We Did It!

The MP3 Experiment: Seoul Version 1.0

I am happy to say that Seoul's first MP3 experiment was totally awesome! Thank you to everyone who helped plan, spread the word, set up and document the experiment. Thanks especially to everyone who participated who made a simple experiment into an amazing experience!

When it started to rain early on Saturday, there was no doubt that it would clear up and everything would go well, mainly, because we had not set a rain date and we had no other choice.

Before we even made a plan for the event, Renae sent out a facebook invitation for it. She picked the day and convinced me to go with it. Altogether, the whole thing was created in 3 weeks.

Anyone who was there will receive an email for an official update for the next one. If you want to join the email list, send an email to:
mp3seoul@blogspot.com

Also send any pictures, videos, or comments you have about the experiment. Then can all be shared over this website. The only photos I have so far are my own and Jamie's. Some of his photos are on the blog. Click on the link to see the full album. A super special thanks goes out to Jamie, who gave up his mp3 player for a friend and took up his camera, for the good of all of us. Make sure to respect the Creative Commons license on all his photos.

There were two versions of the MP3, English and Korean, but after inquiring I don't think anyone was going alogn with the Korean Version. If I am wrong, send me an email.

Colin Cam:

This is the view from the slide right before I told everyone to come over. There were about 30 of us.


photo by: Jamie Carter


Everyone waited for the omnipotent voice while listening to"Rhubarb" by Aphex Twin.

During this relaxing music we:
-took some deep breaths
-walked around the park aimlessly
-smiled and waved hello

On the count of 3, we froze and the music switched over to "Hotel" by Broken Social Scene

photo by: Jamie Carter


It was fun to walk around to some funky music. In this picture, everyone participating is frozen. I had a hard time staying frozen. I definitely bobbed my head a little bit. The three guys in the front left of this picture weren't with us. The first time we all froze, they we all smiles.

During this rockin' track, we:
-walked and froze some more
-waved our hands in the air
photo by: Jamie Carter


-picked up one leg
photo by: Jamie Carter


-and, after doing all of them together...

photo by : Jamie Carter

We gave each other High Fives!!!! to "High 5 (Rock the Catskills)" by Beck
This song was used in the original MP3 Experiment by Improv Everywhere for high-fiving.

We listened to more instructions accompanied by "Basics of Cardiac Ausculation" by Richard Thomas.

The new instructions were to dance to the speed of the new song. If the music was sped up, we danced fast. If the music was slowed down, we danced in slow motion. When the music stopped we froze.

photo by Jamie Carter


The track was "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim. The group kept perfect movement speed to the erratic remix of the song.

After everyone froze...
Colin Cam:

When the slo-motion came to a stop, a lot of people found themselves in funny frozen positions. These two shared an mp3 player. Quite a few people there were sharing. Someone even joined in from the street on a participant's right stereo channel.

Then a slightly modified version of "USSR" by Slagsmålsklubben chimed in as we started to dance 'The Robot'. The song was slightly slowed down to maximize robot dancing action.



Then came: Tug of War!
Colin Cam:

Teams were split by birthdays and told not to let go until... uh, told.
I ran back quick before "The W.A.N.D." by The Flaming Lips started and the go was given.

photo by: Jamie Carter


Team 1!

photo by Jamie Carter:


Team 2!

There will be debates about what happened during that epic Tug of War match, but even with random drunk guys in the park jumping in on the action, people with certain birthdays were told to let go. All of those people were on Team 1. Therefore, Team 2 won! Besides, it's not whether you win or lose, it's if you look good trying, and Team 1 definitely looks gooood! (editor's note: I was on Team 1, Renae, who decided which team would win, was on Team 2.) Ok, Ok, Alright... so we alllll looked good! Drunk guy #1 swears it was a draw.


Everyone was stamped before the event. We found a like-stamped partner and played Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide the fate of the world.

photo by: Jamie Carter

The winners revealed clothe handkerchiefs from "Bin #1" that were to be used as blindfolds.

This all went down to "Queen Bee" by Medeski, Martin and Wood
rom the album: End of the World Party [Just in Case]

We played a trust game. The winners took the losers for a blind walk around the park.
This was accompanied by "Organized Chaos" by Stanton Moore

photos by Jamie Carter:



They were told to be nice but if they weren't, the tables were turned when the blindfold switched heads.


photos by: Jamie Carter












I <3 the Blindfold pictures!

