Pyeongchang 2018 Closing Ceremony Verdicts & Reviews

[anthonyliberatori]

I enjoyed the Closing, much more than the Opening to be honest. While I did keep my expectations a little lower, because SK is not high-tech China or historically eloquent to a Westerner as the Russians, I was pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed the ceremonies as a whole. I got chills numbers of times during the closing ceremony, I felt the segments were much more interesting than the first. They also had the live drones instead of the recorded ones so I did enjoy that. I also enjoyed less of a reliance on pre-recorded videos that the Opening Ceremony had. Soohorang was cute, probably my favorite mascot from any Olympics, and the KPop was amazing. EXO seemed to use the layout of the stadium and the seatback LED pads to their advantage and it really added to the overall show. Can't knock the Koreans, they really went out with a bang. Good for them honestly, they did not disappoint. 

 

Beijing's handover was great. Still think I love the Athens 2004 one a little bit more, because it was much less high-tech and to me had a much larger wow-factor (maybe because it was China finally showing itself to the whole world like this for the first time), but it was still enjoyable. I'm questioning the presence of whales in the handover though that were projected on the ground, Beijing is landlocked???? and dry???? But all in all, I loved it. I'm hoping the pandas are adapted as the mascot. Maybe not as scary-looking, but I would enjoy a panda as the mascot. Overall, very optimistic for Beijing! Loved the "Welcome to/See you in Beijing" segment, I liked the emphasis on winter sports in China as well. Something they need to start building now so it's popular by 2022.

 

Gotta keep my ceremony review short and simple so I can go all out for my full Games verdict later tonight 

[JMarkSnow2012]

3 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

I don't really see what the bells (London and PC) do.  

I stand by my theory that London's big bell was a hint about ceremonies following the artistic template introduced to the Olympics by the Nazis in 1936.

And PyeongChang's would be a hint that the far East is the place to be if you want proper big bells.

3 hours ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Paris' Handover segment will depend on what stage Tokyo will give them.  But because it's going to be in a T&F stadium, and unless Paris employs 500 or so performers, they will have to rely on projections to fill out that big space.  

For Toky's 2020 Opening, I don't think there's much they can do, since it's going to be the T&F stadium, other than a small, raised platform, with perhaps some risers.  Remember, Agenda 2020 is in effect, so the IOC will also be asking hosts to cut down their Ceremonial budgets (not unless everything, Ceremonies-wise services, will be volunteered free.)  . 

Unless the athletes get seats among the audience for the Tokyo CC, the performance space may well not be very big.

As for the cost of Opening Ceremonies: don't forget that they command the highest ticket prices. Beijing probably undercharged by a substantial margin; Rio messed up in almost every way possible (massively reducing the stadium capacity for the city set, but still not selling out); I think Tokyo is perfectly capable of emulating London and attracting a good crowd at premium prices. The London OC almost certainly made a healthy profit, and left stadium spectators feeling that they got value for money- cutting the budget too much risks losing the second half of that equation.

[baron-pierreIV]

19 minutes ago, JMarkSnow2012 said:

: don't forget that they command the highest ticket prices. Beijing probably undercharged by a substantial margin; Rio messed up in almost every way possible (massively reducing the stadium capacity for the city set, but still not selling out); I think Tokyo is perfectly capable of emulating London and attracting a good crowd at premium prices. The London OC almost certainly made a healthy profit, and left stadium spectators feeling that they got value for money- cutting the budget too much risks losing the second half of that equation.

Just checked my list.  Indeed London 2012 still stands at having the MOST EXPENSIVE Opening and Closing tickets ever (top tier: US$3,727 and US$2,797 respectively).  3rd - Sochi's Opening @ $1,828* 

4th - PC 2018 Opening (US$1,625);

5th - Sochi's Closing (@ US$1,379) rounds out the Top 5 Most Expensively priced Ceremonial tickets, thus far.   

These were how the tix were priced for a US-based buyer.   

*I'd say that's the one I would've felt that I got my money's worth if I had shed that many ducats to see it live. 

(I think I saw OC top ticket projections for LA 2028 @ US$3,500.)   

[PikyoK]

I liked the Closing Ceremony, I loved how it was fast-paced and how it featured K-Pop and contemporary Korean Art. The drones were awesome and I liked how Soohorang and Hodori marched in together.

The Beijing 2022 Handover was well-presented. I liked how the LED Pandas drew ornaments and how the came to the centre of the stage inviting everyone to Beijing.
The ending was fabulous with Martin Garrix playing hit songs and the big snowglobe in the middle.

