"Our First Trip Together" MayTree Starts Musical Road Trip in Okcheon

The a cappella group MayTree has started a new musical journey in Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. The MayTree members chose Okcheon as the first destination for 'Travel Again', a road trip content series where they visit small to medium-sized provincial cities to walk through the regions, communicate with locals, and perform busking. This content captures the process of members getting to know each other, creating new music, and going to meet new people.

Exploring Okcheon Busking Spots, Selecting Okcheon Traditional Culture Experience Center

After arriving in Okcheon, the MayTree members searched for a place to perform busking. In the video, the members inspected the site near the Okcheon Traditional Culture Experience Center as a candidate location. The members toured the grassy areas and open spaces near the experience center to check the acoustic conditions and the width of the space. In particular, one member checked the resonance of the site, saying, "It seems like the sound will be heard well even if we perform without microphones." The members worked to find the optimal spot, considering the reverberation and width of the performance venue.

The busking time was discussed to be 6:30 PM, taking into account the users of the nearby youth training center and local residents leaving work. Having coordinated the performance time by considering the time local workers finish their shifts, the members decided to prepare a performance that utilizes the atmosphere and spatial characteristics of the Okcheon Traditional Culture Experience Center. The members continued their site exploration, planning a performance that harmonizes with local cultural elements, such as bead craft experiences or traditional instrument experiences near the Okcheon Traditional Culture Experience Center.

Enjoying Local Food at Regional Specialty 'Bikkot Dotori'

Before preparing for the performance, the members had time to taste the regional specialties of Okcheon. The members visited a restaurant called 'Bikkot Dotori' to sample menus filled with local characteristics. 'Bikkot' carries the meaning of rain that falls drop by drop when rain begins. In the video, various acorn dishes such as Hanwoo meat noodles, perilla seed bibim-guksu, Pyongyang bokburi cold noodles, and perilla oil bibim-guksu were introduced.

The members expressed their anticipation for the local food while checking the process of mixing the menus and tasting them. In particular, they experienced the food of Okcheon while conversing about the composition and taste of the acorn dishes. While eating, the members carried out their local schedule, such as discussing the expected number of spectators during the busking.

Excitement of the First Road Trip and Musical Connection

This journey holds more meaning as it is the first trip the MayTree members are taking together. During the movement, the members strengthened their bond by sharing past experiences of a cappella performances in Moscow, Russia, or playing games to check each other's sense of pitch. While in the moving vehicle, the members sang songs, showing that this road trip is more than just a simple trip, but a process of creating new music.

The members continued their musical connection even during the trip. By singing in the moving vehicle and at the site, they showed that this road trip is more than just a simple trip, but a process of creating new music. Through this Okcheon trip, MayTree has taken its first step in communicating with local residents through music.