And for finale... Bin #2 was popped open to reveal... Ribbon Dancers!
Some people were confused, some were overjoyed.
Everyone got a ribbon dancer!

I could not believe the immediate joy and recognition that came to peoples' faces when the last song "Magic Dance" by David Bowie from the movie The Labyrinth started to play.

The ribbon dancing was beautiful. We started in the park, then into the alleys and onto the streets!

photos by: Jamie Carter


















The goal was to lead everyone to the bar before the MP3 ended and said "I will leave you here at the doors of Tinpan..." There wasn't enough time. Some of us got there right before the track ended. Some people stayed back for a group photo.

photo by: Jamie Carter


This is all I managed to capture on video between organizing and enjoying myself. I hope people have something better.
Send photos, videos and comments to

mp3seoul@gmail.com





and the celebration continued in Tinpan 1!...

Colin Cam:




Ribbon Dancing on the dance floor = Awesome!



The number on question of the night: "When's the next one!?"
Plans are being made. The plot thickens...

People who signed the email list will receive notification soon, if you don't get one by Sunday, it is because you didn't sign the list, or you are one of the two emails that a drink got spilled on while it was at the table. We will remedy either situation if you send another email.

It's been a pleasure!

The MP3 Experiment in Seoul on 11/17/07 9p.m.!!!!!!

Click on the picture for a bigger size.
더 큰 크기를 원하시면 위에 있는 그림을 클릭하세요.

The MP3 is now available to Download!
-MP3 다운로드가 가능합니다.

Do Not Listen to the MP3 until we are all together on Saturday night!
I know you want to, but a lot of the fun of the MP3 experiment is the element of surprise!
It will be a lot more fun if you wait, but there is nothing we can do to stop you. Be Strong!
-물론, 많이 궁금하시고 이 음악을 듣고 싶으시다는걸 알지만, 토요일 저녁 9시까지 기다리신다면 더 즐겁고 놀아운 경험을 가지게 될 것입니다.

Follow the instructions below carefully. This is going to be a lot of fun!
-다음 사항을 잘 따라오세요..기대 이상의 즐거운 경험을 향해 가자구요.^^

To download the file, see below...

Click Picture for bigger size.
더 큰 크기를 원하시면 위에 있는 그림을 클릭하세요.


To download the English Version:
on a PC, right click the mouse and choose "Save Link As..."
on a Mac, hold down the "alt/option" key and click on the link.
**if you click on the link normally it will start the audio on a new webpage!**
**if you start it accidentally, just hit back and try again. resist the temptation to listen!**
MP3 Seoul (English Version) Save this file! Do not click it, it will start the audio!









To download the Korean Version:
-다운로드 한국어 버젼
on a PC, right click the mouse and choose "Save Link As..."
-마우스를 아래의 파란줄위에 놓으시고 오른쪽을 클릭하신후 다른 이름으로 대상 저장선택하셔서 컴퓨터에 저장하신 후 다운로드 받으세요.
on a Mac, hold down the "alt/option" key and click on the link.
-혹은, 맥 컴퓨터시라면, 키보드에서 Alt 키를 누르신 상태로 링크를 클릭하시면 저장하실 수 있습니다.
**if you click on the link normally it will start the audio on a new webpage!**
**if you start it accidentally, just hit back and try again. resist the temptation to listen!**
-만약 직접 링크를 클릭하시게 되면 다른 사이트로 이동하시게 되고 들으실수 없습니다.
MP3Seoul (Korean Version) Save this file! Do not click it, it will start the audio!

한국어버전을 다운로드 하기 위해서:
마우스 오른쪽클릭을


If you have trouble downloading the file, or have any questions, email us:
-만약 다운로드 받으실때 문제가 있으시거나 문의 사항이 있으시면 아래 메일로 연락 주세요 ^^

mp3seoul@gmail.com




Here are the instructions:
-절차를 알려드립니다.

Put the file on your MP3 Player or Burn it onto a CD and bring it to Hongdae on 11/17, 9p.m.
-우선, MP3에 음악을 다운 받으시거나 CD에 구으시고 11월 17일 저녁 9시 홍대공원으로 가지고 오세요.

