A ‘Flash mob’ is an expression derived from ‘Smart mob’, which means a group who behaves with the same thoughts. A flash mob is where many people decide when they will meet and where they will meet by sending text messages or making phone calls. They flock to the place where they decided to meet and individually disperse after doing designed behaviors. In the past, flash mobs were just entertainment among people. However, nowadays, there are various styles of flash mobs for conveying specific messages to the public.
  Flash mobs can be found in the movies. In the movie ‘Step Up 4: Revolution’, there are flash mob dance performances by the dancing group ‘The Mob’. ‘The Mob’ does flash mob dances for the purpose of receiving 100,000 dollars. Their flash mob performances become more gorgeous throughout the movie. They show a sense of tension through their performances.
  The representative flash mob in Korea is the Korean national anthem flash mob that was done at Ssamzigil in Insa-dong last year. This flash mob was started by one foreigner’s comment that he couldn’t hear the Korean national anthem or the song ‘Arirang’, which represents Korea, even though he went to Ssamzigil in Insa-dong. After his words, Korean students flocked voluntarily and made a flash mob for commemorating the anniversary of the Samil Independence Movement. In France, where K-pop is booming, flash mobs also happen. Psy did a flash mob with the song ‘Gangnam Style’ in front of 20,000 people in Trocadero as the song became really famous in France.
  Flash mobs happen in different styles, and among them, the major style is dancing together after flocking to a specific site. Other styles of flash mobs are yelling in downtowns, singing in front of many people, and a crowd disappearing suddenly after clapping.
  Flash mobs are a culture where a lot of people can enjoy activities together and are popular not only in Korea but also in other countries. They can happen with famous songs like ‘Gangnam Style’ by Psy or representative songs of a country like the flash mob in Insa-dong. Also, it can be a better memory than just dancing together or acting in a similar fashion. If people want to make a special memory with friends, a flash mob can be a good memory.
 

By Kim Ji-won

jw34@cbnu.ac.kr