentine dancers. The six couples will stage dance acts divided into two parts, with the live music performed by six musicians also hailing from Argentina. Kong said the first part expresses the sorrow of an immigrant's life, while the second part, which includes his solo tango act, is focused on reconciliation and harmony.
``Fever Tango'' will hit the stage Sept. 4-9 at the Aram Theater of Goyang AramNuri Complex near Jeongbalsan Station on subway line No. 3. Tickets cost from 33,000 won to 77,000 won.
Fore more information, call (02) 6005-2155.