Make sure that you have enough battery power! Expect it to take about 30 - 40 minutes
-약 40분정도의 음악을 즐길 수 있는 충분한 베터리가 있는지 확인하세요..^^

We are going to meet at the slide in the playground area at 9 pm! See Below for Directions!
-홍대공원 미끄럼틀이 있는 곳에서 모일 예정입니다. 위치를 확인하시고 오시면 도움이 됩니다.

There will be two people at the slide who will count down to "play" time!
- 그곳에 공연을 준비하는 두 사람이 있을거예요.

The count will be "3, 2, 1, PLAY!" On "PLAY", we will all press play on the MP3.
- 카운트 다운이 되면 MP3 음악을 가지고 신나게 놀아봅시다.

Make sure you have the right MP3 selected! The song is "MP3 Seoul (English/Korean version)" by the Artist: "MP3 Seoul" If you have an ipod shuffle or an mp3 player where you can't see the song names, only keep this file on it for the night.
-다운로드 받을 음악은 입니다. MP3 음악을 제대로 다운로드 받았는지 재확인하세요.

After you hit play and adjust the volume, Put the "Hold" button on so that you don't accidentally stop or skip the MP3!!!!!! If your MP3 player dies runs out of batteries or something similar and you can't hear the track anymore, just follow along and pretend there is nothing wrong! It will still be fun!
여러분이 볼륨을 조절하고 난후,.여러분이 그 MP3파일을 우연히 멈추거나 넘기지 못하도록 Hold버튼을 누르세요.
당신의 플레이어가 배터리가 나가거나 , 음악을 들을 수 없게되는 경우, 리더의 지시 사항을 따르시면서 다른 사람이 눈치채지 못하도록 이상이 없는것처럼 행동하세요. 좀 더 흥미로울 겁니다.

Thanks to Improv Everywhere
for the inspiration and the support (they put us on their website)
the idea to do this, a lot of the advice and technical things that we might not have thought about, (like pushing the "hold button") came from them!

The event is inspired by Improv Everywhere.
The group has done four MP3 Experiments.

이 행사는 Improv Everywhere 에 의해서 이루어 집니다. 이 그룹은 4개의 MP3 실험을 했습니다.

This MP3 experiment will have two MP3's:
An English version and a Korean version.

이번 MP3 실험은 2 가지 형식으로 진행할 것입니다 : 영어버전과 한국어버전

Come to the party and have some fun.
파티에 오셔서 즐거운 시간을 보내자 구요!!!




***Location/ Subway and walking directions***

We will be gathered in the main square in Hongdae (the same location of the Free Market on Saturday afternoons).

If taking the subway, take line 2 to Hongik University Station, and get off at exit 6.
Walk straight to the four-way intersection, and make a left. Continue until the end of the street. Make a right, and follow the uphill road on the right until you see Hongdae Playground, and a square with lots of people milling about.

See you there!

The MP3 Experiment in Seoul

Click on the picture for a bigger size.

더 큰 크기를 원하시면 위에 있는 그림을 클릭하세요.

To prevent the temptation of listening to the MP3 before the event, you will have to wait to download the file.

행사 시작 전에 MP3 파일을 미리 듣는 것을 막기 위해서, 여러분은 그 파일을 다운로드 하는데 기다려야 할 것입니다.

The download will be available on Wednesday, November 14, 2007!

다운로드가 가능한 시간은 11월 14일 2007년 수요일에 이용할 수 있습니다.

Come back to this website on Wednesday for more instructions and to download the file.

더 많은 정보를 원하시면 수요일 이 웹사이트에 돌아오셔서, 그 파일을 다운로드 하세요.

The event is inspired by Improv Everywhere.
The group has done four MP3 Experiments.

이 행사는 Improv Everywhere 에 의해서 이루어 집니다. 이 그룹은 4개의 MP3 실험을 했습니다.

This MP3 experiment will have two MP3's:
An English version and a Korean version.

이번 MP3 실험은 2 가지 형식으로 진행할 것입니다 : 영어버전과 한국어버전

Come to the party and have some fun.
파티에 오셔서 즐거운 시간을 보내자 구요!!!
Improv Everywhere


***Location/ Subway and walking directions***

We will be gathered in the main square in Hongdae (the same location of the Free Market on Saturday afternoons).

If taking the subway, take line 2 to Hongik University Station, and get off at exit 6.
Walk straight to the four-way intersection, and make a left. Continue until the end of the street. Make a right, and follow the uphill road on the right until you see Hongdae Playground, and a square with lots of people milling about.

See you there!