The Contenders

Kristie and I are going to be on a Korean game show this week.

When I arrived here, I found a Jeopardy rip-off on an English-speaking Korean channel. It’s called "The Contenders," and it pits English speakers against other English speakers in a trivia contest. Kristie and I joked about how funny it would be to appear on the show. After a few more viewings, I found the entry form online, and, last week, we received an email to come to Seoul.

This past Friday, we went for the pre-taping interview. We had to fill out forms, listen to the rules, and take a test. Now, we return to Seoul this Tuesday for the taping at 11:30 am.

It’s all pretty funny to us. While the show is in English and the questions are similar to American shows, there is cheesiness in it, as the hosts speak in almost-good English with the guests.

Example:

Host: “This “boy” had his start in London nightclubs before gaining popularity with such hits as “I’ll Tumble for You” and “Karma Chameleon.”

Player: “Boy George.”

Host: “Yes, that is correct. Did you ever listen to Boy George’s music? Is that how you knew that answer?”

Player: “Not really.”

Co-Host: “I come from the generation that listened to Boy George, so I did listen to him.”

[uncomfortable silence, as the four players and the host gently nod waiting for the co-host to end this torturous coming-of-age story so play can resume.]

Kristie and I are a team, facing one other team. If we will, we get a trip to Juju Island in Korea. If we win a second time that day, we win a trip to Japan.

There is a portion of the game where one of us has to get the other to say a password. We had the chance to pick our category from a list for the taping. On it, there was “Fairy Tales,” “Mountains,” “Water,” and “80’s Movies.” My heart jumped a beat to be on national television and receiving due credit for my extensive knowledge on 80’s movies.

There is a small crack in the firmament, though: Kristie.

As you know, my dear wife was doing many other important things in that time rather than simply watching movies, so her knowledge on the matter is a bit hazy. Therefore, this weekend has been a crash course in the revered time in the film age, 1980-1989. I put up pictures of Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall around the house. I have flowcharts of Daniel Russo’s karate moves taped to the bathroom mirror. I wrote a short dissertation on the contrasting elements of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Porky’s. I have reenacted Tom Cruise’s underwear slide to the theme of “Old Time Rock n’ Roll” several times now. I think the kid is ready.

Whether we win or not, this is one of those fun Korean moments that we will remember. And, we receive 60,000 won each for simply appearing. I will hold back the exchange rate, just so you can wonder…

Taping is Monday at 6:30 pm, PST. Think about us, won’t you? Channel your inner-eighties Kristie’s way.

The Contenders Site:
http://www.arirang.co.kr/english/programs/contenders/intro.asp

My Blog:
http://coia.blogspot.com

Kristie’s Blog (she has cool pictures)
http://kristiecoia.blogspot.com