The Olympics are a time to highlight the uniting of all nations under one roof, and that specific roof is that of the Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea for the Olympics Opening Ceremony.
This year’s Olympic Opening Ceremony in Pyeongchang on Friday, Feb. 9 was definitely not as dramatic as Queen Elizabeth II jumping out of a helicopter during the London Summer Games back in 2012, but this year’s ceremony was meaningful and electric.
The theme was “Peace in Motion” and the entire set was made to look like a winter wonderland. The entire production was overseen by executive producer Yang Jung-woong and actor-producer Song Seung-whan.
It kicked off with five Korean school children exploring an ice cave where they discovered animals that have a special connection to Korea. The white tiger, which represents strength and trust, brought them to the Olympic Stadium where they saw the tiger emerge upon the world stage operated by black-clad dancers.
Phoenixes, elk, bears and horses then frolicked onto the stage with Inmyeonjo, or “human-faced bird” and dancers gracefully illuminating the stadium and putting on a beautiful, memorable show.
The special effects really made the performance unlike past ceremonies as synchronized patterns, amplified by the camerawork, stressed dynamic diagonal lines and circular or rippling motions.
Viewers also got to learn the story of the yin-yang symbol and how it made its way onto the South Korean flag.
The Parade of Nations is always a highlight of the ceremony as all of the delegations for every country represented in the Olympics walks in sporting their nation’s colors and gear.
Although the USA has the largest delegation, the country who stole the show was the small Pacific island-nation, Tonga, who had the dubbed “shirtless Tongan flag bearer” lathered in oil.
He appeared in the Rio 2016 Olympics but it was more shocking to see him this time around shirtless in the cold Korea weather.
Another person sitting in some of the spotlight was Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong who sat in for her brother as the representative for North Korea since the North and South united as one Korea for the games.
This years’ opening ceremony was a memorable one and was an electric kickoff to the games.
The Summer Games in Tokyo have a lot to live up to.