Overall: 8/10

See You In Tokyo

[JMarkSnow2012]

1 hour ago, baron-pierreIV said:

London 2012 still stands at having the MOST EXPENSIVE Opening and Closing tickets ever (top tier: US$3,727 and US$2,797 respectively).  3rd - Sochi's Opening @ $1,828* 

4th - PC 2018 Opening (US$1,625);

5th - Sochi's Closing (@ US$1,379) rounds out the Top 5 Most Expensively priced Ceremonial tickets, thus far.   

These were how the tix were priced for a US-based buyer.   

Ironically, London's 4,000 cheap tickets, at £20.12 (? $37.27) were cheaper than Rio's lowest-priced (200 Reais / $61) !

[baron-pierreIV]

32 minutes ago, PikyoK said:

.
The ending was fabulous with Martin Garrix playing hit songs and the big snowglobe in the middle.
 

Yeah, what exactly happened to that big Snowglobe in the gift box?   Did anything spectacular come from the thing?  (I must'v e missed it.)  

I guess I gotta watch the entire thing unedited.  

Edited February 26, 2018 by baron-pierreIV

[baron-pierreIV]

Just re-watched an unedited, natural-sound version.  I guess NBC didn't cut out much, except for the Awards for the last X-country races & the presentation of the 2 new Athlete Comissioners & a big Thank You to the Volunteers; the speech of the OCOG chef in Korean (who needs that?).  

OK, use of pick-up trucks & vehicles -- who alerted me?  Nope, this isn't the second time.  London revived the practice starting with their red double-decker in Beijing and then a whole fleet of trucks, trailers, vans, etc., to bring out the Spicy Girls in the Closing.  Sochi had all those Lada's, tanks, etc., in their big Proletariat Society number in the Opening.  Atlanta 1996 was sooooooo way ahead of its time in terms of innovative Ceremonial ideas!!  So, using 4-wheeled vehicles is now de rigeur for Closings!! 

One major protocol change I noticed.  The Olympic flag is no longer given the long, ponderous exit out (like when it's first brought in @ Opening.  Seems they just fold it away now and that's it.)  I guess that just leaves the iconic under-the-flag camera shot for the Opening walk-in.  Also, the flame isn't extinguished right after the IOC president declares the Games closed.  It lingers until the party begins.  

Edited February 27, 2018 by baron-pierreIV

[Citizen-Seth]

I thought the closing was actually quite nice - short and to the point. I'm rarely a fan of closing ceremonies, with Sochi being the only truly enjoyable one that comes to mind. I hope we'll see floor projections being retired for a few cycles. Have to say, I think the K-Pop segment with the kid on the guitar is one of my favorite Olympic music moments. I have no idea what was going on, but I was really into it. 

[PikyoK]

Opening Ceremony with choice of commentary: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/playback/opening-ceremony-1/

Other Pyeongchang 2018 Replays: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/events/pyeongchang-2018/

[baron-pierreIV]

42 minutes ago, PikyoK said:

Opening Ceremony with choice of commentary: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/playback/opening-ceremony-1/

Other Pyeongchang 2018 Replays: https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/events/pyeongchang-2018/

Problem with those Olympic channel viewings is that you have to kill your Ad-Blocker, as I was required to do to watch their PC 2018 Closing version.  

[Sir Rols]

Okay, finally watched it now.

Hmmmm. What can I say? Well, floor projections can look pretty cool and all. And there were some particularly good ones in this show. But it all starts to blur and get a bit same-ish. I want to see something new and different. Bring back the bombast and big props.

That is all. 

[Nacholympic]

Two days after, I was able to watch the Closing... 

It continues the tendence that has been given since London which is the Closing Ceremony is sometimes (or even) better than the Opening Ceremony...

There were spectaculaar moments such as the led pagodas, the turtle segment and the a little psychodelic "time" segment.... 

Demostration of how modern Korea is and how it embraces the present future and traditions all together...

I really liked since segments sometimes seemed to be prepared for the Opening...

The drones again seemed so arificial made for the TV...

I expected a uch greater K Pop celebrations (A la London 2012) but I think it was precise...

The handover again almost stole the complete show, as Tokyo 2020 handover in Rio,. It was quite spectacular, I loved the Pandas, led screens and the projections sequences on the floor: clever, colorful... they took the maximum advantage of the resources available.. We can ecpect another great show for 2022 for the Winter Games in the Bird Nest.

In summary, it was a very good ceremony where, again simplicity, good taste and talent were the stars of the show...

Well Done Korea Thanks for such beautiful Olympics!