Variety show offers comedy, music, magic to help overcome tragedy in Itaewon

A poster for the "11.18 for 10.29" event being held this Friday to raise funds to help bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the Oct. 29 crowd disaster in Itaewon / Courtesy of Kristen Pimley

By Rory Kelly

Many cultural events in Seoul were canceled following the tragedy in Itaewon on Oct. 29, as a sign of respect for those lost and to give the populace time to mourn.

However, cultural events can also have the capacity to heal and one event, titled "11.18 for 10.29," is intended to do just that. All proceeds from the show, to be held at The Studio HBC this Friday, will be put towards helping the families who lost their loved ones in the crowd disaster.

A variety show, it features two bands, a magician and four comedians. Organizers promised that no jokes will be made about the Halloween tragedy. Seeking to give people solace but also to show the families of those affected that "there is a community who are ready to support them," Kris James, one of the show's organizers, thinks that art "can help people cope."

James stresses that he didn't have to go looking for performers or business sponsors. "As soon as word got out…there was an outpouring of people who wanted to help," he said.

"I want to once again walk along the streets and not feel the heaviness of the tragedy but instead hope for the future," said Kristen Pimley, one of the organizers who will be performing stand-up. She described Itaewon as a "melting pot" where people who are far from home make a "surrogate family;" this is why so many people want to help, she posited. "If a loss happens to one of us, it is experienced by all of us," she said. As a comic, she felt she could best help by using her platform to give hope and raise money.

Kristen Pimley, left, and Kris James / Courtesy of Curtis File

One of the businesses that immediately volunteered was Nordic Frost, a coffee company. Nordic Frost was already working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, helping to raise money for the repatriation of the bodies of foreign victims. It was one of the first businesses in Seoul to respond and, at the time of writing this article, the only one with official government support.

Nordic Frost CEO Joshua Hall said his company didn't just want to help, they "felt obligated" to do so. He spoke positively of the community in Itaewon and the surrounding area, and how people are coming together. "When something like this happens, people feel an intense personal connection," he said, adding that the high volume of foreign donations Nordic Frost has received was a sign of "people's desire to help."

Ryan Goessl, the owner of The Studio HBC, has also been helping raise funds for the bereaved families. "It is important for us to be sympathetic, supportive and loving for all of the victims and their families," he said, while emphasizing the need to recover and have consideration for the neighborhood.

Also sponsoring the show is Vivi's Veggies, whose owner, Vivien Cho, said she felt a responsibility to help in any way she can since her business is located in the area and she personally knows people who have suffered loss and trauma. "The fact that many of those who lost their lives were young adults and even teens makes this very tragic," she said.

Robbie Nguyen, co-owner of Southside Parlor which is sponsoring the event, thinks an event featuring comedy can help people come to terms with the tragedy. "Laughter and pockets of happiness are important components in the mourning process," he said.

Ian Ashworth, the owner of Vineworks, a wine bar in Hapjeong-dong which is also a sponsor, cited the uniqueness of Itaewon as one of the reasons he wanted to help, calling the area "the heart of the Seoul nightlife experience."

Waller said that the "decent" thing to do is help and that he couldn't help but want to provide for people going through a difficult time.

All three cited the importance of the area to the foreign community in Seoul, and how its close-knit nature ensures that people will offer one another support and solidarity.

Many of those interviewed say they hope people will also keep in mind the local companies affected by the tragedy.

Pimley wants Itaewon stores, restaurants and bars to "survive and eventually thrive."

"We need to continue moving forward, and support businesses," Goessl emphasized when asked how Itaewon can recover. "A lot of people's lives are being made difficult, and a lot of businesses face being shut down."

Hall, who mentioned how the pandemic has already impacted the neighborhood, hopes people will keep visiting Itaewon and not "penalize" the area, especially "workers who are just trying to make a living."

Cho is also worried about the area being blamed and people and businesses suffering as a result. "This kind of unexpected tragedy could have happened anywhere," she stressed.

As with any tragedy, people react differently and the responses are often instinctual. Many within the local community find themselves naturally drawn towards helping the victims without question.

When asked why they wanted to organize the show, Pimley said, "Not helping was not an option," and James answered, "It felt like it needed to happen."

The show, hosted by James, will feature the bands Lotus Root and the Jonny Birds, magician J Rong and comedians Pimley, Kenneth Drennan, Arthur Minsu and Yonas Tewelde.

Doors open at 8 p.m. on Nov. 18 at The Studio HBC. Tickets are 10,000 won and can be purchased at the door, with all proceeds, including ticket and coffee sales, going to families affected by the disaster. Visit fb.com/thestudioHBC for more information or contact Kristen Pimley on Instagram @kristenpimley. If you wish to donate but cannot attend, visit gofundme.com/itaewon-tragedy-fundraiser for Nordic Frost's fundraiser campaign.

Rory Kelly is a writer, actor, improviser and stand-up comedian based in Seoul. He's also often spotted not quite winning pub quizzes in the Itaewon area. Find him on Twitter @rorywritesstuff.