The Soprano Man
I took the bus from Seoul to Yeosu today. If the traffic is good, it’s about a five-hour ride. Fortunately for passengers such as myself, the buses now have satellite television. Unfortunately for passengers such as myself, the programming is lacking.
This evening’s treat was a KBS music program that parades a number of past-their-prime celebrities singing old hits, somewhat talented amateurs doing covers of songs, and other performers doing, well, unusual performances.
Meet the Soprano Man. I was awoken by his crooning. Eyes closed, I listened to who I thought was a woman singing opera. Upon opening my eyes, I realized that I’d stumbled across a post that may make The Party Pooper jealous. I jumped out of my seat and fumbled through my bag for my video camera. Unfortunately, by the time I was ready to film, the Soprano Man had finished his opera piece. But I was still able to capture his rendition of “Over the Rainbow”.
While watching the video, please keep in mind that I was sitting at the back of the bus and had to zoom in on the television, which accounts for the excessive movement of the camera everytime the bus went over a bump. Also, you might want to turn your speakers up a tiny little bit. (Only a little bit! God forbid anyone should catch you listening to this man.)
I, too, was a victim of satellite television on a bus this weekend. I rode from Seoul to Jeonju and back — three hours each way.
In the past, I’ve enjoyed the almost complete silence on long-distance buses here — interrupted only occasionally by an inconsiderate, self-important hand phone user.
However, this trip we were beseiged by an OCN action movie on the way down (three hours of that “slap” sound that is unique to poorly-dubbed fight scenes) and some inane Korean stuff on the way back.
I used to love Korean bus rides, but the ubiquitous noise pollution has seeped in.
Bitchin’ vibrato.
Kevin