The fame of Paco, the Eiffel Tower vendor from Welcome, First Time in Korea, carried over to Jeonju hanok village.
On the episode of MBC every1 variety show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea' that aired on the 9th, scenes of Paco, Jamil and Max on the third day of their trip to Korea in Jeonju were revealed. Citizens appeared, addressing him familiarly with "Paco the Frenchman!", "Paco, why are you so handsome?" and Paco greeted them, saying "I came with my other French friends to visit. Thank you." People kept recognizing Paco and wanted to hand him anything they had in their hands.
Jamil marveled at the hanok village, saying, "This Jeonju hanok village is completely Paco's taste." Paco empathically asked, "Doesn't France also try to preserve tradition like this?" France's cultural heritage system has a rule that the 500 meters around medieval buildings should maintain similar exterior colors, and Jeonju hanok village also had parts enacted into law. Those measures were to protect the nation's cultural heritage, such as restricting English signage and banning franchise stores.
They naturally went to rent hanbok. Paco explained knowledgeably, "Do you know the meaning of hanbok? Hanbok is the Korean word 'han' and 'bok,' meaning 'clothing.' And the reason hanbok is diverse is that different classes have distinct clothing they can wear."
Paco then signed up for a course where he could learn pansori directly and visited the masters of the intangible cultural asset pansori. They lost track of time learning 'The Song of Love,' one of the most famous passages of Chunhyangga. Max, apparently moved by the deep resonance, asked the master, "Could you invite us to dinner?" Max said he preferred living like a local when traveling and that he had once worked as a fisherman during a trip to Greece.
Paco excitedly said, "If you see the meals Korean mothers prepare, you'll really meet Korea," and was delighted to see a table set with acorn jelly, japchae, dongchimi, bulgogi and salad. They ate with great enthusiasm, seemingly finding the flavors excellent. Max also asked the master's son about vocal techniques, asking, "Have you ever sung from a cliff-like place?" The son smiled and said of course, surprising the French visitors.
The master revealed the reason he took up pansori, saying, "I originally majored in art and went to a high school for the arts. But after hearing pansori, I changed my major. It moved my heart. I have been doing it since first year of high school." He then asked Paco why he wanted to learn pansori.
Paco said, "Just seeing the way you perform moved my heart," explaining he was drawn by a reasonless emotion, and Jamil carefully pinpointed the moving aspects, saying, "Personally I learned so much, the varied expression of emotions was moving, and for young people like me traditional music is unfamiliar, so learning it was even more moving." They were reluctant to part, holding onto sleeves and sharing a deep bond that went beyond a teacher-student relationship into friendship.
[photo source] MBC every1 variety show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea'
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